The Ford Motor Company has an uncomfortable recent history of lobbing out badge-and-decal special editions of decidedly un-special cars. Recall the Mustang II-era "Cobra" models, the 1984-1/2 twentieth-anniversary "GT350" Mustang, or any Mercury Cougar in the last quarter of a century that's worn the XR-7 badge. With the arrival of the 2003 Mustang Mach 1, however, we think those dark days are officially over. The new Mach 1, like its 1969 progenitor, is the real deal: a barking, snapping, ass-happy animal. It's just about perfect.
Whereas the 1969 Mach 1 came with a 250-horsepower 351-cubic-inch V-8 as standard equipment, and offered an optional 320-horse 390 V-8, as well as 335- and 360-horse 428s, new Mach arrives in just one strength. Beneath that signature shaker hood lurks the normally aspirated, 32-valve, DOHC 4.6-liter V-8 that formerly powered the SVT Cobra (which now uses a supercharged version of the engine). This was one of the world's best performance engines in the SVT 'Stang, and nothing's changed for Mach 1 duty: It's still an absolute gem. At idle, the 4.6 is positively Lexus-like in its smoothness. Walk around back, however, and feel the burble resonate in your chest from the fat dual pipes.... Read full article