Labor Day weekend is upon us in the United States, which marks the unofficial end of summer. I’m that eternal optimist who doesn’t consider summer actually gone until the fall equinox arrives on September 22nd. Yep… I’ll be doing all kinds of summery things until the very end, as long as there’s sunshine and / or reasonably warm temperatures. That glass is half-full, Baby. Still, I’ve always considered it a very good thing to be able to let go of stuff when it’s time. One of my goals for this year was to try to live and experience things more fully in the present, and try not to let the subtle, nagging dread of the fun being over taint positive experiences and adventures in the midst of enjoyment.
I have a decided bent toward nostalgia (as I’m sure much of the CC readership would concur), which can be a good thing in decent measure, but a curse if it becomes your life. It has been a very good summer for me, and I have been mostly successful in my goal of carpe diem, albeit with room for improvement. With that said, there are certain, recurring touchstones that bring me joy, one of those things being a viewing of the original, 1974 movie “Gone In 60 Seconds”, starring the late, inimitable stunt man, H. B. Halicki, and a yellow 1973 Ford Mustang Mach I Sportsroof fastback named “Eleanor” (pictured above).
In my mind, and the time I first watched this movie in the early ’90s, that car-crash-fest managed to give immense personality to what was, up to that time, one of my least favorite iterations and bodystyles of the Ford Mustang. This movie changed all of that. It’s hard not to respect a car that’s not only still running after being flogged nearly to death by a car thief on the run, but still speeding with amazing resilience and seeming effortlessness as it roars through the streets of no less than six cities in Southern California.
To this day, the sight of a 1971 – ’73 Mustang Sportsroof reminds me of that movie, as did this car. It’s not hard for me not to feel nostalgia when I’m back home in Flint, Michigan, where I spotted our featured car and where I spent my formative years. My other half recently remarked to a group of our friends in the area (and with no trace of malice) that Flint could be referred to as “The Used-To-Be City”. Nobody laughed, and I bristled (still love ya, Babe), but for an outsider who’s not from around those parts, that could very well be the common perception. There are still many great things in and around the Flint area, even if they’re not as numerous or the all of the same ones many of us from the region remember and cherish from Genesee County’s more prosperous past.
The sight of classic cars tooling around familiar streets in the summertime puts me in such a happy, mental place, like I’m riding my favorite, blue Schwinn through the streets and on the sidewalks of my old neighborhood with my shirt off, no-hands, no helmet, and with an orange popsicle in one hand. The sounds of various lawnmowers hum in the background and the sweet smell of freshly-cut grass is in the air, while the occasional, screaming guitar solo or thumping bass (or both… I love Flint!) from a passing car punctuates the ambient sounds of traffic and conversation in the East Court Street area. The occasional, tinkling bells of an ice cream truck can be heard faintly in the distance, alternately increasing and decreasing in volume, as the van winds around. Dogs bark, and joggers stop to chat, as heard through my house’s front screen door…
Wait. I’m doing it again. What I will say is that with regard to enjoying things in the present moment, it is because I have been so deliberate in trying to experience life and living it throughout this season that I will be able to move forward without regrets that I should have done more, or that my summer somehow felt “robbed” or unfulfilled in some way. Fall will be here shortly, which will present another set of opportunities to live in the right-now. When autumn arrives, I am confident that I will be able to look behind at this summer (with the rear, three-quarter view of our featured car being, in my opinion, its most flattering) knowing that it was time well spent, and worth every second, penny, and adventure. To the here and now.
Downtown Flint, Michigan.
Thursday, August 17, 2017.
A hearty second of the motion about living in the here and now. That’s why it’s called the present, because it is a present.
It’s hard to remember the last time I saw one of these that didn’t have “Mach 1” slathered all over it or wasn’t a coupe. Quite the nice catch and a wonderful read to start an early day.
“That’s why it’s called the present, because it is a present.”.
Amen, Brother Shafer.
Rounding out the thought, a mural went up on the side of a building in my neighbourhood last year with the caption ‘The present is a gift’.
The first time I saw it I stared at it for a while my brain flicked back and forth a few times 🙂
I saw a Grande notch last month. It was gone too fast to get a picture, but it hangs out around Vancouver
What an excellent point. To see a sportsroof sans stickers, spoilers, and flat black paint is a rarity. Wearing whitewalls hupcaps, and probably the base engine? A near Unicorn.
