What Do Rambo, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Bruce Jenner Have In Common?

"pauljones" (pauljones) 06/01/2015 at 14:56 • Filed to: None

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They all influenced Mustang design. It’s well known that the fourth-generation Mustang was developed into a FWD sport compact and was ready for release, only to be renamed as something else entirely after Ford took the biggest brow beating of its life from enthusiasts.

After finding themselves back to the drawing board with a swift kick in the ass, the Mustang team hurriedly went to work, scrambling to come up with a more worthy replacement Mustang. As the engineering department re-worked the ever living hell out of the old Fox platform, the design department had struggles of its own, trying to figure out what this new Mustang should look like, while working within the the confines of the existing platform. Some didn’t want to depart too far from the looks of the now-Ford-Probe, and preferred something stylistically modern, suave, and European. Others wanted to wash away the stench of such things, and come up with something aggressive and muscular.

In the end, three designs came through: The “Rambo” design, a low and aggressive design; the “Schwarzenegger” design, not quite as muscular as the “Rambo,” but more toned and taut than the Ford Probe. The third design was the least aggressive of the three, and focused on a lean, sleek look with less visual mass. This third design, slightly more reminiscent of the Ford Probe, was itself given a nickname: the “Bruce Jenner” concept. Utlimately, the Jenner concept was discarded as being too soft, and the Rambo concept was rejected for being too aggressive. The Schwarzenegger concept provided the middle ground, falling somewhere in between the aggressive muscle and the leaner, sleek look. As a result, it would be the chosen design for the SN-95 Mustang.

Picture below is the Jenner concept

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > pauljones 06/01/2015 at 15:00

10

Sexy Taurus

LongbowMkII > pauljones 06/01/2015 at 15:01

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Not bad. Looks close to the SN95, especially the front clip.

unclevanos (Ovaltine Jenkins) > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s 06/01/2015 at 15:11

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This and the ‘15 remind me too much of a taurus coupe.

Justin Hughes > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s 06/01/2015 at 15:13

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My first thought was “oh look, a two door Taurus.” I’m glad they didn’t go with that - nothing against Bruce Caitlyn.

HideyoshiJP > pauljones 06/01/2015 at 15:15

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These look like 1997-2002 Escort mirrors. In fact, this rear section screams ZX2-like version of the SN-95.

61hp > pauljones 06/01/2015 at 15:27

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Thanks for the throwback, I remember reading about these when the SN95 was release.

Here is all three designs for comparison. Pretty crazy how close the Schwarzenegger is to the production car.

Hahayoustupidludditeshutupandgohandcrankyourmodeltalready > 61hp 06/01/2015 at 15:42

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The Rambo should have been chosen.

Bytemite > 61hp 06/01/2015 at 15:48

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The facelift turned it more into Rambo though. And the postface lift definitely looks better.

Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > 61hp 06/01/2015 at 16:58

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The jenner looks like a 2 door contour

William Byrd > pauljones 06/01/2015 at 17:13

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Oh! I knew this one.

And now Bruce Jenner is a woman.

Textured Soy Protein > pauljones 06/01/2015 at 17:28

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In real life, Ahnuld would destroy Rambo.

Kruezerman > pauljones 06/01/2015 at 17:54

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God, 90s cars were hideous. Everything looks so melted.

Scott Nixon > pauljones 06/01/2015 at 17:56

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As the owner of a SN95, I am now proud I own a Schwarzenegger Mustang. In fact, I just renamed mine T-800.

ghost650 > Hahayoustupidludditeshutupandgohandcrankyourmodeltalready 06/01/2015 at 17:59

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Weird concave fascia is weird, though.

hewantsashelbysobad > pauljones 06/01/2015 at 18:00

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“This third design, slightly more reminiscent of the Ford Probe, was itself given a nickname: the “Bruce Jenner” concept. Utlimately, the Jenner concept was discarded as being too soft ...”

Holly SHhhhh .... somebody knew Jenner’s future way back then!!!???

