Curbside Find: 1979 Mustang With 2.8 V6 Engine – Baby Blue Unicorn

Photos from the Cohort by Slant Six.

I would assume that today’s find is basically a unicorn by now: a 2.8L-equipped early third-gen ‘Stang. The only year the Cologne V6 was offered in the new Fox-body platform, after being part of the Mustang II repertoire since ’74 during those energy-challenged 1970s.  And from the looks of things, the old 2.8L still apparently powers this baby blue ‘Stang that seems straight out of the Ford showroom.

Like many other Mustangs, the clean and radically new 1979 Fox body generation has provided much to talk about since it first appeared. That said, two things can be stated about it with utter certainty. First, it embraced the upcoming 1980s in a way that was unthinkable a few years prior, especially for a Ford. Then, it’s the only Mustang that freed itself from any stylistic links to its vaunted 1964 origin. No first-gen-like side scoops or other references anywhere on its body.

The end of the 1970s was a rather challenging time for about-to-go-broke Ford. There’s nothing like a reckoning to embrace a new self, and the 1979 Mustang reflects that period of reinvention perfectly. The model’s clean origami styling was very au courant, in keeping with the guidance of stylist Jack Telnack (who had just served as VP of Design in Ford of Europe).

However, for some the rational aerodynamic language of these early Fox-body ‘Stangs was not expressive enough, particularly when seen in hindsight. Still, the cars responded to the spirit of the times and sold like hotcakes.

Unlike the usually hot-rodded variety, what we got here is none other than a nice commuter ‘Stang. Not carrying the lowly Lima engine, nor refurbished with a boisterous Small Block. Instead, a nicely optioned one with clean and tastefully sorted aesthetics; in late-70s idiom of course.

So while horsepower is not its mettle, it’s the kind of remnant that speaks of the Mustang’s sweeping allure. From intimidating Pony to disguised fuel saver, to stylish daily commuter.

As usual, the Fox bodies came in many tasty combos, a Mustang specialty (about those, links below). And on those combo options for early ’79 the 2.8L V6 Cologne was found, the mill presumably powering today’s find.

That upgraded 2.8 60-degree V6 had made its first appearance in ’74 on the Capri. At the time, while not commended for its power –cold numbers didn’t improve much over the 2.0 4-cyl.– it did get kudos for improving the car’s driveability by a good factor. It soon found its way into the Mustang II (and other US Fords) and would remain in the model’s repertoire until 1979, the only year it would be available on the Fox body. Its removal from the US lineup the result of unexpected higher demand of the mill by Ford of Europe.

So, while not necessarily the most desirable of combos nowadays, this 2.8 is gotta be a rare one… I mean, what’s the likely survival rate of a setup like this 45 years later?

In keeping with the rest of this ‘Stang’s demeanor, shifting is by the 3-speed automatic. And the interior in this 2.8 looks as well preserved as the exterior.

Once again, the sunroof shows this was a well-optioned car. And the painted seal rubber around the hatchback gate shows the car’s shiny paint is the result of a respray.

Period correct alloy-looking wheel covers, along those whitewalls, do give this ‘Stang that full late-70s stylish look. In a Charlie’s Angels sort of way.

That clean sloping rear is the car’s most delicate piece of styling. Perhaps the reason just about ninety percent of Mustangs from the 1980s carried spoilers?

So were these too dainty for you? Or did they provide the usual ideal mix of Mustang allure? I do know they have a bit of a mixed legacy (Those ’80s looks!). But as a close friend of mine who loves anything Mustang related said: “Without the Fox Body ‘Stangs, there might not be a Mustang today”. Of course, he owns a ’84, so he’s not necessarily unbiased. But that ’84 has certainly given him gobs of high-horsepower fun at discount prices.

 

Related CC reading:

Curbside Classic: 1979 Ford Mustang – A Fresh Start

Curbside Classic: 1979-1982 Ford Mustang – A Clean Break