Wonderfully evocative as always, Joseph. Living in the here and now is something I’m trying to do a better job of.
I like this a lot. Looks like maybe a little upgrade in the exhaust, but a subtle color, whitewalls, and the plain wheel covers.
The going away shot with the sun glint is very nice.
As an eternal pessimist who dreads the end of summer from the time summer begins, these shots cheer me up. Beautiful photography, as always.
There is a ’71-73 Sportsroof Mustang that lives near me – usually covered in its driveway, but easily identifiable by that unmistakable shape (and the wheel covers). One day earlier this year I drove by and it was uncovered – an original, non-spoilered, non-Mach1 example. Looks like it’s seen better days, but still I was quite surprised, and it sports a vanity license plate saying something like “ONE ONR,” so I’ll make the assumption that it’s a one-owner car.
It took me about 30 years to warm up to the Sportsroof. I used to think it was shaped like a block of cheese, and not a car, but recently my opinion’s softened a bit. And your find, with its subtlety intriguing color and a backdrop that suits the car perfectly, is a wonderful example. The Used-To-Be-Sportscar in the Used-To-Be-City. A perfect remedy for the end of summer.
First of all, beautiful photos!
Second of all, ’64-66 Mustangs practically blend into the scenery now for me like Camrys. They’re like the go-to car for people that want an American classic here and it’s just so unoriginal. It’s not that they’re bad cars, but they’re the ’57 Chevy of pony cars. I’m over them. But these ’71-73 models? (And, to a lesser extent, the ’69-70) I will stop and look at every time.
What was it Car & Driver or Motor Trend said about the Sportsroof? “Looking over your shoulder, you have a great view of the sky with a thin band of road visible”? These look so exaggerated and yet so cool, but the design isn’t perfect and the notchback borders on awkward. A ’71-73 convertible though? Then we’d be cookin’…
As for nostalgia, I can’t say I ever really wish I could go back in time in my life. But hey, maybe when I’m in my 40s I’ll be thinking about my 20s longingly.
Blink twice and you’ll be in your 40s. No joking.
Enjoy yourself. It’s later than you think.
And blink twice after that and you’ll be in your 60s and wondering, “What happened?”
The bane of my existence right now. Therapy is helping, David.
What happened?
I`m in my 60s, and let me tell you,time FLIES. At least I can look back on those years, the good and the bad, and when all is said and done, there are only a few regrets. Would I like to do it again? I can`t really say….
Blink twice and you’ll be in your FIFTIES… trust me.
My grandfather, who I’ve written about here many times, is now 93. A while back he told the first 50 years go by at a decent pace – not too fast, not too slow. He said the second fifty is when all hell breaks loose as only two months ago he was 60.
I believe him and I believe you.
Had a medium metallic blue sportsroof, whitewalls, same rims, I liked the plain version, except the rear window was the narrowest letterbox in a rear view mirror, I always left the rear seat flipped down, it rattled if I didn’t. Didn’t like them when they first came out, got it after “Sixty Seconds”. Handling was not great standard with big block.
Nostalgia? I had an aunt like “Aunt Mame” She taught me to live at eight years old, I’m still living day by day since. Regrets? a few, not many. I remember most with fondness Too damn many close friends are gone, most lived like I did but didn’t survive it and went young. The few left are a loyal bunch. I lost my lady of 45 years to cancer a few months back, she lived life fully too, when I met her she was driving a ’64 Riviera that matched mine down the the 2x4bbls My son and friends are keeping me going. For her there will be a lot of Nostalgia, I see her every night in dreams. But I also think of her favorite quote from the book “Stroker Ace” If you’re ever gonna stand on it, do it now, ya only get older!” I’m 69 now, with aches and pains, in a wheelchair until the hip is fixed, mentally I’m 19, have to heal up to show my son the “Lincoln Highway. So, STAND ON IT!
A friend just called checking on me. He reminded me what all my friends have said for years, “Don’t try to do whatever Lar does, you’ll get killed trying”
There is longevity in the family that helps, oldest relative was an aunt at 114, she died on the dance floor! The “Auntie Mame” aunt lived fully to 68, discovered cancer, she hadn’t noticed the pain, she was having to much fun, with it found late, she lasted a week, but we still put what she always wanted on her headstone, “Death by Misadventure”
Great pictures. Did you put a filter on these? They look like they could be vintage pics from when the car was new.
