In this edition of Muscle Car Milestones, we’ll take a look back at the 2003-2004 Ford Mustang Mach 1. Ford dug deep into the Mustang’s past back in the early 2000s and recreated one of its legendary nameplates. The original Mach 1 was a fastback with attitude. One that many believed was one of the best Mustangs ever created. That’s a hard act to follow. The question now is, would the modern-day interpretation follow in its hoof prints? Let’s take a look and find out.

“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.” Matthew Phenix, Automobile Magazine, May 2003

Ford brought back the Mustang Mach 1 after a 25 year hiatus. This retro-inspired coupe featured styling cues from the original such as a black front air-dam extension, a black rear spoiler, and black striping on the hood and lower side panels and doors. It also included the original Mach 1’s signature shaker hood scoop finished in black. 17-inch Heritage wheels and body side scoops round out the package. 2004 models also included 40^th Anniversary badging on the front fenders and rear deck.

The interior is a bit of a throwback to the 1969 model. Climb inside and one of the first things you notice is the Mach 1’s exclusive “comfortweave” Midnight Black leather seats. They’re six-way power adjustable and feature four-way adjustable head restraints. And if you opted for the Interior Upgrade Package, you got aluminum-finish door lock posts, a gray metallic finish on the center panel and shifter bezel, and stainless steel pedals and footrest.

The Mustang Mach 1 was a good alternative for those that didn’t want to pay the price of a Cobra but wanted more power than the GT. Under the hood lies an all-aluminum, 4.6-liter DOHC modular V8 creating 305 horsepower and 320 lb.-ft. of torque. This R-code engine also has specially calibrated camshafts, a ram-air system, a 10.1:1 compression ratio, and performance exhausts manifolds. A five-speed manual transmission was standard with the option of a four-speed 4R70W automatic with electronic overdrive.

Out back, the Mach 1 utilizes a new rear axle with a high-torque differential and a 3.55:1 axle ratio. The suspension is also firmer for an improved ride and better handling. The Mach 1 also includes front and rear stabilizer bars, gas-pressurized Tokico struts, and 13-inch Brembo front rotors.

The automotive press was more than happy to put the new Mach 1 to the test. Motor Trend scored a 0 to 60 time of 5.3 seconds and ran the quarter mile in 13.80 seconds at 102.5 mph. Car and Driver also put the Mach 1 through its paces and chalked up a 0 to 60 time of 5.2 seconds and sprinted the quarter mile in 14.0 seconds running 103 mph. Even by today’s standards, those times are still pretty quick. In comparison, the 1969 Mach 1 with the 428 Cobra Jet could go from 0 to 60 in 5.5 seconds and run the quarter in 13.90 seconds at 103.32 seconds.

Just like the original, the 2003-2004 Mach 1 was a force to be reckoned with. It came out at a time when others had given up on the pony car. Its run may have been short but this iteration of the Mach 1 proved there was still life in the pony car segment. Fifteen years after its release, the 2003-2004 Mach 1 is still turning heads and commanding attention wherever it goes.

Specifications (fordperformance.com):

Engine
Type: 90-degree DOHC 32-valve V-8
Displacement: 4.6L / 281 CID
Horsepower: 305 hp @ 5,800 RPM
Torque: 320 lbs.-ft. @ 4,200 RPM
Bore x Stroke: 90.2mm x 90mm
Compression: 10.1:1

Suspension
Front: Independent, modified MacPherson strut with separate spring on lower arm and 26.5-mm stabilizer bar.
Rear: Four-bar link with coil springs on lower arm, unique horizontal axle damper and 23-mm solid stabilizer bar

Brakes
Front: 13.0 in. Brembo disc, Aluminum dual-piston custom anondized caliper
Rear: 11.6 in. vented disc, single-piston caliper
ABS: Four-channel ABS system, linked to all-speed traction control

Wheels
Wheels: 17 x 8 in 5-spoke “Heritage” wheels
Tires: 245/45ZR17 Goodyear Eagle ZR45

Performance
0 to 60 mph: 5.6 seconds (Motor Trend)
60 to 0 braking: 120 feet (Motor Trend)
1/4-mile @ MPH: 13.88 seconds @ 101.9 mph (Motor Trend)

Production
Total Produced (Coupe Only): 7,182
Torch Red: 2,513
Azure Blue: 2,250
Black: 1,611
Dark Shadow Grey: 1,595
Zinc Yellow: 869
Oxford White: 814