|
LCMC
Mustang & FORD News
*************************************************
Ford Motor Co.
will cease production of its 72-year-old Mercury
brand by the end of 2010 after years of declining
sales.
Mercury's death is the latest in a string of casualties
as Detroit carmakers try to cut costs and invest
more heavily in fewer offerings. By shedding a
mid-range brand that was more and more irrelevant
to buyers, the automaker can focus on accelerating
sales of Ford and beefing up its luxury Lincoln
brand.
Ford plans to expand its Lincoln lineup to make
up for lost Mercury sales and support Lincoln-Mercury
dealers who will suddenly be without a brand.
Derrick Kuzak, Ford's product development chief,
said Lincoln will have seven new or revamped vehicles
in the next four years, including the brand's
first compact car.
The automaker's board of directors approved ending
the brand Wednesday morning, 06/02/10. Ford Americas
President Mark Fields said the decision was made
this spring as part of an annual business review.
He said Mercury's sales make up such a small percentage
of North American market share — less than 1 percent,
compared with Ford brand's 16 percent — and that
the profile of Ford and Mercury shoppers is so
similar, it makes more sense to focus on Ford
and Lincoln.
The move should
help the Ford brand. Mercury was the No. 1 brand
that was also considered by Ford buyers, said
Aaron Bragman, an analyst for the consulting firm
IHS Global Insight. Ford said 53 percent of Mercury
shoppers consider Ford and Lincoln. Ford said
it will offer discounts through the summer on
Mercury vehicles to shed inventory.
Mercury got its start in 1935, when Henry Ford's
son Edsel Ford began designing a more upscale
car he planned to call the Ford Falcon. But he
didn't think it fit with the brand's other offerings,
so he created a new brand named for the winged
Roman god. The first Mercury, the 1939 Mercury
8, went into production in 1938. It sold for $916
and boasted a 95-horsepower V-8 engine. More than
65,800 were sold the first year. For many years,
Mercury remained the mid-range option between
the no-frills Ford brand and the luxury Lincoln
brand. But it struggled to find a niche. It tried
importing some vehicles from Europe under the
Merkur name in the late 1980s, but buyers weren't
ready for the advanced design and higher prices.
In recent decades, it has struggled to differentiate
itself as Ford moved upmarket and the two brand's
vehicles became almost indistinguishable. The
company also failed to give Mercury new products
or advertising support. There is no Mercury version
of the hot-selling Ford Focus, for example, or
the Ford Edge crossover. Mercury currently has
four models: The Milan sedan and Mariner small
SUV and their hybrid versions. The Ford brand
has nine. Mercury's sales peaked in 1978 at more
than 580,000 vehicles. Just over 92,000 Mercurys
were sold last year. Even though some of its products
such as the Milan have received strong reliability
scores from Consumer Reports magazine and other
outside groups, Mercury's sales have never come
close to Ford's Fusion, which is nearly an identical
car.
While Ford sold more than 75,000 Fusions and Fusion
hybrids through April of this year, it sold just
11,800 Milans and Milan hybrids. But Mercury did
have one thing in its favor: It consistently outsold
the Lincoln brand, which has been struggling despite
a relatively new lineup and high scores in dependability
surveys. Mercury sold nearly 10,000 more vehicles
than Lincoln last year, even though its sales
fell 23 percent from the year before. Ford will
have to invest serious dollars into Lincoln to
make the plan work, but it should be able to do
that because it has unloaded Aston Martin, Land
Rover, Jaguar and Volvo in recent years, said
Bragman of IHS Global Insight. He said the difference
between Ford and Lincoln vehicles needs to be
similar to the difference between Volkswagen and
Audi or Toyota and Lexus. Kuzak and Fields said
that with the end of Mercury, Lincoln will have
the resources it needs, and Kuzak said the brand
will get more exclusive technologies in the future
to differentiate it
*************************************************
Indy
500 Mustang Pace Cars
19641/2 Ford Mustang Convertible

Aside
from the Corvette, no other automotive marque
has paced the Indianapolis 500 as often as the
Mustang. In its 40-year history, the Mustang
has been at Indy three times:
1964 for the Mustang introduction, then 1979 and
1994 when the Mustang changed body styles. Three
1964 1/2 convertibles were built with the sole
purpose of pacing the 1964 Indianapolis 500.
