[DeTomaso] '70 Muscle Car Mustangs

[MikeLDrew at aol.com]

In a message dated 4/18/08 19 20 48, rimov at charter.net writes:


> I may be wrong 
> 
>>>You are. :>)


> but I have heard many say the 71-73 fox body mustangs
> 
>>>There is no such thing.   The Fox platform was originally invented for the 
1978 Ford Fairmont.   When Ford wisely decided to ditch the Mustang II (which 
was built on the Pinto chassis, hardly a paragon of fine automotive 
engineering), they shortened the Fox platform to support an all-new body.   The new car 
was significantly bigger inside as a result, but smaller externally than the 
original Mustang.   It also used a completely different suspension layout, 
with MacPherson struts in the front.


>  rode
> and handled much better than the earlier fox body style mustangs, 
> 
>>>So patently false as to be utterly laughable.   The '71-73 Mustangs have 
their own virtues which can not be ignored, but handling definitely is not one 
of them.   Compared to any other Mustang, even the Mustang II, the '71-73 
series cars are absolute pigs, exacerbated in the 429-powered cars.   Even the 
351C cars understeer something wicked, and boast prodigious body roll, chassis 
flex, and all sorts of other undesirable traits.   They are big, soft, heavy, 
flabby, flaccid boats, some of which are fast in a straight line, and admittedly 
very good-looking (particularly the fastbacks).

I was nearly killed (twice!) in a '72 Mach I while I was in college, both 
times due to a driver who thought he was better than he really was, and the fact 
that the car simply wasn't up to the challenges he was putting before it.   In 
both instances, had we been in an early Mustang, or any one of the 
Fox-platform cars, it would have been no problem.


> looks with
> standing of course... Did all the 71-73 come with Cleveland's ?
> 
>>>No, you could get a 250-inch six, a wimpy 302, 2v or 4v 351C (rated at 240 
and 285 hp), Cobra Jet and Super Cobra Jet 429s, and a Boss 351C with solid 
lifters, 11:1 compression and 330 hp (1971 only).

By 1973, the cars were truly emasculated, with the top offerings being either 
a 351W or 351C rated at just over 150 hp each!

Mike




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