Given my recent crack about backwards-ballcap-types driving Fox-body Mustangs, I figured the proper act of contrition would be to feature one. After all, there has to be something good in a car if it has such massive appeal. I also have to admit there’s something fun which I’ve never explored in having a common classic, for which there are a plethora of aftermarket parts to create your own version. And hey, I’ve never owned a V8-powered car – some people would say I haven’t really lived yet.
As I was looking through Mustangs, I found the best deals were available on the earlier cars. You might assume this is because in the early 1980s, the new smog rules and the recent fuel crisis were still having pretty serious impacts on cars’ power outputs. However, by 1982, Ford had already reinstated the 302 ci V8 in the Mustang, producing 157hp (competitive with, say, an Alfa GTV6). Using the aforementioned aftermarket parts, or simply upgrades from later models, you shouldn’t have a hard time going beyond this if you want. And you get to have the clean, square simplicity of the earlier Fox-body cars, before the redesign made it look like a microwaved stick of butter. Find today’s car in Omaha, NE for $3500.
Pretty clean and unmolested, just the way I’d want it, and in a nice, restrained dark red. You don’t want to know how many cars with half-baked spoilers, late-model bumpers, primer, etc. I had to go through before finding this one. That said, it’d look pretty cool on some period 80s wheels… I’m curious why the seller says the Pony wheels currently on it are rare, those used to be on most GTs and some 5.0 LXs in the early 90s.
Check out that deep, vertical 1980s air dam. With the fog lights and all the other square shape, it really captures some of the design themes of its era. The shutlines look straight, and paint looks really clean for this price range. Check out the big scoop / powerdome – is it functional? If you picture this in the context of other cars of its time, they really did a pretty good job of integrating the 5mph bumpers into the design of the car.
Remember when you could get a fastback *or* a notchback Mustang? I wonder what went into the decision to discontinue the notchback (or, for that matter, why they decided to have a choice between the two). Notice the stickers in the window and the dual straight pipes – has the boy-racer fever already taken hold? I’d try to find something more subtle, with the same good sound, that looks cleaner on this car.
Finally, if you prefer lower-mileage, or the later Fox-body styling, or a convertible, check out this cocaine-white 1988 convertible with only 47,700 miles on it, for the same price, in Sarasota, FL.
Rusty But Trusty 
March 20, 2010 at 8:14 pm |
Ha Ha. I had a 79 Capri Turbo for a while… Similar body. chicks didn’t dig it. Red with red interior.
Matt