These three cars were sent directly from the factory
to Holman & Moody in North Carolina to be specially
modified for pace car duties. These modifications
included extensive work to the 289cid engines,
the installation of a Borg-Warner 4-speed transmission,
and lowered suspension with differently valved
shocks on each side of the car to accommodate
the banked turns of the Indianapolis Speedway,
and high-speed rated tires.
The cars were all painted Wimbledon White. On
race day only 2 of these cars actually made the
parade lap, as the third ran into mechanical difficulties.
In addition, thirty five convertibles were used
as dignitary cars during the festivities of the
Indy 500. Due to a shortage of Mustangs available
from the factory, these 35 were pulled from dealer
lots to fill the need. All of these cars were
D-code cars (289 cid V8, 4-barrel, 210 hp) in
Wimbledon White with either red, white or blue
interiors.
After the race these cars were auctioned off to
dealerships and absorbed into the general population,
instead of being made available for
sale as special edition cars
1979 Ford Mustang
In 1979 when the Mustang
was beginning a new renaissance, the Indianapolis
500 invited Ford to pace the race with the all-new,
Fox-body Mustang. To celebrate, Ford produced
replicas to be sold to the public, just like 15
years earlier when Ford produced an estimated
190 white '64 1/2 Pace Car replica hardtops.
Ford was more aggressive with the Indy 500 Pace
Car replicas in 1979. It built 10,471 to be distributed
through a vast dealer network. Of the 10,471 units,
405 were shipped to Canadian Ford dealers. Most
(5,970) were fitted with the 2.3L-2V Turbo four.
Fewer (4,508) were equipped with the 5.0L-2V V-8
with either automatic or four-speed manual transmissions.
All of the '79 Indy Pace Car Mustangs were equipped
with the TRX suspension, which included TRX metric
wheels, stiffer springs and shocks, sway bars,
and Michelin tires. The bodies were dressed in
Pewter with black and burnt-orange appointments
and Indy 500 Pace Car graphics. Groovy ground
effects, fog lamps, and twin European exhaust
tips adorned the rest of the body.
1994 Ford Mustang Cobra, 78th Indy 500,
May 29, 1994

1994 saw a major redesign
for the Ford Mustang, as well as Mustang's return
to Indianapolis. The all-new 1994 Mustang Cobra
convertible became the third Mustang to pace the
Indy 500.
The 94 Mustang was powered by a modified version
of Ford's 5.0L V-8 engine that produced 240 horsepower.
1963 Indy winner Parnelli Jones was chosen to
drive the pace car.
1000 replicas of the red-and-tan convertible were
produced, along with a replica of the Official
Truck of the Indy 500, the Ford F-150 Lightning.
*************************************************
3rd
Generation - Fox Body 1979 - 1993

1979
Mustang
Compared to the earlier Mustang, the 1979 models
were longer and taller. However, it was 200 pounds
lighter than the Mustang II. Engine options included
the 2.3L 4-cylinder engine, 2.8L V6, 2.3L engine
turbo, 3.3L inline-6 and 5L V8. As the first model
for the Fox platform, the 1979 Mustangs were visually
more "European" and less traditional in terms
of styling features.
1980 Mustang
With the next Mustang in the Fox platform, Ford
dropped the 302 V8 engine and offered a 255-cubic
inch V8 engine, which boasts up to 119 horsepower.
The company wanted to offer an engine that was
both economical and sporty. However, many Mustang
fanatics found the new engine to be underpowered
for racing. In addition, the 2.8L V6 engine was
replaced by a 3.3L inline 6 engine.
1981 Mustang
Due to the new U.S. emissions & safety standards,
the 1981 Mustang faced additional engine changes.
