Perhaps the most significant aspect of the evolution of the 1997 to 2006 Mustangs was Ford finally abandoning the outdated Fox platform in 2005 and returning the car's styling to its 1960s roots. Not only did the 2005 models echo the 1969 model's styling, it brought back performance to the standard models. However, other than this complete overhaul of Ford's flagship car, the seventh and eighth generation Mustangs featured only moderate upgrades.
Bridging Generations
The 1997 and 1998 Mustangs were carry-overs from the 1996 versions with few changes. A base 150-horsepower 3.8-liter V-6 powered the 1997 models with the optional 225-horsepower 4.6-liter V-8 getting an additional 10 horsepower over the 1996 models. The performance SVT Cobra was equipped with a 305-horsepower 4.6-liter V-8. Sales were healthy with 108,344 Mustangs leaving the factory. Sales skyrocketed to 175,522 units in 1998. However, 1998 marked the emergence of a more muscular Mustang with flatter body panels and creased fenders. It foreshadowed what was to come in 2005.
Cobras and Bullitts
A blip on the Mustang landscape was the 1999 Cobra when rumors circulated that its 320-horsepower 4.6-liter, 32-valve V-8 was actually generating less than 300 horsepower. For 1999, Ford sold 8,095 Cobras, but many owners were demanding new engines or refunds. Ford responded to its customers' demands, but the Cobra's reputation sustained damage and only 454 left showrooms in 2000. Perhaps to make amends in 2000, Ford produced 300 units of the race-ready Cobra R equipped with a 385-horsepower 5.4-liter V-8. In 2001, Mustang introduced its limited edition "Bullitt" Mustang GT coupe as homage to actor Steve McQueen's 1968 Mustang in the film "Bullitt." Its V-8 developed 265 horsepower and it carried special interior and exterior "Bullitt" badging and accents reminiscent of the original car, including the green body color. Ford sold 5,000 Bullitts.
Mach 1
Arriving in 2003 was the Mach 1 equipped with a 300-horsepower V-8, and shaker hood scoop with ram air intake. Ford lowered the body a half inch, firmed up the suspension for better handling and added 17-inch wheels. The cabin featured black leather seats and the exterior's rocker moldings had a black racing stripe with "Mach 1" badging. The Mach 1 could hit 0-to-60 mph in 5.2 seconds and the quarter mile in 14 seconds at 103 mph. Its top speed was an electronically limited 151 mph. Ford produced 9,652 Mach 1s. It sold for $28,995, which was a bargain compared to the $34,750 2003 SVT Cobra.
Big Changes
Ford replaced the Fox platform with the same platform supporting the Lincoln LS and Thunderbird for the retro-styled 2005 and 2006 Mustang. Ford filched the styling of the first-generation Mustang without apologies. It sat lower and wider, its grille was more aggressive and the car seemed to have a forward pitch as if it were ready to pounce. Its roofline, body panels and taillamps harkened the 1965 and 1966 models. Its base 200-horsepower 4-liter V-6 didn't do much, but the 300-horsepower 4.6-liter V-8 packed a punch with a 0-to-60 mph clocking of 5.1 seconds and the quarter mile in 13.5 seconds at 103 mph.
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