2007 CS pic's/article

[Mustanger]

Here it is:

http://www.thechromepony.com/News-01-18-06.html

Although the author doesn't seem too friendly towards the CS 'Stang, the article has a couple of pic's and info on the CS features. Cool...

 

[PNewitt]

I suggest that everyone go look at this article first..then....here is my e-mailed response to "Chrome Pony.com":

------------------

Dear Sirs:

> early February), then devoting resources to this CS variant is a waste of
> time. If sales fall, the CS edition may be a step in the right direction -
> however lame. In every message board discussion of possible future Mustang
> editions, I just can't recall anybody saying "I'm going to wait until they
> resurrect the California Special."
>
> But then, perhaps Ford's product planners don't frequent the same boards as we do.

I'm not sure what you mean as "lame", but there are VERY MANY GT/CS owners and enthusiasts (as well as 900 members in my GT/CS Registry) that question your tone about the GT/CS in your latest review.

I guess you've never been to the www.californiaspecial.com website forums. Or you may have missed the latest Barret-Jackson Auction, where a 1968 GT/CS went for $49K.

You also might get a look at the latest Motor Trend "Classics" article about the Shelby "Green Hornet" that I wrote about in Shelby American (SAAC).

Paul M. Newitt
GT/CS Registrar
Author: GT/California Special Recogniton Guide and Owner's Manual

--------------

...you are all "welcome to write to them" at: info@thechromepony.com

 

[Mosesatm]

If you write to him please do so without any name calling. We need to prove that we have more class than he could ever hope for.

Back to the pictures....

Ouch, that is a pathetic little side scoop! :nonono2:

 

[PNewitt]

Of course, I totally agree with Arlie.

Paul N.

 

[Mosesatm]

Unfortunately, I must agree with the author on one point.

From a business point of view it seems strange to release a special model of a hot-selling car. It might be a better plan to hold onto the special model until sales start to slip then roll it out.

I don't know how well the Mustang is selling right now. Does anyone know if the GTs are still flying off the lots as soon as they arrive?

 

[PNewitt]

I think that Ford marketing for the Mustang is aiming at the boomer market, and their plan is to make a lot of options and limited editions for the coming years, regardless of sales being up or down within certain quarters. In some ways, right now, the Mustang is "Ford's saving grace".

As you may remember, the original CS was a marketing plan to offset lagging sales from other musclecars and the Cougar--as well as the Nov '67 strike.

I don't know if those in power in the Ford marketing dept. are fully aware of the GT/CS' heritage (not that they need to), but it's interesting for at least their doing it. I would market the '07 CS as a "looks like a Shelby GT", as an affordable price alternative.

As for my reaction, I get my feathers ruffled when I see owner's pride stepped on. I've appreciated years of letters from owners that love their GT/CS (and HCS), and then I see less-than-flattering comments, I get "paternalistic". The CS is not all about horsepower--it's about image, and looks. I applaud Ford for doing a looks-only Mustang, because not everyone wants a big V8 (with today's price of gas). I'm still waiting for a Hybrid Mustang ASAP, too!

Paul N.

 

[case12]

I'm still waiting for a Hybrid Mustang ASAP, too!

Paul N.

ugh! I can see it coming - Mustang II hybrids. I am not ready for that cycle to begin yet (or again, for those of us who were there the first time). Casey

 

[L8GR868]

I'm interested in buying the new CS. It would go great with my original. Are there any more pictures to look at its got my attention.
Eric

 

[Mosesatm]

I agree, and I'm glad they are releasing it because if it looks half way decent I'll seriously think about buying one, as many of us on this site may.

But from a purely business point of view spending the money to release a special model must significantly increase profits or it should not be released until it can, if it can.

The only thing I can think of is that if the Mustang is still a hot-selling car Ford must not be as interested in increasing sales as much as they are interested in increasing the average revenue per sale. If they get a lot of people who were going to buy the base car to go with the more expensive GT/CS, bingo, increased profits.

From a selfish point of view I hope it bombs so I'll have one of the few but for Ford's sake I hope it's a huge success.

If it bombs do they stop making special editions or do they immediately release the Boss or Mach 1 to see if a more well known name works better?

Has anyone gone to the Boss or Mach 1 websites? The posters on those sites are thoroughly torqued that the GT/CS was chosen first!