ThatbastardKurtis > 61hp 06/01/2015 at 18:01

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What’s funny is in a sense the ignorance of the designers—-Arnold is the bodybuilder, 7 times Mr. Olympia, and Sly is the guy who wears lifts and was not as muscular.

And even Arnold’s movies were more “pumped up”. Terminator? Commando? Predator? Granted Rambo was the shit as well.

That being said, the Arnold design with the Rambo lights and front spoiler would have been the best.

I have always liked the SN95 design better than the New Edge.

Bloody Han Solo > pauljones 06/01/2015 at 18:03

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Any rear pics? Of the car that is....

61hp > Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero 06/01/2015 at 18:03

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I never really noticed how much the front looks like a Taurus/Contour with a greenhouse and should line that resembles the ZX2

Sneaky Pete > Kruezerman 06/01/2015 at 18:05

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Not all 90s cars were melty.

Frenchlicker > pauljones 06/01/2015 at 18:06

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Is it bad to say that I want the Bruce Jenner concept? It looks fun.

Oops I crapped my pants > pauljones 06/01/2015 at 18:08

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Looking back...it looks like a two door 2000 D186 Taurtus.

revrseat70 > pauljones 06/01/2015 at 18:10

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Interesting that the Schwarzenegger Mustang would eventually be deemed the Terminator once a facelift and boost were applied.

bbutle01 > Justin Hughes 06/01/2015 at 18:11

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I think ford must have been prophesying.

pintowgn73 > Scott Nixon 06/01/2015 at 18:11

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Makes sense now that the 03-04 Cobras are referred to as the Terminator Cobras.

Nitzer Ebblestone > pauljones 06/01/2015 at 18:13

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Damn. I thought they’d all come out as trans! Disappointed.

It's Caitlyn now

Future next gen S2000 owner > pauljones 06/01/2015 at 18:14

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This is the wheel gap it should have had from the factory.

scudinferno121212 > pauljones 06/01/2015 at 18:16

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great now all of the 94 mustangs are gonna shoot up ;-)

T5Killer > pauljones 06/01/2015 at 18:23

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As a 17 year SN95 owner I approve this post.

black_peter > pauljones 06/01/2015 at 18:26

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Should have gone with the Rambo... The SN95 is my least favorite design..

Jimmy Joe Meeker > Future next gen S2000 owner 06/01/2015 at 18:27

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For styling yes. That’s about where my car sits now. With Illinois roads I know why they didn’t do it.

StuntmanDan > Scott Nixon 06/01/2015 at 18:28

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Why not the T-Fteenthousand?

the7thearlofgrey > pauljones 06/01/2015 at 18:29

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yaahhh, and their all girlie men

Plecostomus is a starred commenter > 61hp 06/01/2015 at 18:31

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The Rambo concept appears to be the source of the styling of the 99-04 cars and also explains that really awful cervinis body kit.

ranwhenparked > pauljones 06/01/2015 at 18:33

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They made the right call. While this is a tidy looking car, it would have struggled to define it’s own identity between the Probe and Thunderbird. Just too much contemporary Ford design language, not unique enough for a Mustang.

J-BodyBuilder - Never stick to sports > Justin Hughes 06/01/2015 at 18:34

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Since that’s breaking news, many won’t get it, but outstanding reply!

Jalop - Jim Is An Herb - shit > pauljones 06/01/2015 at 18:34

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I remember this, and I also remember the 1st Gen Probe I drove for a couple years.

Not a terrible car, but it would’ve surely killed the Mustang.

Also, if they went with the Bruce Jenner for the Mustang, would Ford currently be scrambling to re-brand it “the Filly?” I’m kind of an old guy and I’m not sure how this works...

Howie > unclevanos (Ovaltine Jenkins) 06/01/2015 at 18:35

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That corporate look but it works, I picked up a ‘15 GT and my Boss (a Jag guy) loved it as well as several coworkers who flat-out consider the previous car the province of inbred slack-jawed knuckle dragging hillbillies when they are feeling particularly charitable.

AdjustableWrench > 61hp 06/01/2015 at 18:35

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The Jenner is a production version too, it’s called the second gen Taurus. Jeez, look how horrible they all are.

