By the early 1990’s, the great-but-getting-old Fox-body Mustangs were ready for replacement. Ford knew they wouldn’t have an easy time following up the Fox-body Mustang, so rather than play it safe they decided to go for a radical redesign. Before the debut of the new Mustang though, they debuted the Mach III Concept in 1992, a “peek” into the future of the Ford Mustang. Luckily, the actual production car ditched most of the roadster’s looks, but unlike many concepts, this one could drive.

How do we know? We found this YouTube video of the Mustang Mach III Concept on the track. And looking back, it’s surprising to see how much of this Mustang did end up influencing the 1994-2004 Mustangs.

Take the taillights for example. While the production taillights were much smaller and less egregious, the same basic idea is there. The same could be said for the two small hood scoops on either side of the bonnet (as the British would say.) It’s also interesting that Ford went with a two-seat roadster design. Could Ford do the same for the next-generation Mustang?

Probably not. On the same token, the rear-seats in modern Mustangs have never been good for much (bring back bench seats!) and it’s about time for another radical redesign. Anyway, we just thought it was cool watching this weird concept car actually moving under its own power, and with so much wondering about the 2015 Mustang going on, let’s remember the other paths Ford chose not to take – and be thankful they didn’t.

Well, except for the 450 horsepower supercharged engine. That would have been nice. Can’t win ‘em all though.