Car of the Day - 2005 Ford Mustang GT

Car of the Day - 2005 Ford Mustang GTt

Ford managed to find some of the DNA from the original 64-69 Mustangs for the 2005 model year. Everything that was good about the 1st generation Mustangs went through a time warp and found its way into the new millennium.

The everymans performance car found its roots and Ford finally had a car that enthusiasts had been hoping for for years, quite simply the best 300 hp rear drive car around and it started at under 20k.

Styling cues were keep from the extremely well received 2003 concept car, practicality was added but not at the expense of style.

The primary engine was the new 4.6-liter all-aluminum V-8 with three-valve heads. In GT form it delivered 300hp, a mark previously only reached with Boss and Cobra models. Additional to the high power output of the engine it also had the added benefit of a 75 lb weight saving over the previous cast iron block.

The 3 valve cylinder heads recieved variable camshaft timing which allows a higher compression on standard regular unleaded. Intake runners with active charge motion control valves also shape each combustion event for strong, low-end torque and maximum high-rpm power. This coupled with electronic throttle control and a faster engine management system deliver a 40 hp increase in output over the outgoing V8.

The suspension feature MacPherson struts with new light weight steel reverse L control arms while the rear received a new three-link, solid axle architecture with a Panhard rod. A central torque control arm is fastened to the upper front end of the differential, and trailing arms are located near each end of the axle.

Four-wheel disc brakes are standard and with 12.4-inch ventilated discs at front are the largest rotors ever fitted to a base Mustang.

The 2005-2009 model years were an enormous sales success and undoubtably one of the pieces of the puzzle that allowed Ford to fare better than its competitors during the GFC.

Rod Halligan