2019 Ford Mustang Mach-E

2019 Ford Mustang Mach-E

Ford Motor Company has long been a leader in the automotive space. From utility-oriented pickups and genre-defining pony cars all the way to contemporary electric vehicles, the brand has bolstered its reputation since its conception over 100 years ago, thanks to a dedicated commitment to innovation. Now, they鈥檙e preparing to reimagine one of their most prolific models with the electrified Mustang Mach-E. When the first Mustang was introduced all the way back in 1964, it exemplified a new approach toward automotive culture 鈥?something that Ford has emphasized as the inspiration behind the powerful new crossover. The 2020 Mach-E is a far cry from the iconic pony car that we know and love, but its rebellion against its predecessor鈥檚 implied design is what makes it so captivating. It looks the part of a modern SUV but boasts a powerful all-wheel/rear-wheel-drive motor system that makes it faster off the line than Porsche鈥檚 lauded Macan platform 鈥?thanks, in large part, to its 332 horsepower and 417 lb.-ft. But that鈥檚 not all; the Mach-E will also arrive alongside two performance-oriented models 鈥?the GT, and GT Performance Edition 鈥?to usurp the German manufacturer鈥檚 Porsche Macan Turbo and 911 GTS with an estimated 459 horsepower and 612 lb.-ft.

Building factory cars that were overpowered street behemoths was the norm with every 1960鈥檚 American manufacturer. The 1970s was no different, and this Ford Mustang Mach 1 is living proof of the insane street performance you could roll off the lot with five decades ago. First delivered to a dealership in Medford, Oregon in autumn of 鈥?9, this pristine example was spec鈥檇 with a 351 Windsor V8 bolted to a four-speed close-ratio manual transmission, which funneled power to a Traction-Lok differential. The original owner also opted for a shaker scoop intake, power front brakes, and even an AM radio, showing there was more to this driver then just going fast. The Mustang鈥檚 subsequent owner rebuilt the engine and made various upgrades to the suspension and braking systems, additions that did not detract from the original intent of the vehicle. All this done over almost 50 years, while only racking up 69K miles on the tach and retaining the original interior.

Dearborn's fight to shed its also-ran image got a boost when the Mach 1 moved into the starting gate. Here was a Mustang that looked the part of a modern pony muscle car, and in 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1 428 Cobra Jet livery, it ran like one. Mustang was restyled for '69, gaining 3.8 inches of body length -- all ahead of the front wheels -- and about 140 pounds of curb weight. The flowing lines looked right in new Mach 1 livery. This was the mainstream performance version. It came standard with a 351-cid V-8, but star of the stable was the optional 428-cid Cobra Jet. 133 more bought the fresh-air induction system, which this year used a new "shaker" hood in which a scoop mounted to the air cleaner protruded through a hole in the hood and vibrated ominously with the engine. 155 Drag-Pack option was the 428 Super Cobra Jet Ram Air.

It used the shaker scoop, plus a modified crankshaft and stronger connecting rods for better high-rpm durability, as well as an engine oil cooler that decreased lubricant temperature by 30 degrees. The Drag Pack came with limited-slip 3.91:1 or 4.30:1 cogs and excluded air conditioning. All versions used a four-speed or Ford's improved SelectShift automatic. And all were underrated at 335 bhp. But the Cobra Jet's most-pertinent product was torque, enough to send the F40xl4s up in a haze of Polyglas. With 3.91:1 gearing, even the automatic broke 'em lose at each full-throttle upshift. Great for grins, bad for ETs. The root of the problem was a 59-percent-front weight bias, an imbalance that contributed to sloppy handling, as well. But this was the Mustang Ford fans had waited for -- cheaper than a Boss 429, less temperamental than a Boss 302, and a force anywhere fast cars gathered. Return to Classic Muscle Cars Library.