Pete Brock's column in the current issue of CM

Car design is pretty subjective, so I don’t agree with Pete Brock’s condescending rant against Ford and the Mustang in the latest issue of CM. Sure, he has a 50-some year old diploma in car design from the Art Center, but c'mon, the current Mustang isn't as bad as he makes it seem. And as far as technology goes, the new V6 will put out over 300 HP and deliver 30+ mpg. That’s not bad for a car that will sell for under $25K. Pete, please don’t lecture us on the academic aspects of car design and cutting edge technology. The bean counters at Ford would have whacked the model years ago if nobody bought them.

I haven't seen the new Boss 302, much less seen one side-by-side with the original, so I'm not in a position to agree or disagree. Frankly, I think Ford did a reasonably good job of retro-styling the current Mustang models -- I'm not knocked out by them, but I was never knocked out by the '69 Mustangs they seem to be modeled after either. OTOH, I think the new Camaro is just plain hideous (and doesn't resemble any old Camaro to boot), and the Charger looks really tall and narrow, which the original certainly did not. As you say, this is pretty subjective stuff.

But the point of the article wasn't to beat up on the Mustang specifically -- I do very much agree that, for all their technological wonders -- the current crop of American cars are entirely unexciting, and that's a shame.

Well for a few more weeks or so we still have the Dodge Viper which is definitely exciting.

I spoke to Craig Jackson of Barrett Jackson a little while back and he thinks it is one of the best American cars ever and I truly agree.

It is a true supercar in all its forms and generations and is very exciting. Too bad it is leaving.

I too love the Mustang ever since the 2004 redesign and have driven the car in all forms since then. I think the new V6 car is landmark in the performance per dollar it delivers. It is proof positive to me that America can still build great cars. So you don't like retro styling, then buy something else but no car to me is bad simply because I do not personally care for the way it is styled. Too much personal preference is involved in that to me.

In reply to Andy Reid:

The Viper is only going away temporarily:

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/15/exclusive-marchionne-shows-of-2012-dodge-viper-at-dealer-meetin/

I think designers look at a car differently than us that simply buy them, so I'm sure that plays a part in his views. Personally I like the new Mustangs. Not so much their styling, but the fact that they've improved so much dynamically and are still somewhat affordable. I personally liked the styling of the mid '90's Mustangs much better.

As for the Viper; awesome car. I've never owned one, but spent a few days hammering them around race tracks. They really do drive like a BIG FAST Miata. Well everything except the shifter and the heat from the V10. I loved it though and hope to one day put a coupe in the garage.

While I greatly respect Pete, I think he was a bit harsh on Ford and Domestic design in general. After all, the Corvette is hardly the only distinctive and attractive design being produced by local boys. The Cadillac CTS wagon has been described as one of the most beautiful wagons ever penned, the rest of the CTS line is also significant, the Camaro(exterior at least) has been favorable reviewed, the SKY/Solstice twins were near concept cars, The Viper, The Mopar 300, the Fiesta, the various Mustang variants, etc.

Plus, I hate to mention this to Pete, but his recent BRE rendition of the Nissan Z appears just as bloated as the Mustang when compared to the svelte original Z car.

The best part about the Mustang is that it fills two roles.

You all note that the Vette and the Viper is good advertising for GM and Chrysler to bring people into showrooms. The Mustang does exactly the same thing, especially all of the "rare" variants.

It also sells REALLY well. (I'm sure it outsells the Vette, Viper, and 370 combined). It's major problem right now is that the current plant does not make enough of them (or the 6) total....

I wonder how much it makes the pundents mad that the car is as popular as it is, makes good money, and draws people into the Ford showrooms?