The Fox-Bodies

'79
The Fox-body Mustang based on the Fairmont intermediate-sized platform was introduced with MacPherson-struts in front and a live rear axle. Although larger than the Mustang II it weighed less.  Ford offered two performance options—a 302 2bbl and a turbocharged 2.3L four cylinder.

'80-'81
For fuel economy reasons the V8 was de-bored to 4.2L and only an auto tranny was available because of emission and fuel economy problems.  HP and torque dropped significantly from '79.   Only 5,000 V8 Mustangs were sold in '81.

'82
The 5.0L was back for 4-speed cars only.  The GT model returned for the first time since 1969.   The GT had a more sporting suspension setup and a 3.08:1 rear axle.  The return of the 5.0L was thought by Ford to be a temporary measure. The performance engine of the future was to be the fuel-injected turbocharged four cylinder.
Base price for a GT was $8400.

'83
Available late in the year the Turbo GT 2.3L four cylinder with EFI had 145 HP. The V8 came with a 4 bbl carb, better cam, and better breathing.  The Borg-Warner T5 five-speed introduced.  Tire size went from 185/75R14 on the '82 to 205/70R14.

'84
A quad-shock rear suspension replaced the traction bars mid-year. Variable rate springs and gas shocks were introduced.  Last year for the GT turbo four cylinder.

An SVO model was introduced with a 175 HP turbo four with throttle body fuel injection.  It had Koni shocks, larger anti-sway bars, four-wheel disc brakes, 16-inch wheels, a Hurst shifter and Recaro seats.   When Road & Track first reviewed the SVO in '83 they said, "This may be the best all-around car for the enthusiast ever produced by the U.S. industry."

'85
Roller lifters, new camshaft and a freer breathing exhaust with tubular headers were introduced.   The last year for the carburetor.  The 5-speed got tall 2.73:1 gears, but first gear was lower.

The SVO increased to 205 HP.

'86
EFI with speed density air intake, dual exhaust, but more restrictive heads.  The 7.5-inch rear end was replaced by the sturdier 8.8 inch. The compression ratio went up from 8.4 to 9.2:1.   Horsepower was down in ’86 compared to ’85, but torque increased.

Last year for the SVO.   A total of 10,000 were produced between '84 and '86.

'87
The restrictive heads were replaced and a bigger throttle body was added along with cam, intake and exhaust manifold changes to increase HP by 25. An air silencer was placed upstream from the filter at the cost of a couple HP.  Compression ratio was 9.0:1. Bigger front disc brakes.   Wheels were 15 x 7 inches. The car was about 180 inches long, an inch shorter than the original Mustang. Base price for a GT was $11,300.

'88
In California the Speed Density intake was replaced by the "smarter" Mass Air metering. This improved drivability, emissions, and fuel economy, but with a slight drop in HP. Mass Air has better flexibility for moderate to large HP upgrades because the computer can adjust to modifications.

'89-'90
Mass Air for all 5.0’s. A minor cam change to quiet the valve train cost a couple of HP.

'91-'92
16 x 7 inch wheels introduced in '91. Generally, the '89 through '92's are considered the best for adding engine modifications.   The combination of stronger block, MAF, better heads and forged pistons (pre-'85's and the'93's had cast pistons) make these easier to modify and more reliable

'93
The last of the Fox-bodied Mustangs. The published HP was now 205 though there was no specific change causing the drop, just an accumulation of changes from previous years and Ford decided to publish "honest" numbers. The GT-40 equipped Cobra was conservatively rated at 235 HP.   A very limited edition Cobra R  of 107 cars deleted A/C, the stereo and the back seat and added better brakes and a stiffer suspension. Base price for a '93 GT was $15050.

1979	OPEC uses the Iranian Hostage Crisis to raise oil prices.
	Calif. institutes odd-even gas rationing based on the last digit of your license plate.
	U.S approves massive bail-out of Chrysler
	US Steel closes 15 plants
	Almost 1 out of every 4 cars sold in U.S. was Japanese
1980	Average new car has a top speed of 115 MPH & gets 14 MPG
1981	Gas prices peaked at $1.35 per gallon, or about $2.30 in today's dollars. Prices fell after that until 1988 where they leveled off near current prices.
1982	Unemployment tops out at 11%. The worse since the '30s.
1983	US Steel closes all or part of 29 mills. The largest manufacturing shut-down in American history.
	Ford and GM fail to meet the mandated CAFE standards.
1986	For the first time since 1926 Ford's earnings were higher than GM's.
1987	Ford has record profits of $4.6 billion
	Ford is heavily criticized when it's learned they plan on replacing the Mustang with a Japanese-derived FWD.  Ford recants, keeps the Mustang and renames the new car the Probe.
1990	Ford buys Jaguar
	375 HP ZR1 Corvette introduced
	Average new car has a top speed of 120 MPH & gets 20 MPG
1992	400 HP Dodge Viper introduced