Its great to see one of these that is not a tribute or Resale Red.
Thanks, TJ. I did put a filter on these pics, in keeping with the theme of this piece. It’s called “Dusk” from the free, online picture editing software called “Picmonkey”.
I loved that perhaps aside from the exhaust (which Dan Cluley pointed out above), this car looked factory stock. And I’ll add that Ford’s dog-dish hubcaps of this era are 100% on-point – the very best of their kind.
“Yes” on the hubcaps, with the trim rings. It’s a finished look, not bare-bones frugal.
We used to call `em ‘glamor rings’.
Those Ford hubcaps and trim rings are quite attractive. They were used on the contemporary Maverick Grabber, as well. They look surprisingly upscale and almost “sporty.”
Agreed, these were cool looking hub caps/trim rings. Simple but attractive. They look good with white line tires too, even on high performance versions
I always liked this generation Mustang, too. I purchased a very simply optioned ’73 convertible (only thing “power” was the top) brand new with 6 cylinder & 3-speed on the floor. Due to the first “gas crisis” then, I traded in my ’72 Dodge Polara 2-door hardtop with 360 V-8 on it – looking back, perhaps a rather dubious choice. I liked its looks (still do), but had lots of quality issues with it and within two years was rusting through the top of the front fenders. Kept it for 5 years…sold it after some body work and a repaint at that time (before the rust started up again!).
I always thought this generation of Mustangs had some cross pollination with the C3 Corvette. Note the contour similarities in the rear treatments.
Larry Kiyoshi (aka Larry Shinoda), a GM styling principal heavily involved in the C3 design evolution was also reportedly instrumental in the design language of the 1970-1973 Mustang when he and Bunkie Knudsen had a short sojourn at Ford before being fired/sacked/bounced by HF II and Iacocca.
Although this generation was generally considered oversized, a supersized(!) Mustang, if you will, those designs, and especially that of the convertible, are still pleasantly agreeable to me, decades later, especially compared to the next generation, Iacocca’s Pinto based baby,the Mustang II.
The older I get, the more I enjoy this convertible design as well as its companion fastback as seen in your article. The ungainly Notchback of this generation, not so much.
So thanks to you both, Mr. Joseph Dennis and Don, for a delightful article and commentary/photos.
+1 the convertible design is very underrated on these, and I never put together the C3 connection until now, which seems incredibly plausible.
Edit: on point, C3 influence then may in fact be the primary inspiration of the Coupe buttresses too
You didn’t see as many of these in Genesee County when I was younger compared to anything GM. Catching a few pics of that Mustang cruising over the Flint River bridge would be almost as rare then as it is now.
As always, really well done pics Joseph. The muted colors do lend a period feel for sure. I’m always struck how much this generation Mustang sacrificed passenger space, visibility, and practical scale, for style. It really helped the set the stage for the Mustang II. Making the the ‘II’ seem like a better design than it was.
Compared to say 15-20 years ago, I think we can safely consider September a ‘summer’ month now. With October/November being more reflective of the start of Fall weather. I do like this time of year, with the edge off the heat and humidity.
This generation of Mustang has always been my least favorite. I think that opinion was probably formed by my memories of seeing these clapped out, with lame modifications, terminal rust, clouds of blue smoke behind them and audible valve taps throughout my childhood in the later 70’s and early 80’s. This one has changed my negative opinion of these however. It just looks so clean and sleek, which highlights the better (and probably originally intended by the designers) aspects of the design. As Jason noted above, it’s VERY rare to see one of these without some lame-ass hot rod affectations, or without the gaudier factory option packages that sullied the integrity of the design. I’m loving this one.
And FWIW I got a slight waive of goosebumps reading that amazingly evocative stream-of-consciousness flashback to childhood in the neighborhood. I felt for a moment like I’d just hopped out of a Delorean in Flint, circa 1980. Such a sweet trip.
“And FWIW I got a slight waive of goosebumps reading that amazingly evocative stream-of-consciousness flashback to childhood in the neighborhood.”
Yes, captured it perfectly.
MTN (and Ed), thank you so much. I’m tempted, on my train commute home, to stop at the store for some orange-flavored popsicles, just because I want one, now!
