Topic: Interest in later generation cars?

[CharlesTurner]

Is the low participation of the 4th/5th generation forums here a sign of low interest in the authenticity of those cars?  We're going on our 2nd year with the concours forum and there are only a total on 9 post with around 50 replies.

I keep hearing from a select few in MCA of how important it is to gather authenticity details for these cars and while I agree that it is in the best interest of MCA to do that, I can't help but think that there just aren't many folks that care.

Curious what others think about this?

[Sunlitgold68]

My 1998 SVT Cobra is still too new for me to have much interest in MCA type details. Maybe one day but it sure seems like a stretch, especially compared to the 68 coupe.

[carlite65]

i think a lot of late model folks are more interested in modifying and driving their cars for now. i just hope that they are keeping the original parts that are being removed. i have a 2007 coupe that is absolutely bone stock and will remain that way. however my 2006 convertible does have a couple of minor changes. that one i drive. just my .02 for tonite.

[ChrisV289]

I have a 2009 (45th anniversary) v6 coupe that is my daily driver and I photo documented some of the markings and tags found on the car before really driving it.  I haven't had a chance yet to crawl underneath and take some pics there but it only has 27k miles on it now.  I did change out the grill to add fog lights, put the leather GT steering wheel, and put on an 8 inch antenna on the car.  But I did keep all the original parts as well.  I do see that in the future these cars will probably be going through the same thing as the 60's and 70's cars with people restoring them.  I don't see it happening for awhile now, maybe 20 years??  Out of curiosity are all the new Mustangs built at the same plant?  Also since most of the cars today are mostly built by machine, will there be debates on variations like there are today with the 60's?

[PerkinsRestoration]

Unless you consider warranty recall work restoration, there is not much to discuss on 5th generation? If you live in Wisconsin snow tires and a bag of sand in the trunk for winter driving is a hot topic.

[CharlesTurner]

Out of curiosity are all the new Mustangs built at the same plant?  Also since most of the cars today are mostly built by machine, will there be debates on variations like there are today with the 60's?

Yes, thankfully they have been built at one plant during an assembly year for quite some time now.  Before the '05 model, they were built at Dearborn, probably since the 80's.  The new '05 design moved production to Flat Rock, MI where it remains today.

Appreciate the replies so far and something I suspected seems to possibly be true...  The folks that have any interest in all at keeping their newer car original usually had an older model that they restored and used to show.

I've been trying to get a contact at Ford to help with the production details for the later cars.  I would have to guess that most everything from the 80's to present is still around.  The newer stuff is probably on DVD's.

[sparky65]

I honestly think it would be quite a challenge to restore these cars.  Its hard enough for the average person to do what should be simple repairs now.  But to answer your question there isn't much interest because no one is trying to recreate those details now.  At the most they may be trying to preserve details but that doesn't require lots of research so not many questions are asked.  I have thought about snapping a bunch of pictures of my 09 but there isn't much incentive right now so I keep putting it off.  I already tossed the original oil filter so I am not off to a good start, but I have noticed that those that have the space and don't need to sell there original parts usually try to store them away.

[C5ZZKGT]

I have to wonder if the later generation (of people) will be restoring their 2011 GT 500s in 45 years...........(I'll be 98 years old then and probably won't care)

[bryancobb]

I AM A MUSTANG ENTHISIAST!
When the new Shelbys came out, I considered one since I had just sold my helicopter and the money was burning a hole in my pocket.  I decided to payoff my house.

I love the old Georgia State Patrol Trooper Mustangs.  I almost bought a 1979 pace car, new.

I still have a problem with Mustangs, other than 65 through 72, being judged at shows, and taking up space in magazines that are targeted to the Classic Mustang Hobby.  I can't explain it... it just doesn't FEEL right.


I think most folks who hover around on forums like this, are in the same mindset as me. 
It is not proper to exclude any segment of the Mustang hobby, but there just won't be much interest there, IMHO.

[Sunlitgold68]

I believe the interest is not there because it is TOO easy. There is no challenge at this point. People like challenges, the hunt of finding the right parts and everything that goes with a restoration. Anybody can buy a new Mustang and just store it away or keep every part that is swapped out in the garage.

Until it becomes more of a challenge, I don't see the interest increasing anytime soon.

[chalkys_explorer]

 Personally, I think it's a cyclical thing. Most of the time it's a 15-20 year cycle.  To most people the 95-98's are the red headed stepchildren and the '99 and ups are too new. Unless it's a Cobra or a Saleen they don't have the mystique yet, they're just used cars. Look how long it has taken for the Fox Mustangs to gain a little recognition and vendor support.

[SCJSTU]

I have an 04 Mach 1 bone stock because its a low prod run but my 2006 GT is highly modded like most nowadays..

there are so many aftermarket parts for these now that was not offered back in the 60/70's so everyone mods them

I think the under 40 crowd for the most part enjoys beating on the late models

and I am not even in that group....