A look back at the Eighties as the Ford Mustang turns 45

[TomServo92]

Link

[FordBuyer]

Link

 

I still remember with fondness my 1983 Mustang GLX Convertible that was black on black with red pinstripes, 5.0 V8 with Holley 4 barrel carb, 5 speed manual, and every option available that year. It had sticker of $15,000 which was very expensive for 1983 time, and I sold it privately in 2000 for $3,500. Great vehicle. Not as quick as a 1991 Mustang LX Notchback with 5.0, but quick enough.

[TomServo92]

I still remember with fondness my 1983 Mustang GLX Convertible that was black on black with red pinstripes, 5.0 V8 with Holley 4 barrel carb, 5 speed manual, and every option available that year. It had sticker of $15,000 which was very expensive for 1983 time, and I sold it privately in 2000 for $3,500. Great vehicle. Not as quick as a 1991 Mustang LX Notchback with 5.0, but quick enough.

 

I've owned two Fox bodies:

 

1985 LX 5.0 notch - Red on gray (traded it for a Ranger pickup to save on insurance)

 

1992 LX 5.0 hatch - White on red (traded it for a '95 Taurus SHO).

 

They weren't exactly sophisticated but they were a blast to drive!

Edited April 5, 2009 by TomServo92

[FordBuyer]

I've owned two Fox bodies:

 

1985 LX 5.0 notch - Red on gray (traded it for a Ranger pickup to save on insurance)

 

1992 LX 5.0 hatch - White on red (traded it for a '95 Tausus SHO).

 

They weren't exactly sophisticated but they were a blast to drive!

 

Yeah, my girl friend at the time had a 1991 Mustang LX Notchback with 5.0 and 5 speed manual, and she let me drive it, and it was lightening quick since it weighed easily 300 pounds less than Mustang Convertible and had at least 25 more hp. The beast really needed slicks in back to put more tractive effort to rear wheels under had acceleration. That Mustang made great sounds too and always loved that delightful burble only the 5.0's made. Ad I remember, the Notches at that time weighed in at about 2,900 pounds.

[Sixt9coug]

not a whole lot more sexy in the 80s auto world than a Fox Notch with a 5.0L and a 5spd.

[Pioneer]

I had an '89 GT 5spd with T-tops.

 

Was nice and fast, but man did the wind howl through the window and t-top seals when really moving.

Edited April 5, 2009 by Pioneer

[86lxjunker]

I have had a few and won a ton of trophies with them along the way.

 

My first was 82 GT - that was mint and evolved into my first Drag Car.....won a bunch of events with this car over the years....finnally sold it as a rolling chasis after I blew up the bottom end.

 

My next was 95 GT Convertible - Loved that car - it was a real looker - It was actually won by an old lady at Mohegan Sun casino - she obviously didnt want it - so a local firefighter bought it. He drove it for 2 years and I picked it up with low miles. It was different red - I cant remember the code - but it was very bright and a little 'orangy' - sold it right after I got married.....- didnt need the 'looker' car anymore

 

Next is one that I currently still own - my Black 86 Notchback - that is my current drag car - this car is set up as factory stock specs and runs really hard with whats done to it.......I have plenty of trophies from this one - but not as many as my 82 GT.

 

And my 'newest' one that is also still in the stable is a White 88GT that I picked up as a VERY clean rolling chasis - I basiscally restored this car back to original - with obvious upgrades to everything that ford should have done along the way. This was going to be my daily driver - but it turned out way to nice - so now it will be my Friday car to work only on nice days.

 

I love the Fox Mustangs - but have recently been eyeing the new '10 Mustangs - I would buy one - but I need a new daily driver and Mustangs dont go too well in New England winters.

[Mustang_Marty]

I've had several Foxes over the years, starting with the 79 5.0 that I had in high school back in 1981. Since then I've had a '84 SVO, '84 5.0 SSP notch, 85 ASC/McLaren convertible, and a 79 2.3t coupe... the last two I currently own. I am on the look out for a 80/81 Cobra and a 85.5/86 SVO, once I get some room.

