1979 Ford Mustang

  1979 Ford Mustang

  Any car that stays in production through 15 model years has to be counted as a success. But when the all-new 1979 Mustang (no "II" and no "III") was introduced, few would have predicted such a long life for it. Or that it would inspire a passionate following of amazing breadth. Or that it would be used as a cop car.

Tossing aside the wimpy Pinto parts, the 1979 Mustang was built atop the shortened chassis of the Ford Fairmont "Fox" body that had been introduced for '78. While the Fox platform was still a unibody structure, it shared little else with previous Mustangs. The new front suspension was a modified MacPherson strut system that mounted a spring separate from the strut itself, while a new link and coil spring rear suspension held up the back of the car. This basic suspension system would remain in use on Mustangs through at least the 2003 model year.

Available as either a coupe or fastback hatchback, the new Mustang rode on a 100.4-inch wheelbase and was 179.1 inches long. That's a bit more than four inches longer in both dimensions over the Mustang II, but still shorter than the original Mustang's 108-inch wheelbase and 181.6-inch overall length. However, the '79 Mustang was significantly roomier inside than any previous Mustang thanks to a more upright-oriented cockpit and flatter doors that allowed more shoulder and hiproom.

The new Mustang's styling was angular and handsome, but hardly related to previous Mustangs. There was no running horse in the shovel nose grille which was flanked by four square headlights, the sides were devoid of the signature side scallop and the taillights were divided into six segments instead of three. With slightly different blistered fenders, a flatter grille and different taillights, Mercury sold the same car as the Capri. The '79 Mustang was at its best wearing the optional 390mm three-spoke "TRX" wheels and tires, but there was little about it that was intrinsically Mustanglike.

All three engines from the '78 Mustang II carried over to the '79 Mustang. The 2.3-liter SOHC was rated at 88 horsepower, the 2.8-liter Cologne V6 at 109 horsepower and the 4.9-liter (but called a 5.0-liter by Ford) V8 made 140 horsepower. They were joined by a turbocharged version of the four also making 140 horsepower but saddled with epic boost lag and hideously bad reliability. Late in the model year, the old 200-cubic-inch (3.3-liter) OHV straight six reappeared making 94 horsepower. Four-speed manual transmissions were standard behind all engines with a three-speed automatic optional.

The most desirable of all '79 Mustangs would turn out to be the 6,000 Indy pace car replica fastbacks, which featured a unique hood scoop, unique front air dam, unique rear spoiler, black and silver paint with orange graphics and an interior blessed with genuine Recaro front seats. The pace car was available with either turbo four or V8 power and included the TRX wheel and tire package.

With the Ghia trim back on the coupe and a "Cobra" package available on the hatchback (which had a fake hood scoop but no spoilers), the '79 Mustang was a hit. A healthy 369,936 Mustangs were built that model year.

 

PRODUCTION NUMBERS Hardtop - 156,666 Hatchback - 120,535 Hardtop Ghia - 56,351 Hatchback Ghia - 36,384 TOTAL - 369,936	VIN NUMBERS  -  9T05F100001 9 - Last digit of model year R - Assembly Plant (F=Dearborn, R=San Jose) 05 - Plate code (02=Hardtop, 03=Hatchback 04=Hardtop Ghia, 05=Hatchback Ghia) F - Engine Code 100001 - Consecutive unit number
BASE PRICES Hardtop - $4,494 Hatchback - $4,828 Hardtop Ghia - $5,064 Hatcback Ghia - $5,216	ENGINES/ENGINE CODES Y - 2.3L 2V 4cyl with 88hp W - 2.3L 2V Turbocharged 4cyl with 132hp Z - 2.8L 2V V-6 with 109hp T - 3.3L 1V 6cyl with 85hp F - 5.0L 2V V-8 with 140hp
FACTORY OPTIONS - Heavy-duty Battery - Deluxe seatbelts - Power front disc brakes - Cobra Package (Cost: $1,173) - Pin Stripes - Complete vinyl roof - AM Radio - AM/FM Radio (with 8-track and cassette optional) - Tinted glass - Rear Window Defroster - Rear Window Wiper and Washer	INTERIOR COLORS/INTERIOR TRIM CODE Black - A Wedgewood Blue - B Red - D White/Red - N White/Blue - Q Chamois - T White/Black - W White/Chamois - 2
EXTERIOR COLORS/COLOR CODE Black - 1C Metallic Silver - 1G Light Medium Blue - 3F Bright Blue - 3J Metallic Medium Grey - 1P Polar White - 9D Medium Vaquero Gold - 5W Medium Blue Glow - 3H Metallic Medium Chestnut - 5M Red Glow - 2H Bright Red - 2P Bright Yellow - 64 Light Chamois - 83 Tangerine - 85