1992 Ford Mustang

The third generation of the Ford Mustang was produced from 1978 to 1993 and during that time, evolved through a number of trim levels, sub-models, and drivetrain combinations. The first significant redesign since the 1978 introduction came in 1986. Models were now paired down to the LX and GT. The LX cars were often more luxurious, while the GT package was considered the performance versions.

The 1992 Ford Mustang was offered in LX and GT trim levels with coupe, hatchback, and convertible body styles. The coupe was not available on the GT. The base coupe had a price of $10,215 and the hatchback sold for $10,720. The Convertible raised the price to $16,900. In comparison, the GT Convertible had a base price of $20,200 and the GT Hatchback of $15,245.

The base LX engine was an inline, overhead cam, four-cylinder unit with a cast-iron block and head, hydraulic valve lifters, and multi-port fuel injection. It delivered just over 100 horsepower at 4,600 RPM and 135 lb-feet of torque at 2,600 RPM. The GT engine was an overhead valve V8 with a cast-iron block and head, sequential fuel injection, hydraulic valve lifters, five-main bearings, and delivered 225 horsepower and 300 lb-feet of torque. A five-speed manual with floor shift controls was standard and a four-speed overdrive automatic was optional. Steering was handled by a rack-and-pinion unit and braking by front disc and rear power-assisted drums.

In 1992, the Mustang LX received new body side moldings and bumper rubstripes that were color-coded, giving an enhanced exterior appearance. There was a four-way power driver's seat option and two new colors of Calypso green and Bimini blue. Standard equipment included four- and rear-passenger shoulder seat belts, a modified MacPherson-strut rear suspension, rear spoiler, an electronic AM/FM stereo radio with four speakers, driver's side airbag, and low-back reclining bucket seats with headrests.

SAAC Mustang
1992 was also the year of the SAAC (Shelby American Automobile Club) Mustang. Carroll Shelby had teamed up with Chrysler to produce performance cars from 1986 through 1986. He worked on creating a series of Dodge-powered, 4-cylinder turbocharged and intercooled performance cars as SAAC members watched from the sidelines. Shelby claimed that the 1986 Omni-based GLHS was faster than the original Gt350 and could out-handle it on a road course. To prove this, he went to Willow Springs where he challenged any stock GT-350 to race around the course for pink slips. Rightfully so, the SAAC enthusiasts were not pleased with Mr. Shelby.

During this time, the Mustang was enjoying a resurgence of performance and the top-of-the-line GT model was better than previous Fox-bodied Mustangs, yet still had room for improvement. Many SAAC members felt this was the perfect time for Mr. Shelby to work his magic and bring the Mustang to the next level - but he had abandoned them for Chrysler.

Ford had tried to resurrect the Shelby name and performance persona in 1984 by using the 'GT350' designation on its 20th Anniversary Edition Mustang without realizing that Carroll Shelby owned the rights to that name. A lawsuit resulted which remained in the courts for the better part of five years. Bad blood had mixed with testosterone and petrol, and it was the automotive community that ultimately suffered and paid the price. Even if Shelby had wanted to develop a Mustang of his own, this would not have been possible.

Ken Eber and Rick Kopec, the directors of the SAAC looked into creating a high-performance version of the Mustang on their own. At the time, Saleen and Steeda were marketing special versions, and Ford's SVO was producing performance parts and components that could be combined to produce a suitable Shelby-alternative. One of the SAAC members, Dave Wagner, was a mid-level contact at Ford's Power Products Operations and supplied engines and powertrains to outside manufacturers for special applications.

The idea was to build a performance car that was in a similar vein to the original GT350 concept and was capable of zero-to-sixty mph in under six seconds. The quarter-mile was to be run in the 14-second range and its top speed was to exceed 150 mph. Handling and braking were to have similar performance attributes, and they would have to pass the stringent EPA certification and meet Ford OEM standards.

The exterior was Mustang GT, with a modified front lower valence, and LX rear spoiler and taillights. The driving lights were removed and replaced with brake cooling ducts to help direct air to the front brake calipers. Special fiberglass panels were installed ahead of the wheels, at the lower edge of the fender. Twin wide blue LeMans stripes and side stripes (designed by Kopec) were specially made by 3M, the original supplier to Shelby American.

The engine was the 302 CID V8s with SVO GT40 heads, a GT40 upper and lower intake, 65mm throttle bodies, and under-drive pulleys. Larger diameter, ceramic-coated headers, and 2.25' stainless steel exhaust with low-restriction Borla mufflers were also used. A heavy-duty Ford Motorsport clutch disc and pressure plate replaced the standard pieces. Unique 'SAAC' snake cast aluminum finned valve covers (closely resembling the original 'COBRA powered by Ford' GT350 valve covers) were designed by Kopec and manufactured along with a matching finned aluminum plate for the top of the intake.

The engine was backed by a five-speed manual with a Hurst short-throw shifter. The suspension was lowered and used Koni shocks, struts, higher-rate springs, and a specially designed engine compartment export brace. A 3.27 Traction-Lock rear was used, and all cars had four-point roll bars described as an 'interior chassis stiffening brace.'

The interiors were finished in black leather with extra padding in the door panels and seat bolsters. Each seat and door panel received a Kopec designs 'SAAC' embroidery. White and blue leather stripes were incorporated into the upholstery of each seat. A dashboard plaque was mounted on the passenger side of the dash carrying the car's production number. A similar plate under the hood, on the firewall, also carried the car's production date.

A prototype was built followed by one example that was supplied for federal certification. Since a 50,000-mile durability test was expensive, the SAAC reached an agreement with Ford's SVO (Special Vehicles Operations) whereby SAAC would provide a car and SVO would provide the engine which would become the standard SAAC MK I power plant. A 302 short block was chosen with all of the other parts sourced directly from the SVO catalog. SVO would fund the testing through its budget and after certification, they would offer the completely certified engine in their aftermarket catalog. This certification set the SAAC Car Company apart from the other Mustang 'tuners' like Saleen and Steeda, which offered cars modified using an array of exterior, brake and suspension pieces but could not offer a non-stock engine as part of their package.

Due to the federal certification, the SAAC Car Company was recognized as an actual manufacturer and thus made up the fourth U.S. automobile manufacturer for 1992 (General Motors, Ford, Chrysler, and the SAAC Car Company).

Three prototype SAAC MK Is were built in time for them to be shown at SAAC's 16th annual convention, in June of 1991. They wanted to have three cars built because anyone can build one car and call it a prototype. Three cars were a good indication that they were production cars. At the convention, orders were placed and deposits received. Production began immediately with each example being hand-built. A total of 30 MK I models were completed by October of 1992, having a base price of $39,995.

The first three production cars made were #s 001, 002, and 004 (no #003 was ever built) and they were the only ones fitted with Vortec superchargers. A total of 65 SAAC cars were built.

The positive response by the Mustang community caught the attention of Ford, who came out with the Cobra in 1993 which ultimately ended the production of the SAAC Mustang.

By Daniel Vaughan | Aug 2020

Sold for $11,000 at 2020 Fall Carlisle Auction.
This 1992 Ford Mustang LX Convertible is a limited edition 'Sumer Edition' finished in vibrant red with white leather interior with black piping. It is one of 750 examples with a 5-speed transmission. Currently, it has 53,000 miles on the odometer.
By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2020