Tuesday 13th May 2014

Ford Mustang GT390: You Know You Want To

The Mustang is 50 this year, so why not mark the occasion with the most famous of them all?

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Yes, we know the official Mustang 50th birthday has passed. But Porsche managed to eke a year out of the 911's 50th, so surely we can extend the same privilege to Ford? And yes, it is a real Mustang GT390.

Not actually as gigantic as you may think

If you need to be told why a Highland Green GT390 is one of the most iconic cars in history then PH probably isn't the right place to be. Along with that silver DB5, a white Esprit Turbo and, um, that other 60s Mustang, this is one of the most recognisable movie cars ever. And of course it wasn't just a perfectly cast vehicle for the film and character, it was involved in a brilliant car chase too.

Would it work in Britain? Difficult one. For every instance of Steve McQueen imitation in the sunshine (and with no guarantee of approval from others), there would be a rainy B-road and the Mustang would feel as out of place as a Taco Bell in St Neots.

Even in the advert photos it looks a little forlorn in the damp conditions; a car so inextricably linked with sunny San Fran almost needs those conditions to appeal once more. Doesn't it?

Desperately cool or hopelessly naff?

Having said that, the photos do make the Mustang's size look a little less daunting than perhaps first expected. It's only 30mm longer than a 4 Series and a fraction narrower so wouldn't be unimaginably massive behemoth to drive around the UK we always think US cars will be. All LHD haters who never comment on E30 M3s and Delta Integrales best make your voices known now too.

The advert doesn't mention any recent work other than a new engine but even at its freshest the GT390 won't be the most precise tool in the world. But then that's never really been the muscle car way.

It was an exceptionally cool car in Bullitt with Steve McQueen driving but would it be the same in Britain with you behind the wheel? Only one way to find out...

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FORD MUSTANG GT390
Price: £64,950
Why you should: One of the legendary muscle cars in the best colour
Why you shouldn't: Don't drive your heroes?

See the original advert here.

 

[Bladedancer]

Do I want a GT390 - probably.
Do I want an Eleanor - HELL YEAH.

[alpha channel]

I like very much (and would have if I could actually afford to buy one) but I think there are better colours to be had than Highland Green, I personally don't think it suites the lines of the car very much (ditto the baby blue one :shudder: that was knocking around my area a couple of years ago).

[Axionknight]

alpha channel said:

I like very much (and would have if I could actually afford to buy one) but I think there are better colours to be had than Highland Green, I personally don't think it suites the lines of the car very much (ditto the baby blue one :shudder: that was knocking around my area a couple of years ago).

Agreed, are they available in a dark grey? That would suit it nicely in my eyes. Cracking motor, with a lot of presence, love it.

[s m]

I'd also like to try a Boss 429 and 302. Second car I owned was a Mach 1 with the CJ option. At 18, I learnt a lot about rwd and car handling in that ...and quickly

[Chicane-UK]

Top of my bucket list of cars I think.. there really aren't many more classics I'd rather own. Absolutely beautiful.

[visaking]

"This superbly executed replica of an iconic car is based on a genuine 390 GT"

What do they mean by this in the ad - that it is a replica with a genuine engine?

[Ecosseven]

Lovely looking car. I remember watching Bullitt over and over again as a kid.

I'm very keen to see the new 2015 Mustang on UK roads. hopefully Ford will keep the price affordable (less than £30k)

[365daytonafan]

visaking said:

"This superbly executed replica of an iconic car is based on a genuine 390 GT"

What do they mean by this in the ad - that it is a replica with a genuine engine?

Suspect they mean replica of the Bullitt car, same colour, wheels etc.

As a side note are there any Mustang 390GTs that aren't Highland green Bullitt replicas now?

[Dr G]

Yes; and have refused to ruin another for a customer that wanted a Bullitt car

The car in the advert is really a 'replica' in colour alone. Wheels, brakes, interior, steering wheel, mirrors, dash...

Possibly 'inspired by' rather than 'replica'.

[Spiderycallum]

Is it possible for me to sell the majority of my organs to pay for this? I can live on half a brain, right?

[wolfracesonic]

If I had to spend £64,000 on one car alone, no. Would I have one in my crazy billionaires ultimate car collection, yes! I wonder which are more numerous, 390GTs turned into Bullitt replicas, or 440 Chargers turned into General Lees?