Another fine bit of writing, Mr. Dennis. And what a great subject car. I remember really loving these when they came out. I was 12 in 1971 and this bulked-up Mustang was right in line with the sensibilities of a 12 year old male. I liked the original, but this was cooool, baby.
I have cycled through disgust and apathy towards these and am coming to like them again. Your example is (as some others have noted) a wonderful uncommon color and without all the stripes and such that I loved at 12. This is a Mustang for adults. And yes, those hubcaps/trim rings were the best Ford ever did.
I disliked these Clydesdale Mustangs when they were new, but as with other things, time has made me reevaluate them. Certainly this is the nicest example of the breed I think I’ve ever seen. Most of the ones I remember from forty-odd years ago were ugly notchbacks in a loud color, festooned with go-faster tape. This big Mustang is downright elegant, aided by the color and yes, the hubcaps and trim rings. Nice photos!
Clydesdales are a product of their time, just as much as the Mustang II was. People wanted bigger, and they got it. If you just take it for what it is, an early 70s car, you can appreciate it. If you judge it against the original, or a modern one, not so much. However, that is the issue with any model. Taken in context, they usually work. If you compare this one to most other Mustangs, it ranks higher only to the Mustang II. But, like a real Clydesdale, they have their own charms, and what else would you prefer to haul Budweiser with?
You make an excellent point. Bloat, whether actual or just visual, was really in style in 1970-73. Vic’s comment about the C3 Corvette makes me think that it might have accelerated the trend. Is there a single new vehicle of the 1970-72 period that was not bigger and heavier than its predecessor? If there were there were mighty few of them. From the GM B and C body sedans to the Eldorado to the Mark IV to the Barracuda to the AMC Javelin, almost everything out there was longer and wider than what it had replaced. Every trend plays on until it becomes too much, and there is a backlash. The 71-73 Mustang has a lot of company.
Well, at least the biggest Mustang never got the five mph bumpers.
Happy Motoring, Mark
The 73 used a 5-mph bumper in front. It just wasn’t of the railroad tie variety, but more like the Corvette or F bodies
Of course I meant the 1974 ‘railroad-ties’.
The 1973 standard called for 2.5 mph rear and 5 mph front bumpers that prevented “functional” damage to safety systems, lights and fuel system.
The ‘real’ 5 mph bumper standards for 1974 called for a standard bumper height, allowed “No” damage to the above systems, front and rear, even at “angle” impacts, and typically required modifications to the car’s frame or body.
Happy Motoring, Mark
While I’m not sure the extent it conforms, it was deeper and taller than the 71-72 bumpers. It’s no different in essence than the execution of the 73 Corvette, which went on unchanged to 1979. It also has impact brackets, unlike the simple ones used to support the 71&72 versions, see attached pic
Lovely atmospheric shots of a beautiful specimen of a much-maligned car!
In southern Arizona, October is really our September. September is a continuation of August, hot, humid, maybe even rainy, despite the sun moving south and the days rapidly getting shorter. We get only the tiniest glimpse of what is to come as the heat starts to slack off late in the month. No, October is our golden month, when everyone really comes alive again, the days are still warm but the nights are beginning to cool. Everyone comes out of the air conditioning and begins to enjoy being outside again. It’s my favorite time of the year.
What a great story with a timely message as we face another Labor Day. (Which, for me, was always the end of summer. Even more so now that I have children. They are already back in school for another year.) Although, as I get older, I’m appreciating fall more and more.
Your photos have achieved something I didn’t believe was possible – namely, making this generation of Mustang look attractive. It has always been my least favorite Mustang. The only Mustang from this generation that I liked was the Corgi version, which was a red fastback with a black roof panel.
I remember watching “Gone In 60 Seconds” at the theater, and although I cringed at the sheer number of (now RARE) cars that were totalled, I couldn’t resist in participating (along w/many others) in “peeling out” of the parking lot! Labor Day always has a tinge of sadness for me (especially now that I’m older) as it reminds me of things not yet accomplished, winter cold ahead, and more time behind that in front. As far as memories are concerned, I think they were best summed up in the line: “Memories may be beautiful and yet, what’s too painful to remember, we simply choose to forget!” Now I’m going to go out and ENJOY these beautiful remaining summer days!! 🙂
I think live in the present despite my love for old cars, but I get the winter SADs bad and it starts setting in around October. This year will be particularly bad because much of summer itself was so early fall like weather wise.
