4 Most Underwhelming Ford Mustangs in Hollywood
Think of a beloved car movie. You’ll quickly picture a 1967 Shelby GT500 or a 1968 Ford Mustang GT 390 roaring, sliding, and vaulting into your heart. However, even with leading-car looks and pedigree, the Ford Mustang isn’t always the star. No, sometimes, the on-screen Blue Oval pony car is an unfortunate afterthought, like an example from “The Fast and the Furious” franchise.
The Ford Mustang might dominate some Hollywood favorites, but it fails others
Despite wearing stylish coupe or convertible styling, the Ford Mustang doesn’t always get high praise from Hollywood or movie-goers. Such is the case with these examples.
| Mustang model | Movie |
|---|---|
| Fox Body Mustang | “Back To the Future Part II” (1989) |
| S197 Mustang GT | “Fast & Furious” (2009) |
| 1994 Mustang SN95 | “Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer” (2007) |
| S197 Mustang | “Equalizer 3” (2023) |
A DeLorean DMC-12 might have taken Marty McFly to the future (and back). However, it’s not the only noteworthy car in the franchise. In “Back To the Future Part II,” Marty takes in the visage of the future. Interestingly enough, the future includes a cinema showing “Jaws 19” and a kitted-out Fox Body Mustang. Clearly, the future didn’t seek to update the Fox Body ‘Stang.
It’s difficult to blend in with an R34 Nissan Skyline and an eye-popping 1969 Chevrolet Camaro in an S197 Mustang. Such is the case for the S197 Ford Mustang GT in “Fast & Furious,” the fourth “The Fast and the Furious” franchise film. Next to the other performance cars, it’s just, well, precious. Even with a design by Tjaarda, the GT 550R looks out of place among the other performance cars.
What’s more, the Saleen supercharged 4.6L V8 might have been a bruiser, but the eager, whiney mill is ultimately let down by the Mustang’s gaudy aesthetic. It’s tough to follow the screen presence of the 1967 Ford Mustang from “The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift.”
Further, the Marvel movie-making machine included an SN-95 Mustang hitting the streets in “Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer.” We’re just glad that Hollywood moved on to more noteworthy pony cars. Think widebody Shelby from “Need for Speed.”
Finally, “Equalizer 3,” seems to grant Denzel Washington’s character, Robert McCall, a respite from his shoot-y, stabby lifestyle. That is, of course, until it doesn’t. Still, when the bad guys come-a-knocking on the Amalfi Coast, you’d expect the Italian mobsters to show up in Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Alfa Romeos, and, in a pinch, a BMW or two. You’d be right– with one exception: a standout, post-facelift S197 Ford Mustang. The thing shows up a couple of times, ruining your Mediterranean landscape with a head-scratching automotive casting choice.