Ice-nine > pauljones 06/01/2015 at 18:35

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They all like to cross dress. Did I win?

heeltoehero > Sneaky Pete 06/01/2015 at 18:37

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The viper is pretty melted. It’s cool, don’t get me wrong, but it’s pretty much all curves.

parkrndl is enjoying his midlife crisis > pauljones 06/01/2015 at 18:45

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Y’know, it’s funny... I remember reading about this at the time, but all these years later I had Sly and Ahnold reversed in my head... I thought the lean version was Jenner, the over-the-top muscular one was Schwarzenegger, and the middle ground was Stallone.

foop > Scott Nixon 06/01/2015 at 18:52

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How’s that god awful interior working out for you?

thedangler > 61hp 06/01/2015 at 18:53

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Looks like the Jenner then became the Taurus.

GreenN_Gold > pauljones 06/01/2015 at 18:55

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Despite picking the Arnold model over the Bruce, the Mustang would still go on to have trannie issues.

945T > pintowgn73 06/01/2015 at 18:55

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And the mustang was sold in Germany in the ‘60s as the T6

evilfacelessturtle (Hooning a Ford is Domestic Abuse) > Sneaky Pete 06/01/2015 at 18:58

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You forgot the FD RX7 and C5 Vette. And technically, those two and the Viper kind of are “melty”. IDK why that has to be a bad thing.

SquirrelyWrath > pauljones 06/01/2015 at 19:00

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The probe could have made it’s own niche had it been 2 seater only, and RWD or AWD. And, you know, not carried a name that sounds like a anal violation joke.

micklich£michael > pauljones 06/01/2015 at 19:07

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Jenner concept, hmmm must retain inner monolog......

Gobes > pauljones 06/01/2015 at 19:08

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Hey! He/she is now known as Caitlyn Jenner.

Entropy Is So Degrading > pauljones 06/01/2015 at 19:09

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Yuck. To me, this generation is almost as ugly as the Mustang II.

BOB JACOBSON > foop 06/01/2015 at 19:15

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Meh i own a 97 cobra. For a 90s car it has held up pretty well.

Shes up for sale though after 13 years of ownership, Ive decided to join this decade of car design.

Sheriff Of American Douchetown > pauljones 06/01/2015 at 19:15

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The third design aka cant figure out if i like being a boy or want to be a girl.

Scott Nixon > foop 06/01/2015 at 19:19

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Just fine, it has seats, 3 pedals, a steering wheel and a shifter. I’m good.

MTY19855 > pauljones 06/01/2015 at 19:22

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The Jenner looks like a fourth gen Taurus from the front.

Daveinva > pauljones 06/01/2015 at 19:24

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.

Bro Bruh > 61hp 06/01/2015 at 19:26

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I bet the Jenner design was the only convertible of the 3!

Sneaky Pete > evilfacelessturtle (Hooning a Ford is Domestic Abuse) 06/01/2015 at 19:29

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I’ll give you the FD, but I most definitely didn’t forget the C5 Vette.

John Williams > pauljones 06/01/2015 at 19:48

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So this predicted the Bruce/Caitlyn transformation...

Nobi > StuntmanDan 06/01/2015 at 19:50

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Maybe he hasn't grown that extra ball yet.

Arturo > heeltoehero 06/01/2015 at 19:51

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Sexy curves.

Captain_Spadaro > GreenN_Gold 06/01/2015 at 19:51

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ayy lmao

foop > BOB JACOBSON 06/01/2015 at 19:58

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I had a buddy that had a 95 cobra convertible pace car edition that he got for a steal because the dealership didn’t know what they had when it came in used. It was fast as hell and a lot of fun but, goddamn, I hated that interior. I hated it even more when they kept it for the New Edge Mustang. I even wound up with a 2002 New Edge when some old man totaled my ‘95 3000GT.

I’d had an ‘88 acura legend and a ‘95 3000GT with the leather charcoal interior and after spending years in a well designed, simple japanese driver’s seat, then more in a driver’s seat that was more like the cockpit of a jet, the overwrought interior with mediocre build quality and a lot of rattles just wasn’t as satisfying.

