Mustang History 2003

Mustang History: 2003

2002 2004

Despite GM's axing of Mustang's strongest competition--Camaro and Firebird--in 2003, Ford beefed up its Mustang lineup for the year, supercharging the Cobra and reviving the Mach 1 moniker.

Dark Shadow Grey and Redfire were added to the color options, replacing Mineral Grey and Laser Tint Red. Azure Blue was available for the Mach 1 only.

The 2003 V-6 Mustang got the hood from 1999 and 2001 Cobras with a small rear-facing scoop.

The Pony Edition Mustang was added to the nationwide lineup in 2003, after being a Florida-only edition in 2001 and 2002. It was a V-6 with the raised GT hood scoop, Stampeding Pony door graphics, polished 16" wheels, and black bumper inserts.

An interior upgrade package was added for the 2003 GT, and included larger headrests and silver interior enhancements like the shifter ring, door lock soldiers, and instrument bezel. A Bright Wheel option was available, but this was nothing more than the chrome 1999 and 2001 Cobra wheel with Mustang centercaps.

Ford celebrated its 100th Anniversary in June of 2003, and made limited edition F-Series Super Duty trucks, Explorers, Tauruses, Focuses, and Mustang GTs to commemorate the event. The 100th Anniversary models only came in black, and included Premium Verona-grain Imola leather seating surfaces in two-tone parchment, and the Mustang got the GT premium package which included 17" wheels, anti-lock brakes and traction control; dual exhaust; power driver's seat with power lumbar support; leather-wrapped steering wheel; and Mach 460 AM/FM Stereo with six-disc CD changer, as well as 100th Anniversary badges on the fender and decklid and embossed on the seats. The Centennial Package was a $995 upgrade.

The Mach 1 returned in 2003 with a four-valve DOHC 305-hp V-8 engine sitting under a functional Shaker hood scoop. A flat black stripe ran from the scoop to the front of the hood, a black Mach 1 stripe ran the length of the side, the spoiler was painted black, it got rolled exhaust tips like the 2001 Bullitt, and Comfort Weave seats like the original Mach 1. A new version of the classic Magnum 500 wheel was the only option for the 2003 Mach 1. The Mach 1 was available in six colors: Oxford White, Zinc Yellow, Torch Red, Black, Azure Blue, and Dark Shadow Grey.

2003 Cobras began hitting showrooms in June of 2002 with a supercharged 4.6L DOHC V-8 pushing 390-hp. Two inverted hood scoops extracted heat from the engine, the front and rear bumpers were redesigned, and GT side scoops and a new spoiler were added. The '03 Cobras had 6-speed manual transmissions.

Ten years after SVT introduced its first product--the 1993 SVT Cobra R--they released a special 10th Anniversary 2003 SVT Cobra. The 10th Anniversary Package was available as either a coupe or convertible, and featured unique 17x9-inch dark argent painted anniversary wheels, red leather seating surfaces in the front and rear, interior trim with the appearance of carbon fiber, red painted brake calipers, and SVT 10th Anniversary badges on the floor mats and rear decklid. SVT produced 2,003 units of the Anniversary model, which were available in Torch Red, Black Clearcoat, and Silver Metallic.

Engines