[F250]

I still have my '82 Mustang GT in the garage. Ford was just getting back into performance in 1982 since they pulled out in '71 and all of us Ford fans couldn't wait. Back then it was called Ford Motorsport (not Racing) and I still have some valve covers, air cleaners and intakes with "Ford Motorsport" logos including the 140 MPH speedometer in the Mustang that was an exact replacement for the original goverment mandated 85 MPH part.

Edited April 7, 2009 by F250

[Anthony]

I had 5 Foxes ranging from a '79 Turbo to an '88 5.0L Notch. Loved them all. They may be the least "Mustang" of all the Mustangs (well, maybe the II takes that prize) but I still think they will always be my favorite.

Edited April 7, 2009 by Intrepidatious

[Project-Fairmont]

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Ordered an '88 GT, sunroof, premium audio, power group, Crystal Blue with Titanium and AOD, 3.27 gears (my wifes daily driver) $15k. Ran 14.7 @ 93 mph - off-road exhaust. Sold it to buy first home in 1991.

 

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Sold my '85 Ninja 900R, and picked up an '83 GT, T-5 w/120k mi in 1993. Full length headers, subframe connectors, never ran it against the watch but felt faster than my '88 AOD.

 

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Bought an '89 GT Covertable in 1995, same equipement and color as my beloved '88 but had T-5. Only had 5K miles. Installed a 6-point roll cage, Eibach lowering springs, 4.10 gears, full length headers, flowmasters, and larger mass-air, TB. Ran 14.0 flat @ 99 mph. Sold it in 1998.

 

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1999 GT - ran 14.1 @ 99 MPH - off-road exhaust. Great all around car.

 

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2004 Cobra Convert - Smooth performance but too heavy, bought used with 1200 mi sold it 5 months later.

 

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1980 Fairmont, the original fox body - width the same as Mustang with T-bird WB. Specs per signature. Best "fun" car I have ever owned.

Edited April 7, 2009 by Project-Fairmont

[TomServo92]

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1980 Fairmont, the original fox body - width the same as Mustang with T-bird WB. Specs per signature. Best "fun" car I have ever owned.

 

I've always thought it would be cool to mod a Fairmont with a Fox Mustang drivetrain. Got any pics?

[dave91gt]

I became a Mustang follower way back in 1987. I was a junior in highschool. One friend had a stock 84 GT 5 speed and another had a late 70's Trans AM with a 403 Olds motor. They sneaked out one day at lunch to see who was the fastest. The Mustang put 3 cars on it. 3 times. I was hooked. I have had 6 Mustangs with my 91 GT being my favorite and keeper. Those cars(Foxes) were never the best quality, but back in their day, they were the best value. Right after I bought my 91, I was heading back home from my parents house when I hit a particularly long straight stretch on the interstate. I was cruising along at 70 mph, stereo blasting, loafing in fifth gear. Then it happened. A same era Formula 350 passed me. Go time. With 3.08 gears, it was a top ender for sure. I dropped it into third, then fourth (caught him at this point) wound fourth out and shifted into fifth after I passed him. I started hearing a lot of wind noise and looked at the speedo. It was just going past 140! Not good for those cars. I had another buddy that switched to the dark side by buying a 96 LT1 Firebird 6 speed. He retuned the computer, added a Moroso cold air kit and a Flowmaster exhaust in the intent of wiping the old Fox in the eighth mile. I thought I was toast as I only had 3.55's and exhaust at this point. I beat him by a car length every time. In the quarter, I am sure he would have creeped past. But not in the eighth. He eventually sold it and went back to a Fox.

Sorry for the long winded post, but those that know Mustangs know the Fox Mustangs really started an iconic following. At least they did with me.

[6t5frlane]

Around Holloween 1983 I purchased one of the first 84 Model GT's. The only difference between the 83 and the 84 was mine had a flat hood. Two months later all 84's came with quad shock rear, different spoliers. I still have her. I unburied her last Sunday took her out, wash, wax. oil change and out for a spin. Has 30,000 miles. I did several " hop up's " in the 80's ( 8.8 rear 373 gears, shorty headers, underdive pulleys, Edelbrock performer MSD ignition. SVO off road exhaust. Kept all the original parts. This was a 5.0 175 HP engine. Car ran 13.70's. Kids, a house, work sent her to the rear of the garage. Almost sold her many times but never did. The paint has worn in several spots ( car covers ) but overall still good. NO rust or major dents. One thing did show up. When cleaning the car I noticed the roof behind the T Tops was lose. You could push it down. I'm guessing old age and a launch or two did this ? How do you fix it ?? Looks like the weatherstrip around the T Tops has worn also. Glad I never sold her !!

