Ford wants to remind you of all the times the Mustang had good paint by giving it a bad paint job
When was the last time you saw it? a really good racing outfit? Think about it for a minute. A great standalone paint color that will be look back as an icon in fifty years’ time, something that isn’t a throwback or an homage, something that isn’t just a combination of black, white, and red—it’s truly a rarity these days. I will say that It’s good that Ford added some bright colors ARRIVE IMSA grid this summer, but it will be much cooler If the new Mustang driver gets to wear a proper racing outfit, it’s more than just a reminder of the times when Mustang drivers had good outfits. This is so lame, and if you look deep into your heart, you’ll know it’s true too.
Ford isn’t the only one doing this recently, as Porsche did a similar “remember when?” the return of the new 963 prototype at Le Mans. It was lame then, and it is lame now. Stop half-assing your designs and come up with a new livery that fans can connect with. This colorful bag gives off a faux nostalgia and it would be unrecognizable on merchandise or models. Why is the Motorcraft paint job or the yellow and black hockey-striped Bud Moore Trans Am Mustangs remembered? Not only are they successful racing cars, but they also have a simple, iconic and easily recognizable design.
The Mustang GT3 is a truly great car, if not exactly fast. Ford should absolutely honor this new extension of the Mustang’s racing history by giving it a look all its own, one that could stand the test of time.
On the contrary, Ford wants you to remember the times they created winning Mustangs in the past. This car wears its ancestral coats just as the social elite wear animal skins as evening coats.
Ford says the red color symbolizes Alan Mann Racing’s 1-2 finish at the 1964 Tour de France. Of course, the Wimbledon White and Guardsman Blue colors of the iconic original Shelby GT350 are both present, indicating the SCCA B-Prod championship from 1965 to 1967 by Jerry Titus. The yellow Boss 302 Mustang school bus of Parnelli Jones and George Follmer dominated the 1970 Trans-Am season and captured the car’s left front fender. The 1981 Motorcraft Zakspeed car represented a new era for the Mustang in motorsport, while Roush’s green-and-black monster entered All Sport in 1997 and racked up 11 Trans-Am wins. consecutively with Tommy Kendall at the wheel.
Ford’s pair of IMSA Mustang GT3s will wear the livery at the Laguna Seca and Detroit championships this summer. It would be nice to see some color on the battlefield, but I can’t see this appearing in the history books. It just feels dishonest. Maybe you don’t agree. Maybe I will be proven wrong. Who knows?
