Evolution of My GT Grille (Still in Progress?)

[Panzer948]

Nice touches indeed!!

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[Jimrpa]

Definitely unique!

Seems like a ton of work for a badge swap, so no doubt it’ll be the only one in the world!

Was trying to think of another Ford with that badge on the front like that and this is the only one I could think of:

Actually, the “floating Ford Oval” goes back at least to the 1986 Ford Taurus. It was considered a revolutionary design element at the time.

I really like Mark’s evolution of the concept to the Ford Oval “floating in space” or “floating in a void”. I will confess though, that from a branding perspective, I’d like to see this vehicle maintain the Mustang identity. A generic “Ford” identity is more suitable for regular SUVs (like escape, explorer or expedition).

Mark’s work is incredible!

 

[mkhuffman]

Actually, the “floating Ford Oval” goes back at least to the 1986 Ford Taurus. It was considered a revolutionary design element at the time.

I really like Mark’s evolution of the concept to the Ford Oval “floating in space” or “floating in a void”. I will confess though, that from a branding perspective, I’d like to see this vehicle maintain the Mustang identity. A generic “Ford” identity is more suitable for regular SUVs (like escape, explorer or expedition).

Mark’s work is incredible!

But Mark has a real Mustang. One that makes beautiful engine noises.

 

[markboris]

Actually, the “floating Ford Oval” goes back at least to the 1986 Ford Taurus. It was considered a revolutionary design element at the time.

I really like Mark’s evolution of the concept to the Ford Oval “floating in space” or “floating in a void”. I will confess though, that from a branding perspective, I’d like to see this vehicle maintain the Mustang identity. A generic “Ford” identity is more suitable for regular SUVs (like escape, explorer or expedition).

Mark’s work is incredible!

Thanks Jim! I understand the whole Mustang thing. My Mach-E doesn't have any ponies visible anywhere inside or out. It is not that I am strongly against it being called a Mustang, I just love it when people stop me to ask what kind of car it is since it only has Ford emblems. They get all confused. I like to keep people guessing. I am not a badge person except for the Ford oval. I've removed badges/emblems on most all my cars to clean them up. Every look at the back of earlier Toyotas and? They have badges for their name, model, engine size, drivetrain, etc., like 5 all on the rear. What a mess.

 

[markboris]

But Mark has a real Mustang. One that makes beautiful engine noises.

And believe it or not Mike, even though that is a real Mustang, there is not one pony or the name Mustang anywhere inside or out. I did not take any badges off the GT500 either. It only has Cobra emblems inside and out.

 

[JohnFoxeSheets]

Both your non-Mustang Mustangs are gorgeous! And Riley is awfully cute too.

 

[mkhuffman]

Now, Mark, it is time to post a picture of the GT500. We all want to see it again.

 

[Tampamike]

Now, Mark, it is time to post a picture of the GT500. We all want to see it again.

Click on his showcase at the bottom of his posts - a whole slew of GT500 pics there.

 

[Jimrpa]

But Mark has a real Mustang. One that makes beautiful engine noises.

So, one of the sales guys at my dealer was showing me his 24 GTPE (Eruptions Green, Bronze). He had that aftermarket sound system installed that makes fake IC engine noises. I was unimpressed. I want my science fiction-y, futuristic car to “sound” like it came from the future, not the 1960s ?

 

[Jimrpa]

Thanks Jim! I understand the whole Mustang thing. My Mach-E doesn't have any ponies visible anywhere inside or out. It is not that I am strongly against it being called a Mustang, I just love it when people stop me to ask what kind of car it is since it only has Ford emblems. They get all confused. I like to keep people guessing. I am not a badge person except for the Ford oval. I've removed badges/emblems on most all my cars to clean them up. Every look at the back of earlier Toyotas and? They have badges for their name, model, engine size, drivetrain, etc., like 5 all on the rear. What a mess.

Mark, don’t get me wrong - I think it looks amazing and is definitely going to invite people to take a closer look, which is great!

 

[OH2AZ2OH]

You should swap in a plain silver oval after a couple of years, just to keep it authentic.

 

[Skyman63]

All for making sure it says Ford on it as much as possible. Where I live, everyone sees an electric car and assumes it's a Tesla!!

 

[CanadaGlen]

I wanted my '24 GT to look a bit different in the front than my '21 GT did. For the rear, on my '21 I removed the pony on the liftgate and replaced it with a custom painted Ford Oval (Iconic Silver/black). Added gloss black wrap across the top of the taillights bridging them together. I did the same to my '24 except the oval is Glacier Gray and black and also removed the rear wiper but haven't done anything to the front so wanted to try something new.

I ordered a custom grille from Bruce (BSKT) with no pony and had my detail guy wrap it with a design that looks similar to the OEM GT grille. Ran that for a few months then decided the front end was a bit blah so figured I would throw on a custom painted Ford oval emblem like I had done in the rear (Glacier Gray/Black) but reverse the colors. The issue was, the oval emblem needed a flat surface to mount to. I had a body shop fabricate a flat mounting surface and then had them paint the grille gloss black. I was going to wrap it with the OEM GT design but after I saw it in gloss black decided to keep it. Had my detail guy apply PPF and I installed the oval emblem and here we are....

Customized the rear a bit

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Never did take a photo with the OEM pony grille but everyone knows what that looks like. Here is the ponyless grille with the GT design wrap.

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Gloss black grille

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How much work to take the front end off?

 

[markboris]

How much work to take the front end off?

Takes me about 20 minutes but I have a lift so it's easier/faster. In the Frunk, take out the three trim panels and tub. Under the car, remove the front skid plate. Remove both front wheels/tires and pull back the front part of the inner fender liner. Pull the front half of the fender trim off. Remove two bolts on each side where the front bumper cover is secured to the fenders. Remove 4 bolts across the top of the bumper cover were it is secured to the front frame and lift off the bumper cover.

If you want a visual I can post the photos from the repair manual.

 

[Trueblue3605]

I wanted my '24 GT to look a bit different in the front than my '21 GT did. For the rear, on my '21 I removed the pony on the liftgate and replaced it with a custom painted Ford Oval (Iconic Silver/black). Added gloss black wrap across the top of the taillights bridging them together. I did the same to my '24 except the oval is Glacier Gray and black and also removed the rear wiper but haven't done anything to the front so wanted to try something new.

I ordered a custom grille from Bruce (BSKT) with no pony and had my detail guy wrap it with a design that looks similar to the OEM GT grille. Ran that for a few months then decided the front end was a bit blah so figured I would throw on a custom painted Ford oval emblem like I had done in the rear (Glacier Gray/Black) but reverse the colors. The issue was, the oval emblem needed a flat surface to mount to. I had a body shop fabricate a flat mounting surface and then had them paint the grille gloss black. I was going to wrap it with the OEM GT design but after I saw it in gloss black decided to keep it. Had my detail guy apply PPF and I installed the oval emblem and here we are....

Customized the rear a bit

View attachment 149933

View attachment 149934

Never did take a photo with the OEM pony grille but everyone knows what that looks like. Here is the ponyless grille with the GT design wrap.

View attachment 149937

View attachment 149935

View attachment 149958

Gloss black grille

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View attachment 149941

View attachment 150050

If I wanted fag lights in my grille or the Rally grille, is that a whole bumper cover , or is if just the insert?

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