The 2.3 L engine with turbo was dropped from the
lineup, while the 255 cu in V8 engine was revamped
to produced exactly 115 horsepower, instead of
119 hp it previously produced. Because of this,
consumers noticed a decrease in power output on
all Mustangs equipped with V8 engines.
1982 Mustang
For critics and Mustang fans, 1982 was the year
Ford regained the Mustang appeal by bringing back
its original power. Ford brought the Mustang GT
back to the lineup, gave way to the return of
the T-top option and offered the 5.0L V8 engine
again. This time, the V8 engine was capable of
producing up to 157 horsepower. The 1982 Mustang
also featured an improved exhaust system, which
made the 1982 models one of the fastest cars in
the U.S. during its time.
1983 Mustang
Since 1970s, Ford has not been producing Mustang
convertibles. This changed in 1983 when the Mustang
was made available in convertible option. In addition,
the mustang GT V8 engine increased in power, producing
up to 175 horsepower. In fact, the 1983 model
was so admired that the California Highway Patrol
bought 400 units, which were used in high-speed
pursuits.
1984 Mustang
In 1984, Ford introduced the special edition Mustang
SVO, assembling only 4,508 units. It featured
a turbocharged 2.3L inline 4-cycline engine, which
was capable of producing 210 lb-ft of torque and
up to 175 horsepower. Although the Mustang SVO
was a powerful model, not many consumers were
able to afford its $15,970 tag price. However,
Ford also released its 20th anniversary Mustang
made as a GT model that featured a V8 engine with
Canyon red interior and Oxford white exterior.
1985 Mustang
1985 was the year the 5.0 High Output (HO) motor
was introduced as an effort to improve its engine
lineup. It was capable of producing 210 horsepower
even with a manual transmission. Since the Mustang
SVO was still offered, a total of 1,515 units
were produced. During the late 1985, Ford revamped
the SVO and released 439 units. These models were
able to output up to 205 horsepower and 240 lb-ft
of torque, making them a popular car admired by
Mustang enthusiasts.
1986
Mustang
Ford dropped the carburetor and introduced the
first 302 cu in sequential multi-port fuel injection
V8 engine, which can produce 225 horsepower. 1986
was the last year Ford produced Mustang SVOs -
an estimated of 3,382 units were manufactured.
Only minor changes, such as horsepower reduction
from 205 to 200 hp and addition of a third-brake
light were made to the SVO.
1987 Mustang
Ford completely revamped the 1987 Mustang to become
aerodynamic in design. Being its first major redesign
since 1979, the Mustang experience a heavily restyled
interior and exterior. The new 5.0L V8 engine
can now produce up to 225 horsepower. Since Ford
dropped the V6 engine for 1987, engine options
for the Mustang was the V8 engine and the 2.3L
4-cyliner fuel-injected motor. Ford also stopped
production for the Mustang SVO, but produced a
new special edition SVT Cobra (Special Vehicle
Team), which was equipped with a 302 cu in V8
engine that can produce 280 lb-ft of torque and
235 horsepower.
1988 Mustang
For 1988, the Mustang GT became one of the most
popular Mustangs ever produced with over 68,000
units produced for 1988 alone. The production
of T-tops was discontinued early in 1988.
1989 Mustang
Ford produced all 1989 Mustangs with a new mass
air system. Celebrating its 25th year, the Mustang
was produced with a Mustang Pony inscription with
the words "25 Years" placed on the dash. These
special edition Mustangs were manufactured from
April 17, 1989 to April 17, 1990.
1990 & 1991 Mustang
The 25th Mustang Anniversary was extended up to
1990, releasing 2,000 limited edition jet-black
Mustangs. Ford also introduced the first airbag
for driver's side as standard equipment. In 1991,
Ford increased the horsepower of all base Mustangs
by equipping the vehicle with 105 hp twin-plug
4-cylinder engine. Plus, Ford features all V8
units with 5-spoke 16x7-inch cast aluminum wheels.
1992 Mustang
A limited edition Mustang was released in the
late 1992 production year in an effort to boost
consumer enthusiasm because the sales were decreasing.
However, only a few red convertible (with special
rear spoiler) limited editions were released.