I liked these Mustangs the most as a kid, but even though I love the H.B. Halicki Gone in 60 Seconds and the starring Mustang, my cinematic introduction to these was going through the James Bond movie marathon on TBS and seeing Diamonds are Forever with the red Mach 1 being chased through the Vegas strip. Despite the botched alley stunt at the end, that was easily the best car chase of all the Sean Connery movies. Seeing Gone in 60 Seconds much later(on the poorly remastered DVD unfortunately) was just icing on the cake.
My love for them has waned as an adult, now I’d say they’re my least favorite of the 65-73 generation, but it’s not because of how supposedly fat and heavy they are or all the other accusations. It’s the styling, pure and simple. Under the skin this is still a 1965 Mustang, which should put some perspective into their perceived hugeness(these are a foot in a half shorter than the 71 Torino), there’s only so much tumblehome and overhang that can be added to a basic chassis, and these simply look exaggerated because up front the headlights are no longer set back into the fenders, they’re right beside the always protruding grille. While there was weight gain, 65s were tin cans – they had no front torque boxes and many other structural deficiencies, the trunk floor was the top of the fuel tank, and sound deadening was nonexistent – the remedy for having a stronger, safer and more quiet structure is weight(as definitely seen with today’s truly porky Mustangs), but the reason that weight hurt these so much was that only performance engines advanced since 1965 to compensate, while the six and base V8 were barely any more powerful than they were to begin with.
The styling however hurt it, using the previous Shelby design as an influence worked great on the 1969 sportsroof because Shelby simply embellished the Mustang lines in 67-68, and the 69 coupes and convertibles were mostly unaffected (most of their bloat came with refining the Mercury Cougar). The 69 Shelby however was trying to be as differentiated from the Mustang as the Cougar was, so it didn’t simply look like a tarted up Mustang. Using that as the clear jumping off point for Ford stylists for 71 was inherently flawed, and indeed hampered it’s appeal for all but those seeking out performance models during the decline of them. The Coupe simply looked bad, the convertible was attractive but no performance variants were available for those who wanted them, plus sales were waning anyway, and really the styling was too plain to not have scoops and stripes everywhere. As evidence, Ford toyed with a Mustang nicknamed “quarter horse” in 1970 to replace the Boss 429 and Shelby GT midyear and the result aesthetically is the proto 1971.
“I am confident that I will be able to look behind at this summer… knowing that it was time well spent, and worth every second, penny, and adventure. To the here and now.”
Very well said, Joseph. It reminds me of a passage from an old Sanskrit poem that I used in my high school valedictory speech many long years back: “Each today well lived makes every yesterday a dream of happiness, and every tomorrow a vision of hope. Look, therefore, to this one day, for it alone is life.” Words to live by, I recite them to myself often.
That said, I always thought this version of the ’71-’73 Mustang was one of the better lookers. But as for drivability, well, that teeny tiny gun-slit rear window was perhaps its worst attribute. I rented one of these in Las Vegas in the course of my first job out of grad school, I remember how nearly impossible it was to see anything out of that 6″ slot. But it was a fun car, nonetheless.
Last year I bought All original 8100 miles 1973 Mustang Coupe 302 V8 Auto , manual windows , Factory AC , Factory AM radio
A beautiful machine from the 70s!
Wow! I’d love to hear the story behind that car.
I hope you enjoy every minute of your ownership.
I would much rather be able to go to my Ford dealer and buy a pristine 71-73 of ANY trim with a 302 or bigger than the larger and heavier 2018 one they sell now. When did Mustangs turn fugly??
Saw this as a child and forever loved that car… Iconic Mr Bond at his best…
Thats Sean Connery in ” Diamonds Are Forever ” one my favourite actors & Bond films!
Thank you so much for posting this! I love how The Plaza at the end of Fremont was still under construction during this filming (I’ve stayed there before). I’m quite familiar with this stretch of Fremont Street, but only wish I could have experienced it when it looked like this!
I have seen “Diamonds” before, but not since my first (of many) trips to LV. 🙂
Joseph, I think your beautiful golden photos capture what the original artist sketches were trying to get to, a lightness of line, a sleekness, missing from some of the brawnier versions. I can see the lineage to some of my favourite 60’s cars, Italian as well as from the USA. I’m loving the brow line over the front wheels.
