The British ‘Mustang’ ??

[Calinours]

There’s always a slow but steady stream of YouTube videos celebrating the classic Aston DBS/V8/Vantage. Launched way back in 1967, the big new car, and the big V8 engine designed for it (that it finally received a couple of years later), both underpinned AML for decades and have in the 21st century come to be seen as the very fine classic Astons that they are, with all variants, but particularly the early DBS V8, the Vantages and especially the last of line X-pack cars commanding huge prices.

Whenever a review of any type has ever been made, there is inevitably a slew of comments along the lines of ‘The British Mustang’, ‘it’s a copy of a Mustang’, ‘a luxury Mustang’, ‘I thought this was a Mustang’ etc etc.

It’s sort of easy to understand why - that early 1970s facelift where Towns dropped the DBS’s original quad headlights in favour of a cowled in twin headlight design. That facelift produced a ‘look’ that immediately invited comparison to that signature frontal look of the 1965 Mustang.

However - the body of the DBS V8, renamed the V8 post the departure of David Brown remained just as Towns had penned it back in 1967.

To my eyes, it seems clear that the car that was taken by Towns as the ‘inspiration’ for the original DBS wasn’t the Mustang at all, it was much more likely this…

The 1967 Chevrolet Camaro:



Here’s the DBS (a V8 as it doesn’t have the 6-cyl cars spoked wheels)



The DBS bears way more resemblance to the Camaro than the Mustang…



But looking at only the headlights of the above Mustang, we can see where at least a little of the inspiration for the DBS V8s early 1970s facelift might have come from…



Still, it remains seemingly obvious the Camaro was much more the inspiration, as Towns once again appeared to take inspiration from the Camaro’s later aero-add ons for the ‘flip tail’ on the original Vantages a few years later in 1977…

Edited by Calinours on Saturday 16th March 15:13

[F1NDW]

I was 12 when the DBS was launched and had been in love with the DB 4,5 and 6. It was such a change I was not impressed. With the introduction of the twin headlight version I softened a bit.
Following a V8 up the M1 on my way home from an Earls court motor show I was blown away as the road ahead cleared and the Aston blasted off in front of me.
They have become one of my favourite Astons of all time. Absolutely love them.

[VanquishRider]

It was one of these V8 Vantage Astons, probably an Oscar India or X Pack at a house I delivered papers to as a boy that made me determined to have an Aston one day.

I was amazed how big the wheels and tyres were. Our house had a Mini with 10 Inch wheels at the time.

[DB9VolanteDriver]

If you are going to compare Camaro and Mustang to the Aston, you could at least use the correct Mustang version; the fastback. No wonder you think the Aston looks more like Camaro than the Mustang (wrongly).

[Calinours]

DB9VolanteDriver said:

If you are going to compare Camaro and Mustang to the Aston, you could at least use the correct Mustang version; the fastback. No wonder you think the Aston looks more like Camaro than the Mustang (wrongly).

OK, here’s the fast back. Granted it’s closer especially to the facelifted AMV8, but the curving body lines of the Camaro, to my mind are still closer to the profile of the DBS.

[Phil74891]

Or ‘70
chevy Chevelle

Edited by Phil74891 on Saturday 16th March 18:11

Edited by Phil74891 on Saturday 16th March 18:13

[peteA]

Not sure the DBS / V8 looks like any of them? There are small areas or elements that are similar ish but overall I’m not seeing it? I always thought the British mustang tag was for the capri?

[vpr]

I see this “looks like a Mustang” crap every single time so I guess there’s something in it BUT for the life of me I cannot see any resemblance apart from both have 4 wheels and a sloping rear window.

When I restored my 67 390GT FB I purposely painted it the same colour as my X Pack.

Here you go…..you tell me

[VanquishRider]

It is more the profile and size proportions rather than the styling.

[Calinours]

vpr said:

I see this “looks like a Mustang” crap every single time so I guess there’s something in it BUT for the life of me I cannot see any resemblance apart from both have 4 wheels and a sloping rear window.

When I restored my 67 390GT FB I purposely painted it the same colour as my X Pack.

Here you go…..you tell me

The purpose of the thread is to point out that the V8/Vantage never did look like a Mustang, even a fastback, and that is self evident in those fantastic photos.

[ram_g]

You guys…

OF COURSE they look similar! To the layman - not to the Aston or Ford aficionado who can easily discern the differences, but then these folk are unlikely to have been the ones to come up with the “British Mustang” description in the first place.

I guarantee that for most people who happen to catch one driving by they’re going to think “oh hey, nice Mustang!” Or if they happen to see the logo they’re going to wonder what car that was that looked so much like a fastback Mustang…

Edit - for context, I should add that I’m located in Texas, and (presumably in common with most other people here) I’ve never seen an Aston Martin of that vintage, whereas I’ve seen plenty of Mustangs. Maybe people in the UK who catch a fastback Mustang driving by may think “oh hey, nice Aston Martin!” or maybe they’re generally better educated about older sports cars.

Edited by ram_g on Sunday 17th March 16:47

[Simpo Two]

I'd say the Valour looks more like the Mustang...

[Calinours]

ram_g said:

You guys…

Maybe people in the UK who catch a fastback Mustang driving by may think “oh hey, nice Aston Martin!”

I’d like to think not……

[DB9VolanteDriver]

Calinours said:

vpr said:

I see this “looks like a Mustang” crap every single time so I guess there’s something in it BUT for the life of me I cannot see any resemblance apart from both have 4 wheels and a sloping rear window.

When I restored my 67 390GT FB I purposely painted it the same colour as my X Pack.

Here you go…..you tell me

The purpose of the thread is to point out that the V8/Vantage never did look like a Mustang, even a fastback, and that is self evident in those fantastic photos.

Certainly NOT self evident. They look very similar to me; enough to understand the British Mustang appellation.

[carealtor]

The front end comparison to a late 1967 Shelby Mustang would be spooky similar.

[GTRene]

carealtor said:

The front end comparison to a late 1967 Shelby Mustang would be spooky similar.

reminds me of this 700hp wide monster

[Legacywr]

vpr said:

I see this “looks like a Mustang” crap every single time so I guess there’s something in it BUT for the life of me I cannot see any resemblance apart from both have 4 wheels and a sloping rear window.

When I restored my 67 390GT FB I purposely painted it the same colour as my X Pack.

Here you go…..you tell me

I’d have the Mustang, that looks great

[David W.]

Watched this this evening, what a lovely thing. https://youtu.be/2pVB1Lk6mCI?si=Q14kRc9g6b39QOrd

[Cold]

A mass produced Ford looking like an exclusive Aston Martin? That would never happen these days.



The more things change the more they stay the same.

[VanquishRider]

Cold said:

A mass produced Ford looking like an exclusive Aston Martin? That would never happen these days.



The more things change the more they stay the same.

Well they are both black with silver grilles.