S197 Mustang Side Mirrors

We lead off this month's installment with a question: What in the world was Ford thinking back in 2005 when it decided to assemble S197 Mustangs with side-view mirrors that look like they should be standard equipment on F-Series trucks?

Despite the S197's neo-retro mix of classic '68 Mustang and '05-present styling traits that give new 'Stangs their extreme cool, it appears designers really didn't put much thought toward giving the mirrors any type of knockout, unique flavor.

We see this faux pas as one of the few disservices done to '05-and-up Ponies. However, as is the case with other OEM components or areas of new Mustangs "that can use improvement," a member of the aftermarket-Agent 47, for this particular malady-has stepped in and righted the wrong that is the factory side-mirror setup on S197 'Stangs.

The company's Retro-Race Mirrors (PN A47RRM; $249) are bolt-on, direct-fit (the mirrors use the stock mounting locations and connectors for quick-and-easy installation) power mirrors that really enhance the new Mustangs' identity by replicating the classic, aerodynamic look of the racing-style mirrors found on fastback-style Mustangs of the late '60s.

Gonzalo Topete's '06 GT recently received the mirror upgrade, which was done at GTR High Performance in Rancho Cucamonga, California, by technician Dave Chamberlain. As you'll see in the photos, the mirror change only requires a few simple tools and about an hour of labor to make a huge difference (for the better) in the Pony's profile.