[Spiderycallum]

Is it possible for me to sell the majority of my organs to pay for this? I can live on half a brain, right?

[angelicupstarts]

Was lucky enough to own a 1966 fastback gt 350 hertz clone ...
Most thought it was a gorgeous looking car , but every now and then I would look at the side view and think it was a awkward design ...could see the standard ford car with a fastback tacked on ....but as far as I can tell I was the odd one out here .
As for driving ...my car had all shelby bits on it , right down to the shelby drop . So it handled way way better then standard .... They are quite small so not much problem parking e.t.c
But in all honestly a pig to drive on B roads ....
An event to drive ...but really from a different era ....
Even with with my car putting out 300 + hp. I had no chance of keeping up with a pug 1600 gti .
I sold it , kept my series one Elise , kept my VW bora V6 all motion , and my wife's mgf .
Will not make myself popular here ....but even the mgf is a better handling faster car on the curves and in real world driving .
And all so much cheaper then the mustangs of the 1960's
I would have to wind it up by saying it was one of the most admired cars I've ever owned ...people taking photos and film of it when I went driving ....but really they are so dated and feel it , there was no great design that went into chassis e.t.c .
I've owned other cars from this era ...jag mk11 , triumphs , mgs , fiat and porsche .....most of them cheaper and all better in everyway to drive !
Anyway .....time to hide ...INCOMING !

[GreatGranny]

Never really got these I'm afraid.

Seems expensive to me considering its a copy :-)

Found this for comparison

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C493190

Edited by GreatGranny on Tuesday 13th May 10:37

[chungasarnies]

wolfracesonic said:

If I had to spend £64,000 on one car alone, no. Would I have one in my crazy billionaires ultimate car collection, yes! I wonder which are more numerous, 390GTs turned into Bullitt replicas, or 440 Chargers turned into General Lees?

Surely General Lees? Saw some bloke driving one round bloody Whitby the other day, looked like it was based (incorrectly) on a '68. Awful

[iloveboost]

As someone else said I read they don't handle or brake well as standard. I like this style of Mustang but maybe one in a brighter colour with some modifications to make it handle and stop like a modern car. This car may make you feel like you're in Bullitt though and it's hard to put a price on a feeling.

[visaking]

365daytonafan said:

visaking said:

"This superbly executed replica of an iconic car is based on a genuine 390 GT"

What do they mean by this in the ad - that it is a replica with a genuine engine?

Suspect they mean replica of the Bullitt car, same colour, wheels etc.

As a side note are there any Mustang 390GTs that aren't Highland green Bullitt replicas now?

I see! Thanks for clarifying :-)

[AndySuperSport]

My wife would leave me if it meant she would own this car.

I have to say I wouldn't blame her :/

[moparmick]

Nice looking car but the 390 wasn't a particularly good engine, very underpowered and overweight. The boss 302 would be a much better alternative or the 428 CJ.
Mick

[Filancia]

angelicupstarts said:

Was lucky enough to own a 1966 fastback gt 350 hertz clone ...
Most thought it was a gorgeous looking car , but every now and then I would look at the side view and think it was a awkward design ...could see the standard ford car with a fastback tacked on ....but as far as I can tell I was the odd one out here .
As for driving ...my car had all shelby bits on it , right down to the shelby drop . So it handled way way better then standard .... They are quite small so not much problem parking e.t.c
But in all honestly a pig to drive on B roads ....
An event to drive ...but really from a different era ....
Even with with my car putting out 300 + hp. I had no chance of keeping up with a pug 1600 gti .
I sold it , kept my series one Elise , kept my VW bora V6 all motion , and my wife's mgf .
Will not make myself popular here ....but even the mgf is a better handling faster car on the curves and in real world driving .
And all so much cheaper then the mustangs of the 1960's
I would have to wind it up by saying it was one of the most admired cars I've ever owned ...people taking photos and film of it when I went driving ....but really they are so dated and feel it , there was no great design that went into chassis e.t.c .
I've owned other cars from this era ...jag mk11 , triumphs , mgs , fiat and porsche .....most of them cheaper and all better in everyway to drive !
Anyway .....time to hide ...INCOMING !

Nice to hear experiance of someone that has owned and used one, it is one of my dream cars and can imagine, like you say, it is a bit of a pig, and an old one at that. Most definetly a car to be seen in rather than a drivers car.