The opening spread introducing the new 1971 Fords in the September 1970 issue of Popular Mechanics. I can still remember the excitement I felt seeing the new-for-71 large Fords and Mercurys, and the equally new Mustangs and Cougars. The large cars were sleeker and more sophisticated looking than ever before, and had longer wheelbases and chassis. The Pony cars were also all-new, with a 1 inch longer wheelbase and an engine compartment that could now hold Ford's large 429 V8s. The 'Stang notchback and the Cougar even had flying buttress rear C pillars, a very sexy look, lol! The Torinos, Montegos, Mavericks and Thunderbirds were merely facelifted, but still really desirable, unburdened by the "I-Beam" bumpers that these cars would be saddled with starting in 1973. Mercury was given its own "Maverick" which it called Comet, a name used by the company since 1960 on their compacts, although from '68-'69 Mercury used it on the least expensive intermediate.
You, more than anyone, knew I would have to comment on this post!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great lineup - ahh, the good old days. There really isn't a car shown that I wouldn't love to own today, and what really shows my age is I don't think there is one illustrated that I haven't owned, driven, or been a passenger in. Sigh :(
But, you are right, the Mustang is the only nameplate still being produced. All that brand equity that was squandered, what a shame!
It doesn't seem to be cool to re-use old model brands unless you're also ripping off the styling in some more-or-less successful way, does it? Mini, Fiat 500, Charger, even Camaro after its eight-year break. From a British point of view, I'd say you're lucky not have experienced this Montego:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.aronline.co.uk/bro3623f.htm
There's no way that name would get re-used here...
Anyway, I spotted this on Hemmings and thought of America, and how easy it would be to zip over from our old house in Elwood by getting on Jericho Turnpike, then the L.I.E. and arriving in College Point to impulse-buy a cheap 911:
http://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/?op=display_ad&id=1128806&refer=news
Have a nice Friday,
Nigel
PX: Yes, I knew you'd like this post! I've pretty much known and ridden in every nameplate in the spread too.
ReplyDeleteNigel: Hey! Thanks for checking in. It's always great to hear from you and your UK perspective. Hope everything is going well on your side of the Atlantic!
Ah, 1971! Where's the Pinto in all this? I guess because it was new it likely got its own features and advertisements. My brother bought a Pinto in the Fall of 1970. There have been better cars!
ReplyDeleteI remember when we were shopping for his Pinto, the Ford dealer had a new Mustang Grande on the floor. I was quite taken with its luxury features. Those Mustangs and Cougars were some big cars, considering how little space there was inside them!
And I was also taken by the Comet-izing of the Maverick. And later they added that trim level with the tan seats and the tan rub molding along the side -- I think both Comet and Maverick had that for a number of years. Of course, once they added the big bumpers I lost all interest in them.
Good times!
Paul, NYC
You're right Paul, the Pinto had its own feature. I'll scan that soon too. When the Maverick and the Comet came out with that Luxury Decor Option, the tan seats and vinyl roof/bodyside trim, I just couldn't believe it. They had a heavy-weight shag carpeting too. I thought it was the height of luxury for a "small" car! I think I'd actually like a 4 door Mavercik equipped like that today. It would practically be considered a big car today. I think it was all vinyl inside too, "glove-soft" vinyl if I remember right. At least they didn't kill so many cows then!
ReplyDeleteNIge: forgot to thank you for that link. I love those early 911s with the tasteful chrome trim and bumpers. That horrid 2 tone interior has to go though! It reminds me of those powder blue tuxedos that were popular in the 70s!
ReplyDeleteI like the styling of that Austin Montego, but can just imagine what they were built like in those dark days.
Those Maverick LDO's were quite a transformation from the stock Maverick interior. They were all vinyl, but the seats were so superior to the standard bench seat that no one cared.
ReplyDeleteI remember reading that Ford was testing the market for compact "luxury". The success of the Luxury Decor Option greenlighted the introduction of the Granada in 1975.
Hi EVERYONE, Happy Friday. Be good.
ReplyDeleteLater then...
*sigh* I am missing my 1971 blue Mustang...I think I have said before I really wanted a '65..looking back it would have probably been a good buy in 1971 to get the '65...oh, truly, youth is SO VERY wasted on the young!
ReplyDeleteHope your day is as beautiful as it is here today...(still western NE but beautiful all the same!)
later all...
mare
HELLO ALL,
ReplyDeleteFORGOT TO TELL YOU ALL YESTERDAY HOW GRAMPS TRIED TO KILL A 5 TO 6 FOOT SNAKE IN OUR YARD. I THINK IT WAS THE SAME SNAKE HE CAME ACROSS IN THE YARD A COUPLE OF MONTHS. SNAKES SCARE ME TO DEATH. THE NEIGHBORS ON BOTH SIDE OF US HAD HIM IN THEIR YARD MANY TIMES BUT NO ONE SEEMS TO BE ABLE TO CATCH HIM OR [SORRY] KILL HIM. I HATE THE WORD KILL. BUT I JUST DON'T WANT THAT SNAKE IN MY YARD. I REALLY THINK HE LIVES UNDER THE SHED IN THE NEIGHBORS YARD.THE SNAKE HAD MANY CHANCES TO MOVE TO A NEW NEIGHBORHOOD. HE MAYBE HARMLESS BUT I JUST DON'T WANT TO TAKE A CHANCE.
MUSTANGS,WE'VE HAD A FEW OVER THE YEARS. LOVE THEM.
HELLO TO ENGLAND.
GRANNY
I don't really remember that year very well since I was just hatched, but for some strange reason remember 1974, 76 and 79 very well. My memory of cars back then focused on a little gizmo GM installed on their hood of their car which housed two tiny lights one was on the driver's side and the other on the passenger side. The small lights were faced towards the two. As a child, I was unaware what they were so I thought they were insects, but the truth of the matter was that they were high and low beam indicators...
ReplyDeleteMare - I had a '65 Mustang, loved that car and would love to still be driving it today. It was blue, matched my eyes. lol
ReplyDeleteCasey, did anyone answer your question about Ross? In addition to Leno he is on Chelsea Lately on a fairly regular basis. I think maybe that was what Granny was watching. I like Chelsea but not her show, I know that's odd...
ReplyDeleteThanks, Annie, oyes, Granny mentioned Chelsea. I've never seen her show, but I've caught her on talk shows before. I'll have to try to remember to see her show sometime.
ReplyDelete