[GT40 2]

Im currently an owner of a sluggish black 89 notchback with a 2.3L and a 5 speed.

Edited April 7, 2009 by GT40 2

[Edstock]

Im currently an owner of a sluggish black 89 notchback with a 2.3L and a 5 speed.

An engine builder by name of Tom Morana did a 3.8 V-6 swap. Duals, used 4bbl, new intake, re-ground cam and minor head-work. Unbelievably quick for not a lot of money. He replaced the rad with a bigger one, and it was interesting to see how long the top rad hose was to the engine block. Tom felt that the 351 he also tried was not appreciably quicker, FWIW.

[F250]

Around Holloween 1983 I purchased one of the first 84 Model GT's. The only difference between the 83 and the 84 was mine had a flat hood. Two months later all 84's came with quad shock rear, different spoliers. I still have her. I unburied her last Sunday took her out, wash, wax. oil change and out for a spin. Has 30,000 miles. I did several " hop up's " in the 80's ( 8.8 rear 373 gears, shorty headers, underdive pulleys, Edelbrock performer MSD ignition. SVO off road exhaust. Kept all the original parts. This was a 5.0 175 HP engine. Car ran 13.70's. Kids, a house, work sent her to the rear of the garage. Almost sold her many times but never did. The paint has worn in several spots ( car covers ) but overall still good. NO rust or major dents. One thing did show up. When cleaning the car I noticed the roof behind the T Tops was lose. You could push it down. I'm guessing old age and a launch or two did this ? How do you fix it ?? Looks like the weatherstrip around the T Tops has worn also. Glad I never sold her !!

 

Yea, mine has the 8.8 3:73 rear axle too, bought it from Ford Motorsport and added the Koni quad shock kit since the MS axle came with the shock brackets already welded on. The original equipment 7.5 3:08 traction-lock axles with adjustable traction bars broke easily even on street tires. I don't have T-tops or sunroof and still had to add the police package floor pan reinforcement kit and sub-frame connectors to reduce flex.

 

And we can't forget the weird TRX suspension package with those forged 390mm wheels than fit only the Michelin TRX tires!

[Edstock]

Wow. Do they still make TRX tires? Or is it a NOS quest if you're doing a resto?

Edited April 8, 2009 by Edstock

[F250]

Wow. Do they still make TRX tires? Or is it a NOS quest if you're doing a resto?

 

Don't know, I put the 15x7 10-hole aluminum Mustang GT wheels on as soon as they came out in 1985.

Though the TRX was an outstanding handling tire/suspension combination when it was introduced in 1979.

[Mark B. Morrow]

Wow. Do they still make TRX tires? Or is it a NOS quest if you're doing a resto?

 

 

Coker Tire still makes the TRX

[soupy]

New 87' GT 5spd, loved the way that lil red car looked ,sounded and ran! Express service and was young and dumb and let her run!

Been driving 150's since 1990 when my license got reinstated. The great state of Michigan proved to me it was a privledge not a God given right.

[6t5frlane]

Yea, mine has the 8.8 3:73 rear axle too, bought it from Ford Motorsport and added the Koni quad shock kit since the MS axle came with the shock brackets already welded on. The original equipment 7.5 3:08 traction-lock axles with adjustable traction bars broke easily even on street tires. I don't have T-tops or sunroof and still had to add the police package floor pan reinforcement kit and sub-frame connectors to reduce flex.

 

And we can't forget the weird TRX suspension package with those forged 390mm wheels than fit only the Michelin TRX tires!

 

Yeah I too forgot too mention that I also put sub-frame connectors on her along with Lakewood Traction Bars..I also put Cragar Pro Tech wheels on her 15x7, but still have the TRX. I know Coker makes them but I think that they are very pricey. The original 7.5 is sitting in the garage. I also changed the T-5 to a world class with a low first gear.