1979 Ford Mustang

Ford built the third generation of the Mustang from 1979 through 1993. It was based on the larger Fox platform with a chassis from the Fairmont. The wheelbase of the 1978 Mustang measured 96.2 inches while the 1979 version measured 100.4 inches resulting in greater interior space, especially in the back seat, along with a larger engine bay and increased trunk capacity. Body styles included a notchback coupe and a hatchback.

The drivetrain and engines were carried over from the Mustang II with the base unit being an overhead cam, inline four-cylinder engine displacing 140 CID, and offering 88 horsepower at 4,800 RPM. A turbocharged version increased power to 140 bhp, giving it similar output to the V8 but with better fuel economy. Zero-to-sixty mph was slightly quicker with the turbo than the V8. An optional German-built overhead-valve V6 displaced 170.8 CID and offered 109 horsepower at 4,800 RPM and 142 foot-pounds of torque. The 302 CID V8 had 140 horsepower at 3,600 RPM. A four-speed manual transmission with floor shift controls was standard on the four-cylinder engines. A SelectShift three-speed automatic was optional. V8 models could be equipped with a new four-speed manual overdrive transmission. 9.3-inch manual disc brakes were in the front while 9-inch drums were at the rear. Steering was handled by a rack-and-pinion setup. The four-cylinder-equipped cars had an 11.5-gallon fuel tank while larger engines used a 12.5-gallon tank. The front suspension used a hydraulic shock struct instead of the conventional upper arm. In the back was a new four-bar link and coil suspension system, replacing the old leaf-spring Hockiss design.

Despite the 20-percent growth in passenger space and an increase of four inches in length, the Mustang dropped 200 pounds thanks (in part) to the use of plastic and aluminum components. The 3rd Generation Mustang would have two different front end styling (1979 to 1986 and 1987 to 1993). The first version was angled back with four rectangular headlights, gaining the nickname 'Four Eyes.' Ford restyled the front end in 1987 with contemporary, rounded-off 'aero' style similar to the design of the Ford Taurus, with flush-composite headlamps and a grille-less front end.

The styling was courtesy of a team of designers led by Jack Telnack of the Light Truck and Car Design Group. Its styling was a combination of American and European influences and its drag coefficient of 0.44 for the fastback was the best the company had ever achieved.

The black crosshatch grille no longer had a Musang badge but rather the 'Ford' lettering at the driver's side. A round tri-color Mustang emblem was located on the hood, above the grille. Flanked on either side of the grille were rectangular headlamps replacing the former single round units. Amber parking/signal lamps were mounted in the bumper directly below the headlamps. Mounted below the grille and bumper was an air scoop with five holes. Cars equipped with the V6 engine had a '2.8' badge located on the front fenders, behind the front wheel but ahead of the door. Cars with the V8 had a '5.0' badge in the same location. Full wheel covers were standard. Fastback body styles had black rocker panel moldings, semi-styled wheels with black sport hub covers, trim rings, and full wraparound body side moldings with dual accent stripe insert.

The interiors featured bucket seats, simulated woodgrain instrument panel applique, and full instrumentation including a trip odometer, fuel gauges, temperature, oil pressure, and alternator. There was a squeeze-open lockable glovebox, lighter, day/night mirror, black remote driver's mirror, and vinyl door trim with a carpeted lower panel.

Ghia Mustangs had body-color window frames, turbine-style wheel covers, pinstripes, dual remote-control mirrors, and bodyside molding inserts. 'Ghia' badges were located on the low-back bucket seats with European-type headrests, and on the decklid or hatch.

The Cobra package came standard with the 2.3-liter turbocharged four with a turbo hood scoop with 'Turbo' nameplate, forged aluminum wheels, TRX tires, and an upgraded suspension. The 302 CID V8 could be exchanged for the four. Body modifications included black bumper rub stripes with dual color-keyed inserts, dual sport mirrors, and color-keyed quarter louvers and grille.

On May 27th of 1979, a Ford Mustang paced the 63rd annual Indianapolis 500-mile race. It wore a special Pewter color on the upper body and flat black hood scoop area, grille, and entire lower portion of the body. Special front air dam and rear spoiler enhance the car's stability at high speeds. Inside were unique Recaro Bucket seats trimmed in black cloth and vinyl, with cloth inserts in a black and white checked pattern only available in pace car editions. In the back, the seats were reupholstered to create a bucket seat appearance matching the front seat treatment. There were deluxe seat belts, console, and unique instrument panel badge. Another unique feature was the leather-wrapped sport steering wheel. They were equipped with a 302 CID engine with automatic transmission, power brakes, power steering, air conditioning, and an AM/FM stereo 8-track. This special body-appearance package was adopted by the Cobra package for the 1980 and 1981 model year. (The Cobra was replaced by the Mustang GT in 1982, and a convertible body style was introduced for 1983 after a nine-year absence. A high-performance Mustang SVO followed a year later.)

Ford built approximately 6,000 examples of the Indy Pace Car Replicas. 156,666 examples were Notchbacks and 120,535 were Hatchbacks. An additional 56,351 were Ghia Notchbacks and 36,384 were Ghia Hatchbacks. The total model year production for 1979 was 369,936 units. 332,024 were marketed to the U.S. with 181,066 with four-cylinder engines including 29,242 with turbochargers. 103,390 were equipped with V6 engines while 47,568 had V8s. The strong sales helped the Mustang go from number 22 to number 7 in total market sales and accounted for approximately 20% of the vehicles produced by Ford that year.

by Daniel Vaughan | Aug 2020