For the 1978 model year, Ford Motor Company debuted the Fox platform with the Ford Fairmont and Mercury
Zephyr. The Fox platform was a redesign aimed at producing a smaller, more economical line of vehicles.
The Mustang was still on the Mustang II chassis for 1978, but for 1979, the Mustang and Capri debuted on
the Fox platform, and the rest, as they say, is history. The Fox Mustang had humble beginnings in 1979, with the 5.0L pushrod engine producing 139 horsepower
mated to either a four-speed manual overdrive transmission or a three-speed automatic. Regardless, the
1979 Mustang made enough of a splash it was tapped to pace the 1979 Indianapolis 500, and to celebrate
the occasion, Ford produced over 10,000 Indy 500 Pace Car Mustangs, which are highly sought after even
today. But 1979 was just the beginning. By 1982, Ford professed “The Boss is Back,” harkening back to
the Boss 302, Boss 429 and Boss 351 Mustangs that terrorized the streets and racetracks in the late
1960s, early 1970s. For 1982, the Mustang GT produced 157 horsepower thanks to better-breathing heads, a stout cam, a revised
“H.O.” firing order and an improved exhaust system, among many other performance improvements. With
exterior and suspension upgrades as part of the GT package, the Fox Mustang's performance signaled Ford
had a renewed interest in going fast. Over the next few years, horsepower steadily improved, and so did performance. The 1986 Mustang GT, with
its new fuel injection system, was rated at 200 horsepower with 285 lb-ft of torque, enough oats to
propel the car from 0-60 mph in six seconds, and through the quarter mile in 14.7 seconds at 92 mph.
Many enthusiasts pushed back at the idea of their favorite car featuring fuel injection, but the 1986
Mustang GT's performance spoke for itself. The 1986 model would be the last of the Four-Eye Fox Mustang.
For 1987, the Mustang received what we now call an aero front end with flush headlights, parking lamps
and side markers at the front of the car, increased exterior upgrades for a sportier look, a new dash
and most importantly, 25 more horsepower to arrive at 225 horsepower and 300 lb-ft of torque. Though
Ford didn't produce a ton of 1985 and 1986 5.0L LX coupe and hatchback models, starting with the 1987
model year, you could easily get the 225 horsepower 5.0L pushrod engine in an LX coupe (Or notchback),
LX hatchback, LX convertible, GT hatchback, and the GT convertible. For those wanting to be the quickest in a straight line, the LX coupe was the lightest of the group,
while the GT lived up to its grand touring heritage with improved seating, suspension, and a unique tire
and wheel package. From 1987 to the 1993 model year, the Fox Mustang was largely unchanged, save for
available colors, a conversion to a mass air engine management system in 1989, and for 1991-1993, a
standard 16-inch wheel and tire combo known as the now-legendary Pony wheel. The pinnacle of the 1979-1993 Mustang era was the 1993 Cobra produced by the newly assembled Ford SVT
group, which boasted GT40 heads, a Cobra-specific intake and a performance camshaft to boost horsepower
to 235 to go along with 285 lb-ft of torque. These numbers don't seem like much, but for 1993, Ford
revised its horsepower ratings to 205 horsepower and 275 lb-ft of torque for the 5.0L engine in LX and
GT models. The Cobra featured the aforementioned engine upgrades, but also a more attractive exterior
and 17-inch wheel design combined with increased attention given to suspension damping to arrive at a
Mustang equally at home on the street and at the track. The 1993 Cobra R, with just 107 produced, took
the Cobra's performance even further thanks to the addition of increased braking performance, the
subtraction of weight thanks to the removal of the Cobra's A/C and sound system, Koni shocks and struts,
a rear seat delete, and various fluid coolers needed on a dedicated race car. In 1994, an updated Fox platform with a new more aerodynamic body style ushered in the SN95, and in 1999
the body was changed again to welcome the New Edge body style, which would go through the 2004 model
year. Since the Fox platform would run through to the 2004 model year with significantly different exteriors,
1979-1993 Mustangs became known as “Fox Bodies.” Fox Body is the name given to Mustangs produced from
1979-1993, and in case you haven't noticed, the Fox Body Mustang market is probably the hottest
automotive segment going these days. Those among us who were of driving age during the Fox Body's heyday
either had one or wished they did. Now that most have reached the age where the kids are out of the
house and they have a little extra disposable income, they're reliving their youth and getting into a
Fox Body Mustang. The sons and daughters of that generation are also getting in on the act, since most
of their childhood was spent riding in a Fox Body Mustang. In Mustang circles, much of current day discussions center on Fox Body Mustangs. The Fox Body Mustang's
popularity is off the charts. There are Fox Body-specific Mustang shows, where there are hundreds and
hundreds of Fox Body Mustangs in attendance. The Fox Body Mustang changed and revitalized the
performance landscape back in the 1980s and 1990s, and decades later, we wouldn't call it a resurgence,
but maybe a recognition of the importance the Fox Body Mustang had on an industry and a generation of
enthusiasts that continues today. Still today, the Fox Body Mustang makes for a great project vehicle. The price to get in on the fun is
higher these days, but you can buy a pretty nice Fox Body Mustang roller for around $4,000 - $6,000. A
pretty good 5.0L Fox Body Mustang in running condition will cost between $7,500 - $10,000, while a
really nice stock 5.0L car will run you anywhere from $12,500 - $15,000. You want a really nice,
modified Fox Body Mustang you say? Count on paying anywhere from $17,000 - $22,500. Coyote-swap Fox Body
Mustangs usually start at $25,000 for a well-executed build, and they go up from there depending on
power adder, suspension upgrades, wheel and tire additions, and of course, paint quality. Even with these prices, a Fox Body Mustang makes for the perfect project car for many reasons. First,
parts and pieces are plentiful, whether new or used. Swap meets, used parts resellers, Facebook
Marketplace, and the like are full of Fox Body Mustang parts, but if new is for you, places like Steeda
still carries so many performance parts just waiting to be installed on your Fox Body Mustang project.
Second, Fox Body Mustangs are easy to work on, especially the pushrod 5.0L engine. Compared to the
Two-Valve and Four-Valve modular and Coyote engines, the pushrod 5.0L engine is a piece of cake to work
on and maintain. Even if you're a newcomer to the Fox Body Mustang market, don't be intimidated, Fox
Body Mustangs are a breeze, and there are so many helpful Fox enthusiasts ready to help. Third, there's so much interchangeability between the LX, GT and Cobra models, the sky's the limit with
what is possible with a Fox Body Mustang, regardless if you choose a 1979-1986 Four-Eye car or a
1987-1993 aero car. You can modify the car's exterior, choose a unique color, add the right wheels and
tires, and even on a show field full of other Fox Body Mustangs, you'll stand out in a crowd. The first thing to do is to get your own Fox Body Mustang, and get started. Is the Fox Body Mustang the Ultimate Project Car?
Table of Contents
The Birth of the Fox Platform Mustang
The Fox Body's Sportier New Look
Why the Fox Body Mustang is the Ultimate Project Car
Looking for the next mod on your Fox Body Mustang? Check out our catalog here!
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