1979-1993 Mustang Paint Colors & Codes
During the late 1970s, Ford was at a crossroads with America's favorite pony car for a few reasons; 1. During this time, America was facing an oil shortage which meant that Ford and other manufacturers had to severely decrease horsepower potential throughout the entire ranges of vehicles to enhance fuel efficiency and economy, 2. The Mustang went through a gray area during its second generation and lost sight of what a Mustang is supposed to be. Lastly, the Mustang was in desperate need of reinvigoration to set off a new venture of performance design, style, and performance.
What came to be is a complete revelation of its 1960s counterpart in the Fox Body Mustang. Unlike Mustang models of the past, this would be a much more compact, sporty, and lighter design than ever before. Ford knew that it had to give the Mustang community a more efficient package while still retaining classic Mustang styling and performance. In 1979, the world of Mustang would never be the same again, engineers finally brought back the long-awaited GT model and introduced the 5.0L V8 engine that paid homage to its 60s era siblings in the Boss 302 engine and Shelby GT350. It kicked off the longest running generation of any Mustang to date, over 13 years of variations of Fox Body were designed and built during this time.
Like the original stallions, the Fox Body generation would need paint colors that would enhance the overall style and sleek profile to give it that all American flare which makes Mustang so unique. This guide below will provide you with a broad overview of every paint color and code throughout the entire 1979-1993 Mustang models!
1979-1983 Mustang Color Options
During the first four years of the Fox Body Mustang, it took the American automotive community by storm for its sleek lines, prominent four headlights, and aggressive stance that distinguishedly says Mustang! Furthermore, a similar fastback profile would pay tribute to Mustang models of 1967-1973; these were the ponies that paved the way for the Fox Body and other models beyond. Seen for its shorter wheelbase, lighter chassis, and compact size, the Fox Body Mustang was revolutionary to all enthusiasts. For the first time, a Stallion would receive a hatch-style trunk that made for a more economical approach to cargo storage while still retaining the classic fastback profile of the Mustang.
In 1979, the GT nameplate was finally restored to its original glory. The introduction of the 5.0L V8 was a significant leap forward in engine technology, paying homage to the legendary engines that came before during the height of the 60s era muscle car reign. Like the original Mustang, the āfour-eyed foxā came optional with some very unique colors to accentuate the design, lines, and bodywork to make a statement among its Chevrolet rival. Below you will see a complete chart of every color and which year it was available to the public, even if you're looking to do a color change or fix some pesky rock chips.
1979-1983 Mustang Paint Color Chart
| Paint Code | Paint Colors | Color Sample | Color Notations | Applicable Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1C | Black |
|
1979-1983 | |
| 1E | Pewter |
|
Mustang Pace Car | 1979 |
| 1G | Silver |
|
1979-1983 | |
| 1P | Medium Gray |
|
1979, 1980, 1982 | |
| 2H | Medium Red |
|
1979, 1981, 1982, 1983 | |
| 2P | Bright Red |
|
1979-1983 | |
| 3F | Light Medium Blue |
|
1979 | |
| 3H | Medium Blue Glow |
|
1979, 1981, 1982 | |
| 3J | Bright Blue |
|
1979 | |
| 46 | Dark Jade |
|
1979 | |
| 5W | Medium Vaquero Glow |
|
1979 | |
| 64 | Bright Yellow |
|
1979-1981 | |
| 83 | Light Chamois |
|
1979 | |
| 85 | Tangerine |
|
1979 | |
| 9D | White |
|
1979 | |
| 9D | Polar White |
|
1980-1983 | |
| 8W | Chamois Glow |
|
1980 | |
| 8N | Dark Cordovan |
|
1980-1982 | |
| 8D | Bittersweet Glow |
|
1980-1982 | |
| 8A | Dark Chamois |
|
1980 | |
| 5T | Bright Caramel |
|
1980 | |
| 3J | Bright Blue |
|
1980 | |
| 3H | Medium Blue |
|
1980 | |
| 2G | Bright Bittersweet |
|
1980-1981 | |
| 86 | Pastel Chamois |
|
1981 | |
| 5Q | Medium Dark Brown |
|
1981 | |
| 3L | Dark Blue |
|
1980-1982 | |
| 17 | Medium Pewter |
|
1981 | |
| 6Z | Pastel Vanilla |
|
1982- | |
| 6Y | Medium Vanilla |
|
1982 | |
| 61 | Medium Yellow |
|
1982-1983 | |
| 1B | Medium Charcoal |
|
1983 | |
| 38 | Light Academy Blue Glow |
|
1983 | |
| 5U | Dark Walnut |
|
1983 | |
| 3D | Dark Academy Blue |
|
1983 | |
| 9N | Desert Tan Glow |
|
1983 | |
| 9Q | Light Desert Tan |
|
1983 |
1984-1993 Mustang Color Options
Coming upon the year 1984, the Fox Body Mustang was already a favorite among the American automotive community and Mustang faithful. During the first five years, enthusiasts found the all-new pony to be the most exciting and visceral since the original in the 1960s. Everyone used them for conquering your favorite mountain road, drag racing, and your local road racing course. With the 5.0 V8 cementing itself in legendary Ford engine history, Ford knew that each year it would have to up the stakes a little higher while also giving a diverse lineup. Introduced in 1986, the SVO (Special Vehicle Operations) Fox Body was the first Mustang ever to have a 2.3L turbo four-cylinder engine from the factory. The SVO Mustang was introduced due to the broader injection of foreign economy vehicles being entered into the market.
