10 Most Significant Foxbody Mustangs
During 56 years of long Ford Mustang history, there are dozens of colorful and exciting stories about America's best-selling pony car. From its meteoric rise into automotive stardom, racing success, and record-breaking popularity as well as disgraceful second-generation model and void it left in enthusiast's hearts. However, today we will concentrate on its third-generation model, legendary Foxbody Mustang that was a longest-selling model of them all, staying in production for an incredible 14 years (1979 to 1993).
We will tell you the story of how Foxbody revolutionized Mustang breed and how it revived Ford's performance image during the decade, which saw the introduction of front-wheel-drive and turbo technology instead of push-rod V8 and live rear axle. Here are the ten most significant and influential Foxbody Mustangs ever made.
1. 1979 Ford Mustang
The Foxbody was presented as a replacement for universally-hated Mustang II and was a much-needed improvement in every way. With its modern design, aerodynamic shape, elegant interior, and a wide choice of available engines, 1979 Mustang was a big step up in the right direction.
Although not nearly as powerful as later models, the early Foxbody Mustangs were light, nimble, and agile vehicles thanks to the Fox platform Ford has designed for its mid-size offerings. With almost 370,000 Mustangs sold in the first year alone, it was clear that Ford has made the right choice with the Foxbody.
2. 1980 Ford Mustang Cobra
Even though early models didn't have any real performance, this didn't stop Ford from offering an ambitious Cobra model in 1979 through 1981. Powered by 2.3-liter turbo four-cylinder, V6, or V8 engine, Cobra was basically a trim package that included spoilers, decals, emblems, and other details.
The Cobra wasn't fast, but it looked great and showed the motoring public that Ford has its mind set on reviving the Mustang's lost performance credentials.
3. 1982 Ford Mustang GT
Ambitiously marketed with the slogan "The Boss is Back," the 1982 Mustang GT 5.0 proved to be a big step forward for Foxbody breed. First, it was the first GT model in 13 years, and second, it was one of the hottest US cars of 1982. Ford discontinued the GT model in 1969 to concentrate on other performance variants, and in 1982, with the introduction of 5.0-liter with 157 HP on tap, they decided to reintroduce it.
The 1982 GT was significantly faster than other Foxbody Mustangs, had redesigned front end, spoiler, and hood scoop as well as suspension modifications. Even though its power output was models, the 1982 GT marks the beginning of Mustang's performance renaissance.
4. 1984 Ford Mustang SVO
The '80s brought us many new technologies, and Ford's newly established performance division SVO (Special Vehicle Operations) was set on using them in order to modernize the Mustang and introduce it to customers more oriented to import sports cars. That is how the 1984 to 1986 Mustang SVO came to be. It was an extraordinary car with the unique front end, rear spoilers, and taillights, but the real treat was under the hood.
SVO department took a 2.3-liter turbo engine and tuned it to 175 and later to 205 HP. The SVO had a special interior and four-wheel-disc brakes as well as unique five-lug wheels. All of a sudden, the fastest Mustang wasn't the V8 but small four-cylinder turbo. Unfortunately, the Mustang SVO was expensive, and Ford only made 10,000 examples.
5. 1985 Ford Mustang SSP (Special Service Package)
If you were speeding anywhere in America back in the '80s and early '90s, chances are that you were apprehended by one of over 15,000 Mustang SSP that was employed by various law enforcement agencies. In the early '80s, California Highway Patrol was on a lookout for a high-speed cruiser which could catch those pesky Porsches, which regularly managed to outrun underpowered Dodge Diplomats they were using.
Ford responded with a stripped-down version of notchback Mustang, powered by unrestricted 5.0 and with heavy-duty components, brakes, and suspension. Very soon, all police forces had them as well as the Army and even FBI; some SSP Mustangs were used till the early 2000s.
6. 1987 Ford Mustang GT
This is probably the car we think of when we say the Foxbody GT and the very model which made "5.0" designation so recognizable and popular. In 1987, Ford fully redesigned the Mustang with new front and rear end and different interior but more important were improvements made under the sheet metal. First and foremost the engine. The old Windsor block received upgraded fuel injection and engine management system which resulted with 225 HP and 300 lb-ft of torque.
With 0 to 60 MPH time of just 6.5 seconds and advertised top speed of 140 MPH, the 1987 to 1993 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 was the worth of its name and performance model that Ford fans were waiting for decades. With a long list of options, cool-styling, affordable price, and dependable mechanics, it is not strange that late '80s Foxbody was one of the best and most sought-after performance cars of the era and true modern classic.
7. 1987 Ford Mustang ASC McLaren
A bit obscure model in Mustang history but exciting part of Foxbody story, ASC McLaren is a cross between Foxbody GT Convertible and Mercedes SL500. Created by American Sunroof Company (ASC) and imagined as a two-seater, roadster version of the Mustang, ASC McLaren was bespoke creation produced in just 1806 examples between 1987 and 1990.
There were numerous changes done to a standard convertible with two being most visible – removal of the back seats and windshield pulled back 20 degrees to give it a sportier look.
8. 1989 Saleen SSC
Besides being a top-seller in its class during the '80s, Foxbody also had a fantastic racing carrier. One of the guys who was responsible for putting Mustangs in the winner's circle was Steve Saleen, who knew a thing or two about tuning Foxbodies.
By the end of the '80s, Saleen offered limited edition SSC models, which could be considered Shelby Mustangs of the Foxbody era. With 292 HP, competition suspension, special aerodynamic package, racing brakes, and transmission, Saleen SSC was a race-breed muscle car and showed the enormous potential that the Foxbody platform has.
9. 1993 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra
For years, Mustang conspiracy theorists speculated why Ford doesn't improve the Foxbody since the 1987 to 1993 model was virtually unchanged. There was so many things Ford could do, from installing 5.8-liter V8, to upgrading brakes to discs all around, five-lug wheels, offer more rear-end ratios and so on. All those stories came to the end in 1993 when Ford introduced the last Foxbody special model in form of sublime 1993 Cobra SVT. The Cobra was the pinnacle of 14 year history of the Foxbody and the model all Mustang fans have been praying for.
Apart from unique body kit and rear spoiler, 17-inch wheels, and three unique exterior colors, Cobra had upgraded 5.0-liter V8, better suspension and brakes. Ford used GT40 cylinder heads, performance intake and exhaust system to extract 235 HP out of its venerable V8. Everybody agrees that the real power output is over 250 HP which sub 6 second 0 to 60 mph times imply. The '93 Cobra was a one-year-only model, and Ford made exactly 4993 examples.
10. 1993 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra R
Everybody who had $18,505 in 1993 could buy Cobra, but to own Cobra R, one of just 107 made, you needed $25,697 and an active racing license. The Cobra R was an even more exclusive version of the Foxbody and non-street-legal model, which was destined for the race track. That is why only well-off racing teams of private racers could own one.
The Cobra R was a totally stripped-down car without any luxury items. The engine and the drive train were the same as the standard Cobra, but due to less weight and improved brakes, Cobra R was beast around the track. Also, Cobra R is the most expensive Foxbody ever sold and last year a perfect example with just delivery miles sold for a whopping $132,000.
Author: Vukasin Herbez
Photos: Ford
