Sporty, eye-catching, and powerful! This is how people often described (and still do) the different generations of the Ford Mustang Mach 1 throughout the years and the fourth generation of the Mach 1 is not an exception. Produced in 2003 and 2004, the fourth generation of Mach 1 mustangs became one of the most iconic performance editions of Mustangs Ford has ever made.
While muscle car fans often know about the first 69-70 generation and the latest 2021 generation of Mach 1, the in-between models and generations often get overlooked. Even though the 2003-2004 models were just as legendary, cool-looking, and powerful as their ancestor and successor.
Before we talk about what we believe makes the 2004 Ford Mustang Mach 1 special and worth remembering, let’s take a look at where it all began with the first generation of Mustang Mach 1 in the late 1960s.
Origin of the Mach 1
The name Mach 1 first appeared in August 1968 as a 1969 performance option of the Ford Mustang. It continued for roughly a decade as three different generations up until 1978. After a 25-year period, the Mach 1 returned briefly in 2003 and 2004 as a fourth-generation and went away up until recently with the fifth 2021 model year.
With the arrival of the first generation of the Mach 1 in 1969, Ford was offering as many as six factory performance models to the buyers (GT, Boss 302, Boss 429, Shelby GT350, and GT500, as well as the Mach 1).
Mach 1’s success was so huge that it overshadowed the previously sought-after GT model in sales. Ford stopped manufacturing Mustang GT models in 1969 due to poor sales of just above 5,000 units. (This was while Mach 1 sold as much as roughly 72,500 units! Impressive, right?) Mustang would not have a “GT” badge again until 1982.
Offering different V8 engines as big as 7.0 L ones, the 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1 was gloriously competing against its competitors such as Chevrolet Camaro. The second and the third generation also had a lot to offer, but relatively speaking, none of them could reach the popularity of the first generation of the Mach 1 model.
Mach 1 proved itself to be an outlandish member of the Ford Mustang family right from the start.
2004 Ford Mustang Mach 1 Specs and Features
After a not-so-successful history of attempts in making special editions and performance options with badges like “Cobra” and “Mercury Cougar,” Ford finally decided to revive the Mach 1 after 25 years of its absence as a 2003 model year.
Unlike the previous un-special special edition badges, Mach 1 was here to impress and it was not fooling around. Unlike the previous Mach 1 editions that came with different engine specs, the 2004 Mach 1 only offered one line of engines; 32-valve, DOHC 4.6-liter V8s. it was the same beloved and powerful engine that powered the SVT Cobra but modified with a supercharger. Offering 305hp and 320 pound-feet torque, the 2004 Ford Mustang Mach 1 experience was, and still is, something to behold!
The standard version offered a five-speed manual transmission. A four-speed automatic was also available but, let’s be honest, you wouldn’t want a Mach 1 with automatic gears, would you?
The interior of the 2004 model year might not offer a glamorous look with sixties-style seats and too much bad-fitting plastic. BUT, the burble resonating in your chest from the dual pipes and the wiggling of that V8 engine when you blip the throttle makes it all up!
2004 Mach 1; the Forgotten Legend
The fourth generation of Mach 1, much like the first generation, was able to stand out and shine bright. Especially in 2003 and 2004 since no American V8 muscle cars like Chevy Camaros or Pontiac Firebirds were being produced, Ford Mustang was one of the only remaining cars of the golden era of American muscle that was still being manufactured.
Although the design language might not be fashionable in the eyes of today’s generation, with its retro hood scoop, the classic stripes, and the bold 5 spoke rims, we believe it is one of the most iconic Mustangs of all time. despite not performing that great regarding the number of sales in years of 2003 and 2004.
Throughout the years of the production of the Mustang, Mach 1 has often been a fan favorite edition. With significant popularity in its first generation, Mach 1 was able to prove itself right at the beginning to a worthy edition for Mustang lovers who are looking for a performance-oriented option. With a 25-year gap between the third and the fourth generation, ford gave another life to the Mach 1 edition in 2003 and discontinued it after 2004.
The fourth generation of the Mach 1 edition offered one of the most favorite performance-oriented V8 engines of its time which were impressive enough to allow us to overlook the mediocre interior it offered.
After more than a decade, Ford once again revived the Mach 1 in 2021. With new features but a nostalgic look and design language. You can find the article on the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 down below.