Capt. Janeway's Imaginary Cat > evilfacelessturtle (Hooning a Ford is Domestic Abuse) 06/01/2015 at 19:59

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Melty to some perhaps but I would say tightly sculpted.

foop > Scott Nixon 06/01/2015 at 19:59

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Oh, so edgy! Look everyone, he’s eschewing comfort, design, and build quality! Be careful around this one!

F1guy1 > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s 06/01/2015 at 20:05

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Really, the Jenner concept isn't a bad design. It's very clean. I actually like it. Though it's not as muscular as the Schwarzenegger concept, it's not bad at all.

F1guy1 > parkrndl is enjoying his midlife crisis 06/01/2015 at 20:08

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Kinda how it should’ve been. Though something could be said for the time the design originated: by the early 1990’s, Schwarzenegger wasn’t the Mr. Olympia/Conan, but more of a “ridiculously buff, but clean-looking movie star” so it fits.

sammyjay > 61hp 06/01/2015 at 20:09

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The late model Pontiac Bonneville looks a lot like the “Rambo” concept.

Frankenbike666 > pauljones 06/01/2015 at 20:13

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I want to know who played the part of Goldilocks.

imgonnamakeyouloveme > 61hp 06/01/2015 at 20:44

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Maybe it’s just the angle of the picture, but the passenger compartment and back of the Rambo look like a Pinto to me.

Scrape > pauljones 06/01/2015 at 20:47

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So, do we now have to call the Jenner Mustang a Gelding?

evilfacelessturtle (Hooning a Ford is Domestic Abuse) > Capt. Janeway's Imaginary Cat 06/01/2015 at 20:59

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I would say aerodynamic and smooth. Why don’t people shit all over ‘40s cars for being “melty”? I think most people know nothing at all about design and therefore pick the most noticeable characteristic of a design and exaggerate to hate on it. Why don’t they say modern cars look like they were hacked away at with a machete? Because they like overwrought crap and can’t appreciate restraint or subtlety. The ‘90s was the decade of restrained, more well-thought-out and earnest design, and that’s what I love about it.

Clino > imgonnamakeyouloveme 06/01/2015 at 21:04

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I was thinking Mustang II, but yeah, same idea. It was a very unappealing roofline. I’m surprised they almost used it twice!

Rock- Brocaine > pauljones 06/01/2015 at 21:14

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I think they all wore dresses?

AMC/Renauledge > pauljones 06/01/2015 at 21:16

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Good lord, people! CONTEXT!

Cars looked “bubbly” or “melted” in the 90s because designers started remembering they were allowed to put curves on them after 15+ years of “boxy is better” designs.

Also, the Jenner would have looked light years more aggressive than the Fox body LX back then. Which was literally just a tarted up Fairmont. And those of you who say the Jenner looks like a Taurus coupe really need to get your eyes checked.

I thought the direction they chose was ultimately the right one. But the Jenner was not a bad alternative given how dull and hoary the Fox Mustang was after 15 model years.

I was born in 1983. Am I the only person here who remembers the ‘90s?

jgw > Plecostomus is a starred commenter 06/01/2015 at 21:21

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The 99-04 Mustangs are also known as SN-95(2), showing that they’re an iteration of the SN-95 (ie: the Schwarzenegger) as opposed to a new design (as would be the case borrowing from a different concept). The update was supposed to make the Mustang design fit into the ‘New Edge’ design theme at Ford, which focused on creating a cohesive set of vehicles with a familiar and recognizable pattern, in both the US and Europe, to improve brand strength and recognition. The sharp lines and features, which you recognize as coming from the ‘Rambo’, actually came from the GT90 and the Ford Ka (the first concept and production car, respectively, to feature the theme).

The current design theme at Ford is “Kinetic Design”, first featured on the ‘08 model year Fiesta and Focus.

FiveLiters1 > pauljones 06/01/2015 at 21:27

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Stock GT,Cobra wheels.

FiveLiters1 > pauljones 06/01/2015 at 21:28

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Lincoln LSC

FiveLiters1 > GreenN_Gold 06/01/2015 at 21:29

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I see what you did there.