In 1992, the Mustang LX that featured 5.0L V8
engine with a scaled down body outsold all other
Ford models combined.
1993 Mustang
In 1993, Ford's Special Vehicle Team (SVT) produced
another limited edition SVT - the SVT Mustang
Cobra and the A Cobra R version that used the
same Cobra engine, which was developed as a complete
racing engine. Even though the 1993 models were
without a stereo and air conditioning, it was
sold out completely before production.
*************************************************
SHELBY TERLINGUA
The Terlingua Racing Team story is the stuff of
legend. Its roots began when Ford Motor Company
asked Carroll Shelby to turn its Mustang into
a race winner. His team succeeded with a competition
version of the Shelby GT350. About that time,
Shelby and a few friends were enjoying "the Rat
Pack" lifestyle in the Texas ghost town of Terlingua.
To symbolize their philosophy, legendary Terlingua
Team member # 2 Bill Neale designed "Lucifer",
the black and yellow a logo with a rabbit holding
his paw in the air.
Ken Miles was the first to put the 'prancing rabbit'
in the winner's circle with a victory at Green
Valley Raceway in 1965.
When the logo became a "Gawdawful Yellow" livery
for the 1967 Shelby Trans Am car, the philosophy
really caught fire. When Shelby ceased production
in 1970, drivers put the heraldry on other vehicles.
In April of 2007, Shelby Automobiles and Bill
Neale returned the Terlingua Racing Team to the
spotlight. Today the Terlingua team announced
a series of vehicles and products for the grassroots
racing community that live up to the Terlingua
Racing legend. Ranging from a high performance
package for Ford Mustangs to special edition Shelby
Cobra, the program was introduced during a press
conference at the 2007 SEMA show. The Terlingua
Racing Team package for the V6 Ford Mustang includes
serious performance enhancements and striking
visual cues.
The hot rod features significant improvements
to the handling and braking capabilities that
were developed with partners like Ford Racing;
an optional supercharger will crank out 375 horsepower.
The coupe sports a deep draw hood, 20" anthracite
"Razor" wheels and a host styling changes including
the famous Terlingua rabbit. The package will
be applied, with a Shelby serial number, by Shelby
Automobiles in Las Vegas or one of our official
factory mod shops.
For the first time in 40 years, Shelby Automobiles
proudly offers the Shelby Terlingua. This Paxton
supercharger 4.0L V-6 generates 375 hp and will
make you forget it's not a V8! Visit shelbyautos.com
for more information.
Low
Country Mustang News
*************************************************
The Low Country
Mustang Club is absolutely amazing! What a nice
thing to do. Last year, I got my church, my daughter
and friends to also give to the camp because I
was worried we'd not have enough funds to cover
the camp expenses. We were also really frugal,
so we ended up ok. But y'all have made us get
off to a good start. I should be able to be less
stressed this year! Thank you so much.
I am attaching a copy of a letter that Rachel,
a camper, wrote a few months ago. I thought you'd
enjoy it. Sally

2006
Camp Puff N Stuff

2006
Camp Puff N Stuff
Camp Puff N Stuff will be held
at the College of Charleston from June 18–23.
It is for children born between 1995 and 1999
who are on daily medications for asthma and who
live in coastal South Carolina. Education is held
each morning on how asthma affects the airways,
how asthma medications work, why it is important
to take them correctly. The children go on field
trips in the afternoons and then return to the
college to practice breathing exercises. The children
learn how to recognize the symptoms of an asthma
attack so they can take the appropriate management
steps to lessen or prevent an attack. With this
knowledge, they feel more confident about taking
care of their asthma.
Sponsors of the camp are The American Lung Association-Southeast
Region, Roper St. Francis Heathcare and the Charleston
Police Department. Major contributors besides
The Low Country Mustang Club
are The Exchange Club of Charleston, Coastal Community
Foundation’s Webb/Croft Fund Sepracor, The
Charleston County Medical Society, First Federal
and Charleston Outdoor Catering.
2005
Camp Puff N Stuff

|