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* Update Below

Thirty-eights years after the original was introduced in New York, the Mach 1 is back. Debuting at the New York International Auto Show, the new 2003-model Mustang Mach 1 special edition, with signature "shaker" hood scoop continues its historical journey.

"Of all our Living Legends, Mustang might have the richest heritage. While everyone has a favorite, Mach 1 is one of the most memorable and most collectable Mustangs," says Jim O'Connor, Ford Division president.

The 2003 Mach 1 is expected to deliver more than 300 horsepower from its modular (MOD) 4.6-liter, 4-valve, DOHC V-8 engine when it goes on sale at the end of this year. The preeminent pony car remembers its roots with functional performance upgrades and Mach 1 styling cues, including "comfort-weave" leather seats, a shaker hood scoop and today's interpretation of classic "Magnum 500" chrome wheels. See spec sheet here.

So what's the scoop on the scoop? The Mach 1 was designed in Ford's Living Legends Studio in Dearborn, Michigan, where all other Mustangs, plus the Thunderbird and the GT40, are designed. The Living Legends Studio was created in July of 2000 to bring together the creativity of designers involved in related iconic cars of the present and future. Living Legends is Ford's medium for engaging enthusiasts of the Ford brand in a historical and memorable experience. The Mach 1 features exterior enhancements that visually and emotionally connect it to the 1969 Mach 1 fastback.

In keeping with performance Mustang heritage, the scoop is not only appearance enhancing, but functional. The "ram air" scoop, fitted through an opening in the hood, channels fresh air directly to the intake runners increasing the breathing and optimizing intake turbulence for improved power and torque.

The scoop operates on similar principals to that of its forebear, but because the 1969 Mach 1 was a carbureted engine, it was a much simpler task to mount the scoop atop the carburetor in place of a traditional air cleaner.

The "shaker scoop" on the 2003 Mach 1 is mounted atop the intake manifold and directs air through a secondary filter box to the intake. The intake also pulls cool air from the front grille to ensure free breathing. "At first, our colleagues from other teams thought we were crazy," says Hoag. "After all, modern engines are so well tuned and balanced, there really is no 'shake,' so people asked why we would bother with a 'shaker' hood. But Team Mustang is full of enthusiasts who know what it's like to pull a Mach 1 up next to a Chevelle SS with cowl induction and show off."

The scoop and the center powerdome hood are finished in low-gloss black.

No doubt the buzz on the Internet is the #1 contributing factor to the success of this special limited-edition Mustang. Shown as an "experiment" at shows last year, it is the enthusiast that told Team Mustang to build this car.

"People dropped their jaws when they saw the Mach 1 for the first time, especially when we blipped the throttle to demonstrate the shaker," says Scott Hoag, Mach 1 program manager.  "These grassroots events started chats all over the Internet of fans telling us to build this car."

This Mach 1 is back because of you!

*  Just as with the 2001 Bullitt GT, the new Mach 1 will come with a unique serialization found in the vehicle identification number (VIN) to ensure exclusivity and collectibility. This will be different from last years Bullitt Mustang.  The Bullitt carried a unique 'number' tag in the engine compartment, the MACH1 will not.  In the VIN number there will be an engine code designation of 'R'.  This will be exclusive to the MACH1 and will denote the different engine and thus its uniqueness.  Ford plans to produce 6,500 of this limited-edition legend. Mach 1 pricing and detailed technical specifications will be announced just prior to public introduction.

~KRaburn
  SN

  Source: Ford Motor Company

Overview | Mach1 History | Specs | Image Gallery | Wallpaper