12-24-06: It’s as predictable as the sunrise, the collection of annual look-backs that are published this time of year. Here at TMN we as well have assembled a list of Mustang moments from this year that deserve to be highlighted.
Lucky for us, 2006 has been one of the most compelling years for Mustang enthusiasts in a very long time. There have been more debuts and announcements of factory sanctioned and OEM level special edition Mustangs this year alone than in the past 10 years. Think about that for a moment.
On a personal note, I can tell you the new Mustang that I would most want in our garage has changed many times in 2006. It started with the 2007 Shelby GT-500 and then became the 2006 Roush Stage 3. Then there is the Saleen/Parnelli Jones Mustang. Wow! As the year wore on, I came to really appreciate the concept and execution of the 2007 Shelby GT. This was cemented after I drove both the GT-500 and Shelby GT. It was then I realized that a $5000 supercharger bolted to the Shelby GT would run circles around the GT-500 in almost any type of contest.
But as fickle as favorites are, by the fall I had gravitated back to having a new Roush Stage 3 in my garage. Then they introduced the Roush 427R. Why cant I just have a favorite for at least 3 months straight? Not to worry, it was only a month ago Jack Roush announced he will be auctioning off his own personal 2006 Roush Stage 3 Mustang at the Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction. Known as “Black Jack” the black Stage 3 with flat black graphics will roll across the block next month. It has a few custom touches here and there and most importantly was Jack and Jack Jr.’s own ride all during the 2006 NASCAR season, traveling all over the country with the race team. Having owned a Roush Stage 3 and admitedly being a fan of the products, having that car would be special.
So at this time I respectfully ask for your collective prayers for us to unload some of our real-estate investments so this editor can buy this month’s dream car. That not withstanding, I digress. It’s time to get this article back to its point. The following are my top picks as the most important Mustang moments of 2006. Enjoy!
1) $600,000 2007 Ford Shelby GT-500 sale at Barrett-Jackson
The mouths agape last January in the tent as the price jumped in $100,000 increments was a sight to see. Carroll Shelby was smiling ear to ear as the crowd uncharacteristically cheered loudly. Local Phoenix area car collector Ron Pratte won the contest that day as well as taking home a number of other record setting buys including the GM Future-liner bus for $4 million plus. Story 2) 2007 Saleen Parnelli Jones Limited Edition Mustang
One of the most striking and downright mean looking Mustangs to debut this year was the retrospective special edition that Steve Saleen and Parnelli Jones concocted. In our opinion, this is one of the best executed retro edition cars we have seen. It looks right, has all the right stuff and has some interesting futures in store for other products we expect to see in the coming year. Story
3) 2006 Shelby GT-H Hertz Rental Car
The sonic boom heard around the Mustang realm this year, the reemergence of the Shelby GT-H Hertz rent-a-racer sparked a new life into the Shelby legend. Yes! Shelby is building cars again with Ford in his own plant. Hertz is renting them again! History repeating itself indeed. All summer and fall we would see traveling journalists at press events who had rented them. At car shows, people rented them and showed them off, even winning trophies. Websites are full of rental experiences complete with photos. Story
4) 2007 Shelby GT Mustang
The second installment of the Shelby GT-H saga is of course the retail version of the car. Ford used its Bold Moves web-based video series to unveil the car to the public. The story behind the car, how it came to be and the people involved were made to be the larger part of the car’s story. But as production is getting underway as I write this and with Shelby announcing the first one will go at Barrett-Jackson next month, the story is far from over. Story
5) Ford’s Bold Moves Documentary Series
The story that has been hanging like a dark cloud over all the great Mustang news this year is Ford Motor Company’s fortunes. The past couple years for Ford have been some of the worst in their history in the way of losses in profitability and market share. The big question on the minds of everyone has been, “What are they doing about it?” All the public and Wall Street see is a company that keeps doing stupid things, isn’t changing, and isn’t bringing out new products.
To answer the critics and bring on the confidence of Americans, Ford rolled out their Bold Moves web-based documentary series that tells the story of where the company has been, where it is, and where it is going. It has been a serious and introspective look at the company’s hard truths and at their coming triumphs. It continues into 2007 and is a worthwhile venture of your time: http://www.fordboldmoves.com
6) 2009, 2010, 2011 Mustang
If anything is a top “hit-getter” it is the stories about what is in store for the next generation Mustang. We opened our own prognostication last spring and the fun continues. Across the web and in magazines you will find several articles, sites, and tidbits about what will or will not be the next big thing. Some are more on the mark than others. There are facts and there are fables. The latest of course is the rumor of the 4-door Mustang that became a run-away train until Ford waved the magic PR wand and made it disappear. Many big names in the news business fell for the farce including AutoWeek Magazine. Story
7) Giugiaro Mustang Concept
Ford hired the famous Italian design house Giugiaro to craft a Mustang concept car that by all measure has been a major hit. Said to lay hints at where the next Mustang is going in the way of styling, the concept car is an artful and tasteful evolution of the current Mustang. It adds a few additional retro touches such as the raised beltline and fender crease while also carrying forth some new design elements. The all glass roof was a favorite with our readers while the furry hides of the interior were a mixed bag. We look forward to seeing it in person at Detroit next month. Story
8) 2009 Camaro & 2009 Challenger
While these two cars are not Mustangs or Fords, their existence and approval for production are on our list of Mustang moments. Why? Because they exist means we are in for a wild ride in the coming years as Ford does everything it can to compete with the new resurrected rivals. Nothing makes a team work harder at being the best than competition. While the Mustang has managed to be well in the absence of cross-town competition, a new Chevy Camaro and Dodge Challenger will certainly keep Mustang evolving.
9) 2008 Bullitt
While there have been rumors floating around for over a year about new special edition Mustangs from Ford to include the Bullitt, Mach 1, Boss, and so on, an official announcement means something. At a press conference this fall, Mark Fields made the announcement that Ford will indeed offer Bullitt Mustang again for the 2008 model year. We suspect that a production or concept version of this car could be unveiled as soon as the Detroit Auto Show or in April at the New York Auto Show. We will bring it to you when it comes. Story
10) Bill Ford steps down. 
The great grandson of Henry Ford stepped into the CEO title in 2001 to bring Ford into a new era of corporate leadership, citizenship and to change the course set by his predecessor Jaques Nasser. After five years of declining market share, barrels of red ink and the specter of major decline Bill Ford made the decision to bring in a new set of eyes to make the hard decisions at the company. Alan Mullaly was hired the new CEO from Boeing and was lauded for his turnaround efforts with the aviation giant. The story remains to be told here. Story
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