Mach 1 Club

1) Who is the stylist/designer most credited with the basic design of the 71 Mustang?

2) What was the early proposed name for the high-performance 351-powered Mustang that eventually became known as BOSS 351?

3) What engine was proposed but ultimately never available in the 71?

4) Name 2 of the 3 specific exterior design features that debuted and made thier only appearance on 71-73 Mustang.

5) Which 429- powered Mustangs did not come with a rev-limiter?

I'll take a whack at this - 1. Bunkie Knudson
2. I have no idea
3. The boss 302
4. Hidden Wipers, front spoiler-bumper,
flush door handles
5. The '71 429



GXR

Question 2 - SR-2?

Answers:

1) Gale Halderman and his team are the group resposible for the basic design of the 71 Mustang. Several desjgn teams were challenged to come up with early proposals, and upon viewing them on display in the Rotunda, Knudsen immediately picked Halderman's effort as the design to move forward with, wjthout even looking at or considering the other team's efforts. Considering that Halderman was an ex-GM guy that came over shortly after Knudsen, this infuriated the old-school Ford guys and made Knudsen even more unpopular at Ford. The direction by Knudsen to incorporate the 69 Shelby look into the new Mustang is clearly evident. Even thkugh the 71-73 Mustang was the least succesful version up to that time, the car was hated by many within Ford, with several executives publicly insulting the car with thier own nicknames. Hal Sperlich called it "A monstrosity...the one that looks like it hit the wall." Larry Shinoda derisevly called it "the aircraft carrier". Iacocca hated the car, Knudsen and anything to do with it or him. He called it "Bunkie's folly filly". Most everyone did not like it, and those responsible for the final trim and decorative markings refused to display the Ford name or emblem anywhere on the exterior or interior of the car, a sly statement that they felt it was not a true Ford product. The only places the name "FORD" appears are on parts that were also used on other car lines such as hubcaps, steering wheels, radios, door sills, etc...but it does not appear anywhere on the car as a part of its nomenclature package. I believe this is the only example of any modern Ford to do so.

But...I don't care. I love the looks if this car above all other Mustangs!

2) "351 H.O."

3) Besides the BOSS 302, there were early plans to install the BOSS 429 into the 71 Mustang, one of the feasons for the cavernous engine bay.

4) full-width grill, full-length hood and hidden wipers...all specific GM styling features included at the behest of Knudsen

5) Only the 429 CJ in conjunction with a C6 transmission came without a rev limiter. The 4-speed CJs and all SCJs (regardless of transmission) came with rev limiters.