Joseph thank you for capturing some of summers sights, smells and sounds. Much the same in my neighbourhood where I grew up in Edmonton.
As for t he 71 Mustang “Sportsroof” I had little love for them back then. Me and the boys were very disappointed checking out the new Ford models at a downtown dealer. Especially the Mustangs and the fastback in particular. But now, hmm my eyes see those Mustangs in a different way. Time does that…
I much prefer the convertible version of this Bloated Body Mustang.
Wasn’t this generation built on the mid-sized Ford Torino chassis?
No. Same chassis as the 1965s, some front suspension changes were similar to the 70-71 Torino though
The bloated 70-73 Mustangs are actually derived from the original Falcon platform and from the later 1965 Mustang derivation. This hard to believe issue of pulling and stretching of the Falcon platform has been well covered by Paul N. in the following detailed post: An amazing story!
https://www.curbsideclassic.com/automotive-histories/automotive-history-fords-falcon-platform-from-falcon-to-versailles-in-18-different-wheelbase-lengthtrack-width-variations/
I recall a couple of car magazines (in the later 1970’s) saying the 1971-73 models were built on the mid sized Torino chassis.
Difficult to believe how this longer, wider, bloated pretender-to-the-pony-car throne was still built on the basic 1960 Falcon chassis!
“midsize proportions” often get thrown around with them, I don’t know where and when that started but it was probably an uninformed jab based on the valid criticism of the rather unmustang like styling and being yet another restyle that added inches to the design. The reality is they never got within a foot of 200 inches (ok, 73 did with it’s mandated bumper extensions, but every other car did that year) and actually seen side by side the 71-73 Mustang is clearly smaller than the 70-71 Torino in every dimension, especially inside where these Mustangs clearly didn’t gain any dimensions from 1965.
Lovely shots; evocative and nostalgia-inducing. And that goes for the write-up too.
I’ve had a complicated relationship with these ever since they were new, but that seems to have dissipated. Great period pieces, and as others have noted, not at all big compared to modern cars.
Always happens when something becomes few and far between. Like the thread on the Audi Fox which wasn’t my favorite car. If I saw you drive past me the other direction I would probably break my neck turning to watch it go by. Then I would go I remember when…
What a fine piece, Joseph – and pics, thank you. I’ve always liked these Mustangs and never quite understood the disdain they’ve engendered over the years. Another + on the handsome caps/trim rings.
The Bond Mustang was on exhibit with a large collection of Bond movie cars at the London Film Museum in 2014. Thanks to a comment here on CC, I found out about the exhibit just before departing for London.
Another lovely piece, JD. RE: that final 3/4 shot, my first thought is that rear visibility must have been horrid, or horribly distorted.
Another great find, Joseph. Looks like the car Jim Rockford drove before the Mustang II came out and he switched to Camaro’s.
The fastback version of the ’70-’73 Mustang is so much better looking than the frumpy notchback version. This car looks like new. Summer in PNW is still going strong with triple digits predicted to be coming up. Hopefully good weather continues at least through September, but the rains won’t stay away much longer.
Wow. When I first glanced at the cover pic I thought it was a period shot. Lovely modulated tones, Joseph
Thank you for another wonderful read.
Please, get rich big time and adopt a CC. There’s an eager audience for your wide ranging tales of adventure. Especially with pictures – there must be pictures just like this.
Thanks so much, everyone, for the kind words in this thread. Until I can afford a CC of my own, photographing and writing about them is going to have to suffice for me! See you in September.
If you compare the Mustang to the other pony cars of the era, you’ll see that they are all about the same size and weight. The Oct 1971 Motor Trend comparison tested the 1972 pony cars, and listed below are the specifications: Camaro – L = 188″, W = 74.4″, Weight = 3,336. Javelin – L = 191.8″, W = 75.2″, Weight = 3,300. Firebird – L = 191.6″, W = 73.4″, Weight = 3,241. ‘Cuda – L = 186.6″, W = 74.9″, Weight – 3,625. Mustang – L = 189.5″, W – 74.1″, Weight = 3,300. All were V8 and auto except for the ‘Cuda which had a 4 speed. So yes the Mustang grew, and it’s engines were pretty anemic, but the same can be said about all the other pony cars.