Another somewhat unrelated random thought:
Ford doesn't have a reasonably priced high performance car so they can power up the Mustang to the max. GM, on the other hand, is going to have a little problem with the Camaro. They need to somehow make sure they don't tempt potential Corvette puchasers into downgrading. That would be another nail in GMs coffin.

 

[Mosesatm]

ugh! I can see it coming - Mustang II hybrids. I am not ready for that cycle to begin yet (or again, for those of us who were there the first time). Casey

I don't know Casey, as long as they don't make the car look like a hybrid I would love a hybrid Mustang.

Hybrid technology can be added to any car since it's basically nothing but an electric motor that drives the car until the batteries runs out of juice, then the gas engine kicks in. The batteries recharge every time the brakes are applied. As long as I can switch off the electric motor when I want sign me up. It would be great for putzing around in the city. Imagine a hybrid 500hp Shelby. I can see numerous ways to mess with people's minds with that!

 

[calspcl]

Here is some more hype from another forum. They hyperlink BlueOvalnews.com that discusses Bosses and Mach releases of the new resto mustang.
http://www.allfordmustangs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=43533

I am certainly interested in trading in my 05 V-6 mustang for 07 GT/CS if it ever happens.


Like Don said, I guess we need to pay special attention to the super bowl comercials...

 

[PNewitt]

Here is an update to the e-mail I'd sent. Don Roy of "The Chrome Pony" clarified his comments, and I greatly appreciate his support. I have to agree with him about how Ford (SVT?) should take a closer look to the original for the '07 GT/CS. I still personally would prefer a dual-louvered type of hood, instead of the '65 Shelby looking hood scoop they are trying to use. I also like the WIDER taillights (as posted here, on a hypo late model Mustang) My Thanks to Don for writing back to me:

"Dear Paul:

Ah... so you were the other one that read the article.

First of all, no insult was intended to any current or former GT/CS
owners.

As far as "lame" goes, the current information on the upcoming CS
edition suggests that it is a far cry from doing justice to the
previous one. That step, by Ford, in defining the new car as what
amounts to a "stripe and scoop" package is - in my opinion - pretty
lame. Sorry if you do not agree.

You are right that I have not previously visited your forums. That lack
of knowledge and foresight has now been resolved.

You and your members are to be congratulated on your enthusiasm and
dedication to preserving knowledge of this special edition Mustang.

Best regards... Don"


Don Roy, Publisher
The Chrome Pony

 

[PNewitt]

Hi again....here is my response. Setting everything straight:



Hi Don,

I totally agree with your comments--sorry for how I reacted. I obviously misread what you said in the original article. A member of the www.californiaspecial.com forums found your site, and posted the URL for us to see.

The folks that own GT/CS and HCS Mustangs are a very proud bunch.

I think that Ford (SVT?) should get a closer look and appreciation of what the enthusiasts like, and appreciate. I also think that those who are doing the designing are perhaps too "young" to know really what these cars were like back then. One of my best contacts for researching the GT/CS was Fred Goodell that was a great guy who was Shelby's chief engineer from 1966-70. He was the kind of guy who would ask the AirForce to borrow an F4 Phantom ejector seat--to make (work from) the retractable shoulder harnesses for the '67 Shelby roll bar.

Those days are over, and it's a shame. Ford would do well to get a closer look at what they're working from. I think they are more concerned about carving out THEIR own mark, than to honor the Mustang & Shelby heritage.

I don't like the '65 Shelby type hoodscoop on the '07 CS. A "Shelby GT-500" inspired hood with the louvered scoops would have been better, and I think they made the side scoops too narrow (to put the CS stripe logo on it). "Someone" makes a wider taillight for the '05-'07, that looks like a '65 T-Bird taillight, and the rear spoiler should NOT be a wing, but a ducktail type--WITH complementary stripes, like the original GT/CS. After all, they did follow the Mach 1 stripe design fairly well on the '04. Perhaps the aftermarket will pick up the ball where SVT drops it with this limited edition version.

If this car is marketed as a "more reasonable" alternative to the GT-500, it might catch on. I don't know how a car with "California" on it will sell in every state of the country (for possible political reasons). We'll just see.

In any case, I've stated how I'll extend my GT/CS Registry to the '07 version. The registry members will welcome any and all owners.