CARBOMB > 61hp 06/01/2015 at 21:30

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Upon sight of these atrocities not a jimmy was rustled.

FiveLiters1 > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s 06/01/2015 at 21:32

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Which is funny,cause I always thought of the Jaguar XK8 coupes as a stone’s throw from a Taurus coupe! (I do like them more now,but the greenhouse on those,and the rear/taillights...)

spookiness > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s 06/01/2015 at 21:36

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I’m sure I’m not the only person who sees a lot of Escort ZX-2.

pauljones > AMC/Renauledge 06/01/2015 at 21:46

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No, you certainly aren’t. I remember them, too. Welcome to the old age club, take the third seat on the right next to the bingo table. And while you're at it, note that at no point in time in the original article was there ever any criticism of the design.

SteveFB91 > pauljones 06/01/2015 at 21:47

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I kind of like all of those but I’m glad that they chose the Ahnold. I’ve always been a fan of this design; I don’t get why people don’t like it.

SteveFB91 > 61hp 06/01/2015 at 21:51

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the Rambo looks familiar——-Pontiac Bonneville

RustedSprinter > 61hp 06/01/2015 at 21:53

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Well if the Jenner Mustang was put into production all of them would go body shops because they identify as Camaros.

RalphieDC > GreenN_Gold 06/01/2015 at 21:54

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You mean over the Kaitlyn?

SteveFB91 > HideyoshiJP 06/01/2015 at 21:55

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my thought too

SteveFB91 > pauljones 06/01/2015 at 21:55

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I love 90s cars

Michael Zaite > ranwhenparked 06/01/2015 at 22:12

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Agreed, this is as bland as the MN-12 restyles. The mustang has to always look a bit out of step with the Commuter Fords. The Jenner was clearly just there to be the conservative “you don’t really want this” option. Sometimes you have to trick executives to get them to make the right decisions.

Michael Zaite > Jimmy Joe Meeker 06/01/2015 at 22:13

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Also stupid expensive ass tires. A little sidewall never killed anyone.

Grim99CV > pauljones 06/01/2015 at 22:23

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310 Area code, that’s my neck of the woods (Hawthorne, CA).

fhrblig > pauljones 06/01/2015 at 22:24

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The Bruce Jenner one looked way too much like the last Thunderbird. It was too understated.

Capt. Janeway's Imaginary Cat > evilfacelessturtle (Hooning a Ford is Domestic Abuse) 06/01/2015 at 22:29

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I see your points completely but I think every decade had great designs. It’s just that design trends of the times beat it to death. I think those looking back at our current flame surfacing/machete designs will find more than a few that stand the test of time. Right off the bat, I would say Ferrari F12, 458, BMW 6-series, the new Audi TT, and Lamborghini Hurracan. :)

DirtyVDub > AMC/Renauledge 06/01/2015 at 22:34

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Are you serious?

Capt. Janeway's Imaginary Cat > evilfacelessturtle (Hooning a Ford is Domestic Abuse) 06/01/2015 at 22:36

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Also, there is a reason why the 2nd generation Nissan 300ZX was so revolutionary and timeless when it was introduced in 1990 (I think). It had soft/melty design but the proportions were absolutely perfect. The Supra I can see as being melty but its performance more than makes up for it. The RX-7 was pure form. The 300ZX was the perfect definition of the 90’s along with the NSX.

Foo2rama > AMC/Renauledge 06/01/2015 at 22:41

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No the Jenner does look like a Taurus of that generation in coupe form.

Carwood > 61hp 06/01/2015 at 23:03

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I’ve got a book somewhere back at my parents house of mustang history up till the 00’s. These concepts were my favorite part.

boxrocket > pauljones 06/01/2015 at 23:32

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The J concept seems to share some similarities with the Mach III concept more than the production "Schwarzenegger".

boxrocket > Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero 06/01/2015 at 23:34

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I see a fair amount of Escort ZX2 actually

Machingadera > AMC/Renauledge 06/02/2015 at 00:15

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Boxy is better, sincerely

Volvo enthusiast