To the naysayers of the '05 Mustang, we have a poignant message to send-sit down, shut up, and take a long, hard look. The car spread before you is nothing less than a stunning example of the present and future of Ford's illustrious ponycar, and a clear sign of the good times that lie ahead. Put to rest those concerns about Ford's decision to find inspiration in its past, because H&R has stirred up a combination that should have enthusiasts of all ages falling hook, line, and sinker. You like the heritage lines that recall the heyday of the '60s? They're fully intact. Prefer a thoroughly modern machine that takes a back seat to no one in terms of attitude, style, performance, and potential? Look no further.
If you recall our coverage of the fall '04 SEMA show in Las Vegas, then you're likely cognizant of the fact that the new Mustang was the featured vehicle of the exhibition. As such, the world got its best glimpse of modified '05s to date, with a variety of manufacturers presenting their spin on how to turn a great shape into a veritable show stopper. Standing tall amongst the crowd was this effort from German suspension manufacturer H&R, who left the scene toting an Outstanding Achievment in Design award bestowed by none other than Ford Motor Company.
H&R President Roland Graef explained that after several Ford-based SEMA ventures in the past, it was natural to put together a new Mustang GT to display his company's wares, which will include more items for the '05 than were offered for any previous Mustang platform. With a new GT delivered to H&R's stateside facility in Bellingham, Washington, a scant month before SEMA, the work immediately ramped up to high speed and was finished mere hours before the transporter rolled up for the ride into Sin City.
H&R's European heritage dictated against anything along the lines of a traditional vintage theme here-i.e. Boss, Shelby, Mach, and so on-no doubt Ford itself will score numerous victories in this genre. What you see has elements of the DTM series European sedan racing, WRC rallying, and even some cues that recall Ford of Europe's road race Capris. Of some surprise is a first that we can recollect on a Mustang-a roof scoop that is more commonly associated with rally cars and mid-engine exotics such as Saleen's S7. Depending on the car, cool air from such a scoop may be directed to the engine or the cockpit, with the intent clearly for the latter in this instance. Truthfully, the scoop doesn't function in this application despite the dummy HVAC registers nestled in the headliner, but that doesn't detract from the craftsmanship exhibited in the English wheel-formed sheet metal-work credited to H&R's talented neighbor Chuck McCoy of Camtec. When H&R and Ford were discussing the project prior to launch, Dearborn asked H&R to come up with some different ideas, and we'd guess the roof scoop surely qualifies.
As it turns out, Camtec did a lot more than just fabricate the roof scoop-it also got the call for the rollcage, rear-seat delete, front splitter/spoiler, and adjustable rear wing. The trick-looking spoiler is built from ABS and may see later production in fiberglass and/or carbon fiber. Unfortunately, there are no such plans to mass market the rear wing, which is inspired by the previously mentioned DTM racers, and sports aluminum end pieces with twin, adjustable carbon-fiber horizontal sections.