Ford May-Be Considering A Retractable Hardtop For The 09 MS

87ASC · Post by **87ASC** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 6:21 am

Peter Muscat has been working with Classic Design Concepts for a Retractable Hardtop for the 2009 Mustang.

Heres What ModdedMustangs.com Had to Say:

Recent unveilings of the Camaro and Challenger have inspired Ford to think of new, innovative ways to keep the Mustang fresh. Ford calls this new way of thinking “Bold Moves”, we call it… well we haven’t really thought of another name for it - but it’s got every Mustang enthusiast excited to see what Ford’s going to do next.

How about a retractable hardtop for the 2009 Mustang? General Motors is already utilizing retractable powered hardtops in the Pontiac G6 and Cadillac XLR, and Mustangs Plus built a non-powered retractable hardtop for classic Mustangs - but nothing yet from Ford.

Ford is no newcomer to retractable hardtops, back in the 50’s they were developed for the ‘57-’59 Skyliners. In 1966 Ford had the same engineer, Ben J. Smith, build a prototype for the ‘67 Mustang. When Smith reported it wouldn’t be feasable to motorize the top, Ford cancelled the project.

After Smith retired, he decided to build a retractable Mustang for himself and, shortly thereafter, decided to market the kit. In 1994 he sold 10-15 retractable tops for ‘65-’68 Mustang convertibles. CDC also produced a prototype retractable hardtop on a 2006 Mustang, with videos posted on various message boards (falsly claimed to be a Ford concept). Here you can see the top up and top down from CDC’s prototype. The ‘06 from CDC had to be made into a 2 seater to fit the hardtop, though the trunk area remained untouched.

Now, to our knowledge, Ford hasn’t released any information hinting to a motorized retractable top for convertible Mustangs - but they have been toying with the idea. Ford’s first test for the retractable hardtop will be the European Focus CC, shown at the 2006 Geneva Auto Show. Ford has to either to move foward or fall behind, Bold Moves means new innovations. If all goes well, look for a motorized hardtop to be fitted on the redesigned 2009 Mustang convertible.

Heres What AutoBlog.com Had to Say:

Recent unveilings of the Camaro and Challenger have inspired Ford to think of new, innovative ways to keep the Mustang fresh. Ford calls this new way of thinking “Bold Moves”, we call it… well we haven’t really thought of another name for it - but it’s got every Mustang enthusiast excited to see what Ford’s going to do next.

How about a retractable hardtop for the 2009 Mustang? General Motors is already utilizing retractable powered hardtops in the Pontiac G6 and Cadillac XLR, and Mustangs Plus built a non-powered retractable hardtop for classic Mustangs - but nothing yet from Ford.

Ford is no newcomer to retractable hardtops, back in the 50’s they were developed for the ‘57-’59 Skyliners. In 1966 Ford had the same engineer, Ben J. Smith, build a prototype for the ‘67 Mustang. When Smith reported it wouldn’t be feasable to motorize the top, Ford cancelled the project.

After Smith retired, he decided to build a retractable Mustang for himself and, shortly thereafter, decided to market the kit. In 1994 he sold 10-15 retractable tops for ‘65-’68 Mustang convertibles. CDC also produced a prototype retractable hardtop on a 2006 Mustang, with videos posted on various message boards (falsly claimed to be a Ford concept). Here you can see the top up and top down from CDC’s prototype. The ‘06 from CDC had to be made into a 2 seater to fit the hardtop, though the trunk area remained untouched.

Now, to our knowledge, Ford hasn’t released any information hinting to a motorized retractable top for convertible Mustangs - but they have been toying with the idea. Ford’s first test for the retractable hardtop will be the European Focus CC, shown at the 2006 Geneva Auto Show. Ford has to either to move foward or fall behind, Bold Moves means new innovations. If all goes well, look for a motorized hardtop to be fitted on the redesigned 2009 Mustang convertible.

Be cool if Ford decides to put it in the 2009 Mustang

87ASC · Post by **87ASC** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 6:26 am

Heres The Videos:

Top Going Up

http://bradbarnett.net/mustangs/images/Vid_RoofUP.MOV

Top Going Down

http://bradbarnett.net/mustangs/images/Vid_RoofDown.MOV

Sandy · Post by **Sandy** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 12:20 pm

It looks nice, but truthfully, I'm a bit scared of mechanical failure with theose. Hoards of working servos, motors, electrical, etc stuff. Can you image being out of warrantee, and having a problem? It does look great with the top up.

The one that blew me away (try to see one "perform") is the just released Volvo C70 convertible. THIS you GOTTA see ! The top in made in 3 sections. All 3 sections power themseves straight up into the air, over the car. When all 3 are up, they are like 2 feet over the car's windshield header. They look suspended in mid air, something like this (roughly) ...

/-----\

Then the middle section sides to the back, as the back section slides to the middle, as the front section slides backward, as they neatly "stack" themselves in mids air, andthen as a "sandwich" in unision they slide backward & down, into the trunk, that is open "clamshell style" and "eats" the sandwich and powers closed. It's an absolutle show-stopper of a car.
Vovo did sooommmeeee job on it !! But, top down - you have absolutely NO trunk space. If there is ANYTHING at all in the trunk, sensors know it, and the top will not work ! You have the same amount of room as is in your center console compartment, for a pen, wallet and pack of butts. That's all. The car's a knock out, especially top up !

Click to page 2
http://www.volvocars.us/campaigns/feel/default.htm

87ASC · Post by **87ASC** » Fri Sep 01, 2006 12:21 am

Have you seen the 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder?

http://www.mitsubishimotors.com/eclipse ... index.html

rod442 · Post by **rod442** » Sat Sep 02, 2006 2:53 am

just what they need to do, add more weight to an already portly car, and more $$$

Sandy · Post by **Sandy** » Sat Sep 02, 2006 4:11 am

rod442 wrote:just what they need to do, add more weight to an already portly car, and more $$$

You are refering to the Mustang, the Volvo or the Mitsubishi ? (Or all 3 ?)

87ASC · Post by **87ASC** » Mon Sep 04, 2006 2:24 am

All 3

.

rod442 · Post by **rod442** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 10:53 pm

Sandy wrote:
rod442 wrote:just what they need to do, add more weight to an already portly car, and more $$$
You are refering to the Mustang, the Volvo or the Mitsubishi ? (Or all 3 ?)

Heh, I was referring to the mustang. If it gets the greenlight.

But yes, all 3 would also be appropriate, lol.