1991 Ford Mustang

The 1991 model year Mustang was part of the third generation, introduced in 1979 and produced through 1993. This was the longest prolonged production of any other Mustang body style. Poor sales during the early 1980s, mostly due to rising fuel costs, sent engineers and designers scrambling to create a new Mustang. They turned to their European cousins for inspiration, deciding to create a version of the Japanese-designer Mazda MX-6 with front-wheel drive. Enthusiasts did not agree with this decision and were very upset about a Mustang without a V8 option. In response, Ford decided to continue the production of the existing Mustang while the Mazda MX-6 version became the Ford Probe, released as a 1989 model. The Mustang soldiered on, receiving a major restyling for 1987 to its interior and exterior.

For 1991, the Fox-body Ford Mustang was available as the LX and 5.0-liter LX, and the Mustang GT. The LX versions were offered as a two-door sedan, three-door hatchback, and two-door convertible. The GT could be either a convertible or a two-door hatchback.

Mechanical changes for 1991 included a new twin-plug version of the 2.3-liter engine. The four-cylinder powerplant received a boost in power from 86 to 105 bhp. The base engine for the GT (and optional for the LX) was an overhead valve V8 displacing 302 cubic inches. The engine was equipped with a sequential fuel injection system and offered 225 bhp.

Both engines were available with a five-speed manual or an optional four-speed automatic. GT and LX 5.0-liter models received 16-inch five-spoke aluminum wheels. Standard on the LX 5.0-liter and optional on GT models were new P225/55ZR16 all-season performance tires.

Rear-passenger manual lap/shoulder belts were now standard equipment along with a driver's-side-airbag supplemental restraining system. Options for 1991 included a cargo tie-down net, front floor mats, graphic equalizer, 15-inch cast-aluminum wheels, and 14-inch styled road wheels.

Pricing began at $10,150 for the base (four-cylinder) coupe, $10,665 for the hatchback, and $16,220 for the convertible. The Addition of the eight-cylinder engine boosted the factory base price by approximately $3100. The Mustang GT, offered solely with the V8, was priced at $15,030 for the hatchback and $19,865 for the convertible.

The 98,737 units produced for the 1991 model year was the lowest amount to that point. Nearly 370,000 examples had been built in 1979, over 209,000 in 1989, 128,189 in 1990, before falling to 98,737 for 1991. Sales would continue to decline, with 79,280 units built in 1992 before increasing to 114,335 units in 1993. Sales would not dip below the 100,000 mark again until 2008.

by Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2014