Heading towards the end of the Fox Body era, Mustang engineers knew they had to invigorate and send off the third-generation Mustang with a punch. To send off the Fox Body right, Ford and Mustang engineers established the most prolific skunkworks operation to date in SVT (Special Vehicle Team). With this, SVT engineers came up with the most significant Cobra ever since the late 1960s, culminating in the best design and performance ever seen in the Fox Body Mustang.
Like the early Mustang models form the third generation, this refresh showed how Ford could enhance the overall design by offering many colors to allow enthusiasts to give them their input and sense of style. Below you find our complete chart on every color and code for Fox Body Mustang models.
1984-1993 Mustang Paint Color Chart
| Paint Code | Paint Colors | Color Sample | Color Notations | Applicable Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1C | Black |
|
1984-1993 | |
| 1E | Silver |
|
1984-1993 | |
| 27 | Bright Red |
|
1984 | |
| 2C | Medium Canyon Red |
|
1984 | |
| 35 | Light Cadet Blue |
|
1984 | |
| 5C | Dark Cadet Blue |
|
1984 | |
| 8Q | Light Desert Tan |
|
1984 | |
| 9C | Bright Copper |
|
1984 | |
| 9J | Pastel Desert Sand |
|
1984 | |
| 9L | Oxford White |
|
1984-1993 | |
| 9W | Dark Charcoal |
|
1984 | |
| 1B | Medium Charcoal |
|
1985 | |
| 2E | Light Canyon Red |
|
1985 | |
| 2R | Bright Red (Jalapena) |
|
1985 | |
| 3L | Midnight Blue |
|
1985 | |
| 3V | Light Regatta Blue |
|
1985, 1986 | |
| 4E | Dark Sage |
|
1985, 1986 | |
| 4M | Dark Slate |
|
1985, 1986 | |
| 2H | Medium Red |
|
1990-1993 | |
| 8L | Sand Beige |
|
1985, 1986, 1987, 1988 | |
| 8Y | Dark Clove Brown |
|
1985, 1987 | |
| 2A | Medium Canyon Red |
|
1985, 1986 | |
| 7B | Shadow Blue |
|
1986 | |
| 1D | Dark Gray |
|
1986, 1987, 1988 | |
| 1K | Light Gray |
|
1987 | |
| 2D | Scarlet Red |
|
1987, 1988 | |
| 2H | Medium Cabernet |
|
1987, 1990 | |
| 3R | Medium Shadow Blue |
|
1987, 1988 | |
| 6H | Medium Yellow |
|
1987 | |
| 7H | Bright Regatta Blue |
|
1987, 1988, 1989 | |
| 7N | Dark Shadow Blue |
|
1987, 1988, 1989 | |
| 1K | Light Gray (Smoke) |
|
1988 | |
| 6L | Dark Brown |
|
1988 | |
| 66 | Mimosa Yellow |
|
1989 | |
| 6V | Almond |
|
1989 | |
| AG | Race Yellow |
|
1990 | |
| EL | Wild Strawberry |
|
1990, 1991, 1992 | |
| EP | Vermillion |
|
1990 | |
| MA | Light Crystal Blue |
|
1990, 1991 | |
| MK | Twilight Blue |
|
1990, 1991 | |
| MM | Ultra Blue |
|
1990, 1991 | |
| YF | Light Titanium |
|
1990 | |
| YU | Dark Titanium |
|
1990 | |
| K3 | Bimini Blue |
|
1991 | |
| PM | Bright Green (Calypso) |
|
1991 | |
| YX | Titanium Frost |
|
1991, 1992 | |
| PA | Deep Emerald Green |
|
1991, 1992 | |
| PM | Bright Green (Calypso) |
|
1992 | |
| ES | Vibrant Red |
|
1992, 1993 | |
| BZ | Canary Yellow |
|
1993 | |
| EG | Electric Red |
|
1993 | |
| PD | Reef Blue |
|
1993 | |
| RD | Teal |
|
1993 | |
| PM | Calypso Green |
|
1993 | |
| WB | Vibrant White |
|
1993 |