Thank you for writing back,

Paul M. Newitt
GT/CS Registrar."

 

[Mosesatm]

Nice job Paul. I agree with your comments on the new GT/CS. It looks like they missed the boat on this one. I think this car has better scoops.

 

[68gt390]

Arlie;
I have to agree with you on that one. I'm sorry but, from what I've seen so far on the new GT/CS, I'm disappointed. I look at my 68 CS and Look at the 07 and everything about it just looks backwards to me. Ford still has time to make some changes and hopefully they will. I won't hold my breath though.
As Paul said it's image and to me the 07 CS has none. Still I am gald that they at least are making an attempt to appease the masses. To me the way they did the stripes just looks totally wrong. They could of at least put the stripe on to resemble the 68 logo. See below pics.

Don

 

[miller511]

I think they did the stripe with the "GT/CS" up on the front fender because it wouldn't fit on the narrow side scoop.
Overall, not what I was hoping it would look like. Maybe they'll offer it in a 5.4 liter?

 

[luisa2552]

I have to agree from what I've seen I'm disappointed. It would have looked better with a ducktail. What about the rear lights? Does anyone know what they look like? I sure hope they're not like a standard mustang. I'm torn over the hood scoop. I think it looks cool but our cars don't have it so why is there one the 07?

 

[rvrtrash]

A friend of mine at work told me he read on some website (I'll have to ask which one) that Ford was consolidating and in the near future would no longer offer the 4.6L, and would jump from the 4.0 V-6 to the 5.4L for all "larger" cars, including the Mustang. Maybe they will put a 5.4 in the 2007's. On another note, I would much prefer that Ford would use the original concept or prototype hood on this car. It looked like a '68 Shelby hood with two functional scoops at the front edge. I liked it from the moment I saw it. Better side scoops and wide taillights would be a plus. I understand the rear spoiler from a cost standpoint and can live with it as is, but a moulded in one would be more true to the original.http://www.mustangphotos.com/photopost/showphoto.php/photo/81/limit/views

Steve

 

[PNewitt]

(I'm also posting this here; it's from the other thread "Tell SVT what you think of the '07 GT/CS").

As a consequence of these "spy photos" of (what may be the pilot car for) the '07 GT/CS, I will be writing a letter to SVT to explain who I am, and to (politely) point out some of the things we have discussed here. I think with the advent of these boards, it would be amiss to not take advantage of your immediate comments, and compile them to let SVT know what we think. After all, we are closer to the GT/Cs than anyone else on the planet.

Here will be some of my comments:

1. Front Fascia: Should look more likethe Shelby GT-500. At least the same "mouth" under the bumper as the Shelby. The grille should be sans running horse. Rectangular fog lights placed in the grille would be more appropiate than the GT Fogs. The '05 "Pony" (and Ford GT) fog lights would be better (but without horse and chrome trim). This would make the '07 CS more discinctive.

2. Side Stripe: Try to use the "GT/CS" logo on the side scoop, instead of the forward door area. Since the '04 Mach 1 used the original font, please use the same, 1968 font for the logo

3. Side Scoop: the side scoop should be wide enough in proportion to accept the striped GT/CS logo. No upper side scoop. This will allow greater "blind spot" visibility, as well as continue the "lower scoop only for the CS" for the convertible version (so it looks consistent).

4. Ducktail spoiler only--no wing. Please use similar striping on the back of the spoiler to (at least) mimick the original 1968 decklid stripes.

5. A distinctive taillight panel, between the taillights could mimick the '65 T-Bird lights, as well as include a center section (around the faux gas cap) that would include the words "CALIFORNIA SPECIAL" in chrome that ran across the bottom. At least the lettering: "GT/CS" placed in the middle of the gas cap (similar to the "CE" already in use in No. California).

ANY other comments--ideas?? Please write them here on this thread ASAP. My letter goes out on Monday (Jan 30th).

Thanks!

Paul Newitt

p.s. I forgot--I agree with the louvered hood idea, too!

 

[68gt390]

The strange thing is that in all the press and photo's I've seen so far I've heard no mention of what power plant will be offered in the 07 CS. So, I'm assuming it will come with a V-6 and the standard GT V-8. Would be nice to see that 5 liter cammer motor pop up.

Don