1997 Ford Mustang

1997 Ford Mustang

The 1997 Mustang was almost exactly like the 1996 model. In fact, many critics believe that Mustang design and upgrades simply became stagnant after the 1996 model year, though it was the tail end of what many others believe was the single best generation of Mustangs. Of course, there were some small changes and even a new color offering, but generally the Mustang was unchanged from 1996 to 1997. Ford probably figured that they had a good thing going, why change it for 1997, and consumers tended to agree according to sales records.

The Base Model The term base model makes the most affordable Mustang offering sound boring, but it was anything but uninteresting. Of course, there were both leather and cloth seat offerings for this model year, with cloth upgrades being made standard the year before. The upgraded cloth made even the base model feel more luxurious than previous models. The seats in the base model were different than the seats of the GT as well as the Cobra, as they simply did not have as much reinforcement on the side of the seats. The exterior of the base model was largely the same as it was, offered with 15-inch rims sans the hubcaps. The rear bumper sported the word Mustang across it and a single exhaust tip made it known that the vehicle was the base model as it lacked the dual exhaust seen in the GT and Cobra variants. A 3.8-liter V6 OHV pushrod motor was responsible for power again for the1997 base model, and was a highly respected motor. The motor was capable of producing 150 horsepower and 220 pounds of torque. This horsepower rating was a boost during the 1996 model and proved sufficient enough that no upgrades were made for the 1997 model year, at least in this arena. Many buyers were still leery of the 3.8-liter engine as it had head gasket problems through the middle of 1996, and though all of the faulty vehicles had been recalled and repaired, some consumers still questioned its reliability. Unfortunately, the troubled head gaskets gave the engine a questionable name it didn't deserve, as the 1997 model year was very reliable. The 3.8-liter engine in the base model was coupled with either a manual five speed T-5 or an AOD-E automatic transmission. Ford also fitted the base model with a 7.5-inch solid rear axle with 2.73 gears, minus the sway bar that had been used prior to the 1996 model year. In addition to the sway bar, Ford considered eliminating the dash mounted clock, but decided against it.

Mustang GT 1997 Mustang GT The GT for the 1997 model year was much like the 1996 model, but offered upgraded seats that were offered in both cloth and leather. The biggest difference between the GT seats and those in the base model is that they had better stitching, or more reinforced stitching so that they would last longer and perhaps provide more comfort to passengers. A 4.6-liter engine that had a torque that peaked at an impressive 4,000 rotations per minute again powered the GT and was coupled with a T-45 manual transmission or an AOD-E automatic transmission. The GT sported a dual exhaust system that was polished from the axle back to give a very clean look. Both exhaust pipes had 2.25-inch tips that gave the car a very sporty look and made it identifiable from the rear as the base model had just one exhaust pipe. The rear fascia was the same 8.8 rear Ford fascia that had been used on the Mustang for several years, but still did the job quite well on this model. The rear axle offered 2.73 gears, though upgrades were offered with 3.08 as well as an option for 3.27. The emergency brake issue that had been experienced in 1996 as well as the head gasket issues were repaired and avoided for this model year, to the delight of Ford and consumers.

1996 Ford Mustang Cobra 1997 Mustang Cobra Because the Cobra saw major changes in 1996, no changes were made for the 1997 model year, and the car was still considered at the top of its performance game. The new aggressive styling was a big hit in 1996 and was kept for the 1997 model year. The Cobra was becoming more and more mainstream and the use of Cobra on the rear end of the vehicle and other unique items on the Cobra proved a useful marketing tool for the vehicle. The Cobra was still considered the highest performing Mustang, and for good reason. Providing a massive 305 horsepower, there wasn't an un-modified Mustang on the market that would come close to this muscle car. Only offered in a T-45 manual transmission, the car appealed to many race and muscle car lovers as well as your average Joe that wanted a car that offered space, comfort, and performance. For the first time in a long time people were really excited to see what a Mustang could do on the track, and the Cobra surprised many when it performed well on both the track and on the road. The 13-inch front and 11-inch back brakes that were upgraded in the 1996 model proved to be a grand upgrade for most drivers. Now, not only could the Cobra really take off, it could also stop on a dime. The distinct rims that were polished silver and gray were quite popular and looked great when the car was moving as well as when it was parked. Little features like the raised hood, the specialized rims, and the Cobra side plates, really distinguished the Cobra for the 1997 model year, though very few changes were made.

Power and Performance

Exterior

The Mustang measures just 15 feet long and has a wheelbase that measures just over 100 inches, which is relatively small. With the great front and rear bumpers and sheet metal work on the sides the Mustang doesn't look short or overly small. The new raised hood that was created to clear a new intake makes the car look much more aggressive, and fog lights on the Cobra and the GT gives the Mustang a more upscale look. The Cobra offers several different upgrade packages that can change the look of the tires and rims. Certain GT models will have the 4.6 GT badge on them, while the base model does not. The Cobra also sports snake badges to symbolize the Cobra, and says Cobra on the back bumper. The base model reads simply "Mustang", while the GT model says "Mustang GT" on the rear bumper. The 1997 Mustang also features an optional rear spoiler that looks good, but would cost consumers $200 more, so most didn't go for the option.

1997 Mustang Interior

The interior of the 1997 Mustang is based on the 1964 Mustang and features two round coves that are basically built into the instrument panel and the surfaces between them. This look is sporty but not too radical that it puts controls out of reach. Analog instruments will be somewhat easy to reach for the driver, while the passenger will see an airbag and glove compartment in front of them. While none of the analog controls are out of reach, the area is very narrow and shifting and certain controls can be odd or a bit uncomfortable to manipulate.

Upgraded cloth and leather options make the interior of the 1997 Mustang quite comfortable, though a bit cozy. There is plenty of room for those that are tall, but the driver's seats can also accommodate those that are of a shorter stature as well. The base model does not have seats that are as padded as the GT and the Cobra, so they are not as comfortable for long distances. The backseat of the Mustang is quite small and is practical for groceries, your briefcase, or a parcel or two, but generally not for full sized adults.

The 1997 Mustang sports a passive antitheft system, as well as an alarm, and even keyless entry. While these things are not technically a part of the interior of the car, they make accessing your interior easier as well as keep your valuables safe.

Pricing

Pricing for the 1997 model year was slightly higher than it had been for the 1996 model year, despite few changes. The prices ranged from a mere $15,355 to $28,135, with the lower end obviously being a bare bones base model and the higher end being a fully loaded Cobra. With this price range the Mustang was an affordably priced car for people in every income bracket, which is part of the Mustang appeal, no doubt. Power, performance, affordability, and reliability all come together to make the 1997 Ford Mustang worth every cent it was sold for!

Unique to the model year

A very limited number of Mustangs were sold during the 1997 model year in the Aztec Gold color. The exact number of cars that would bare this color is unknown, but very few are around. It is common for mustang fanatics to believe that the gold color was a custom color, but the truth is that it was an OEM Ford color that was only offered on the 1997 Mustang, so it was rarely seen. Because the number was limited, Aztec Gold is rarely seen these days and is no longer in use by Ford.

Final Thought

Though this was a year without much visible change, the 1997 Ford Mustang was still an awesome car and continued to be wildly popular. Without the mechanical problems of the year before, the 1997 helped to revive the faith in the Mustang that many people had questioned in 1996 when parts were recalled and replaced.