I finally figured out where the "S197 Underbite" comes from!!

"K-Roll-PorscheTamer" (k-roll390) 03/03/2016 at 17:33 • Filed to: Mustang

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It only took me too long to figure out why the lower bumper on S197 Mustangs hangs out so much further than the hood and upper front end. For the longest time, it has bothered me, until I put these two side-by-side.

If my elaborate comparison is correct, it’s reminiscent of the chrome bumpers on earlier Mustangs. Even then, it doesn’t stick out that much further on the ‘69 above compared to the ‘12.

Then it looks even stranger on the ‘13-14 cars...

What do you all think?

yamahog > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 03/03/2016 at 17:34

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Also bumper regulations.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > yamahog 03/03/2016 at 17:35

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‘Splain please.

Blondude > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 03/03/2016 at 17:37

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If you hit something, the bumper has to hit first, otherwise it kinda defeats the purpose of having a bumper.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 03/03/2016 at 17:38

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when you hit something you want the bumper to be the first thing that receives impact then the grill/hood/fenders and so forth. If not let say you hit a post or something at 5ish mph it would damage the whole front end and not just the bumper.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 03/03/2016 at 17:39

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Like Yamahog implies, there largely for roll-pedestrian-over-the-car and 5mph reasons, but also if you see a bunch of old racing mustangs, they often have a reworked valance for better radiator flow and it tends to stick out.

Steve in Manhattan > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 03/03/2016 at 17:43

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5 MPH bumpers - designed to sustain no damage in low speed ‘crashes.’

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > Steve in Manhattan 03/03/2016 at 17:54

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And tragically, ironically, usually undergo many thousands of dollars of damage if hit at 10mph.

DrJohannVegas > yamahog 03/03/2016 at 17:55

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YOU SAID THE SECRET WORD!

Takuro Spirit > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 03/03/2016 at 17:56

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I had a 1:18 diecast of a Boss302 once and I knocked off the front bumper and holy HURR DURR it looks special without it.

Steve in Manhattan > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 03/03/2016 at 18:12

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I suppose the 10MPH bumper would have been unsightly - I have never minded the 5MPH versions. A Euro- W123 with standard bumpers looks odd to me.

they-will-know-my-velocity > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 03/03/2016 at 22:46

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Yeah, as far as I know it was no big secret that the S197 was a homage and a retro throwback to the 68-70 Mustangs. They re-used many designs to make a mashup remix of that styling.

wiffleballtony > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 03/03/2016 at 23:10

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Looks right. That’s why I installed a chin spoiler to help aleviate the under bite.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > wiffleballtony 03/03/2016 at 23:11

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I can’t imagine how it alleviates it?

wiffleballtony > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 03/03/2016 at 23:18

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Here is a crappy picture I just took in the garage. IMHO it helps keep the chin and bumper closer to the same point.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > wiffleballtony 03/03/2016 at 23:37

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That works. Hey, since I once again remembered you’re one of few S197 owners here, and I presume you’ve driven a newer IRS car, how do you like the live axle? Drive over bumpy and imperfect roads often? Does it feel a bit hairy on the ragged edge? Tell me things.

wiffleballtony > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 03/04/2016 at 12:26

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Over rough roads you will notice that the ride is bumpier than it would normally be in an IRS car. Sometimes you do feel the axle hop if it’s especially bumpy and you’re in a hard fast corner. This can be mitigated with stiffer control arms and such. With that said I haven’t once actually lost grip on the back due to roughness of the road. It feels more unstable than it actually is, your confidence will give out before the grip does in that situation.

With that said, it is easy to slide the tail out with throttle application. Also on smooth or pretty smooth roads I don’t really notice a difference in grip. Also I presume you’re in Michigan with bumpier roads than we have here in the desert.