Four decades new; Ford reaches back for cues to define the next-gen Mustang.(Headliner)

Byline: BOB GRITZINGER

When Ford's next-generation Mustang arrives in another 20 months or so, it will come into a market devoid of competition. As General Motors gives up the pony-car fight, it leaves the American-built sports-car mass market to the people from Dearborn who created it some four decades ago.

So what do we really know about the 2005 model Mustang, due to market in fall 2004 (a delay from original plans that had the new 'Stang arriving next spring as a 2004 model)?

First off, if spy shots are any indication, the traditional 2+2 coupe will get a stunning new retro-ish wrapper, drawing most of its inspiration from meaty late-'60s Mustangs as Ford design chief J Mays dips once again into the historic Ford styling well for cues. Envision a full-out version of the fastback Bullitt Mustang beefy-trim treatment for a strong mental picture, along with a convertible version. Aluminum reportedly may be used in place of sheet molded composites for hood, trunklid and ground effects on some models.

Underpinning the new body is Ford's best chassis, the DEW platform, already in use in the Lincoln LS, Jaguar S-Type and Ford Thunderbird. For the Mustang, engineers ...