Jeff Cimarrusti's 2009 Mach 1 Tribute
Member #0150
Illinois
Illinois
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2018 Mustang of the Year winner!
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Jeff purchased this Grabber Orange 2009 GT Premuim from Lonestar Ford in Houston, Texas. The Mach 1 Tribute package is not a Ford Factory option package like the 4th gen Mustangs of 2003 and 2004, it is a dealer installed option package consisting of FoMoCo and aftermarket parts to bring the iconic Mach 1 back into the modern era.
The Lonestar Ford Mach 1 Tribute package added $7995 to the factory sticker price back in 2008 and 2009, but all mechanical and appearance modifications were covered by the factory warranty. |
Since Ford didn't produce a factory Mach 1 package in 2009, the image of what a modern Mach 1 Mustang looks like and should be is left open to interpretation by the dealer and purchaser's check book.
Other variants are shown below.
Other variants are shown below.
This concept version shown with C pillar modifications
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This 2007 Tribute version was packaged and sold by Downs Ford in New Jersey
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Here is the original Mach 1 that has inspired the tribute versions
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Jeff says originally he started shopping for a 1969 Mach 1 Mustang to replace the '72 Mustang he had back in high school. While shopping online he came across the 2009 Mach 1 tribute Mustang from a dealer in Texas and liked what he saw, but still kept searching for a 69.
Later on while watching TV, a Ford ad taunted 0% for 60 months on all models including Mustang making the idea of a modern future classic more appealing. Muscle car era Mach 1 prices were still in the $40-60k range back in 2009. With pedigree and vehicle history being logical concerns of classic car ownership, the appeal of a factory warranty and 0% terms began to shine. Shortly after, He purchased this Mach 1 Tribute from Lonestar Ford. |
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Jeff contacted the Houston Ford dealer and purchased a Grabber Orange Deluxe GT. A dealer clerical error created a serious problem though, the dealer had sold his Deluxe GT to another customer the same day! Lonestar Ford was able dig up a Grabber Orange Premium model to replace it with fortunately though.
A few days later he hopped a plane to Houston where he was finally able to drive the car he purchased sight unseen. On May 5th 2009 after taking delivery, he drove the 1100 miles back home to Illinois. It doesn't appear that he has taken many road trips since then either. After 8 years of ownership, the car only has 22,300 miles on the odometer. Much like the Chicago Bears, this Mustang doesn't play at all in the rain or snow. |
The image of the shaker style hood oozes Mustang nostalgia. Classic Design Concepts (CDC) is responsible for this modern rendition of the Shaker Hood Scoop which captures incoming air from the outside of the car like the original. These were sold for a short time by aftermarket vendors like American Muscle and Stage3 Motorsports but are quickly becoming harder and more expensive to find.
CDC has also been responsible for developing and manufacturing parts for Ford in the past. It is widely speculated that Ford planned to reintroduce a factory Mach 1 version but the recession put a damper on the development for S197 chassis. According to some people, the Ford logo was replaced with the elongated checkered flag icon after the Mach 1 lettering (font also changed) shown in the second picture below.
CDC has also been responsible for developing and manufacturing parts for Ford in the past. It is widely speculated that Ford planned to reintroduce a factory Mach 1 version but the recession put a damper on the development for S197 chassis. According to some people, the Ford logo was replaced with the elongated checkered flag icon after the Mach 1 lettering (font also changed) shown in the second picture below.
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The Lonestar Mach 1 Tribute package:
CDC Shaker hood Front chin spoiler Honeycomb deck lid panel Color matched side scoops Mach 1 side stripes Mach 1 deck lid and dash badging Flush mounted window louvers Ford Racing lowering springs Flow master American Thunder axle backs 20" staggered Torq Thrust wheels Push button ignition Hurst short throw shifter Black gloss painted hood and rear wing |
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Jeff later added the Mach 1 stitched headrests, steering wheel badge, and Grabber Orange piping to finish the interior of the car out.
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Jeff says the only future mods planned for the car will be rear window louvers and a GT500 rear bumper skin.
