The Ford Mustang has suffered some woeful incarnations, but with the new generation Mustang reasserting the glorious Mustang name, which one is the stallion to go for? The original groundbreaker or the modern equivalent?
Classic Ford Mustang or Modern Ford Mustang?
Unless you live under a Rock or in the Fens, you will have undoubtedly noticed the new generation Ford Mustang has evolved into a rather tasty number. It’s not only the most advanced Mustang ever to hit the road, but also one of the most radical American sports cars available out the showroom in decades.
For some, however, nothing quite compares to the good ol’ 1967 Ford Mustang GT. Getting your hands on one isn’t all too difficult either, nor is it as costly as feeding Eric Pickles. In reality, the cost of acquiring Ford’s original prancing pony can be as little as half the price of one brand new.
You may feel this in an unfair comparison, as older cars lack the technologic progression that push the boundary of speed, safety and handling. But hold the fort, as it’s not quite as simple as that. So, which one is better?
While the contemporary embodiment of the famous Mustang works with independent rear suspension and offers cruising comfort to rival a 5.0-litre V8 beanbag, it doesn’t quite leave the impression given by the classic Mustang. It’s far from ugly, but the uncut lines of the 1967 original supply redemption for a stern ride quality that will leave long journeys a daunting prospect. Not quite as uncomfortable as a sex talk from your grandparents, but the current Mustang wins the comfort round. To be expected, really, as technology and public demand have left car manufacturers putting comfort top of the agenda.
Inside the cabin, the old Mustang works wonders on your childish excitement. Every instrument binnacle and strip of chrome amid the artdeco fonts appear as a labour of love. You’ll find yourself repeatedly telling yourself ‘they don’t make cars like these anymore’. Which isn’t quite true - as the modern version holds some nice touches of its own. The polished aluminium trim and vastly improved plastics, over the previous manifestation at least, allow a touch of quality to a genre of car infamous for breaching various UN torture legislations. However, as far as we are concerned - nothing breaches the Classic Mustang for sheer classy classlensess. If that wasn’t a phrase, it is now.
Boiling down to power, you may expect the old girl to feel slower than a week in Cumbernauld - but you would be wrong. The aged 4.7 V8 lurking under the long bonnet pumps out 271bhp on a good day, taking the lightweight frame to 60mph in little over seven seconds if wearing its 289 V8 trousers - for a car pushing half a century in age this is beyond impressive. The exhaust note is also so spectacular that it will draw petrolheads in for miles around.
As for the current Mustang, the game has been pushed on a fair bit. The 5.0-litre V8 heaves around the extra 454kg with an outrageous free revving 435bhp. The only thing is, despite being capable of 164 miles per hour, the noise is deadened, removing the adrenaline filled impact so adorned from the classic.
Now comes the tricky part; the handling. Older cars handle like a pair of rubber skis when compared to today’s vehicles, but for American muscle cars this is an entirely different ball game. Quite frankly, they don’t handle. Corners are an alien concept to the likes of an original classic Ford Mustang and you will need biceps the size of tree trunks in order to keep one in control when tackling tight, winding roads. The new Mustang is more of a sports car, using innovations to help it keep up with almost anything on a racetrack, making it a joy to fling around rather than fearing for your life.
So, which one deserves your garage space? Taking reliability of poorer examples and the common notion that ‘new cars are better’ aside, the Classic Mustang just clinches the deal. The modern pony is one of the best all-round modern cars you can buy. For £35,000 where else can you get a V8 sports car offering as much clout as a Ford Mustang? However, for style and panache it’s the old beast that will leave you saluting the Stars and Stripes.
It may be slower, handle like a church and provide a miles per gallon figure that starts with a decimal point under lairy conditions - but it captures your heart like the demonic villain from Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. It’s also half the cost, with prices likely to creep up beyond elite levels as the years progress.
There has never been a better time to purchase a classic Mustang. Grab a look at Ford Mustangs for sale on CCFS.