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-70 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 1.6 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:
Wow what a find! I think the 2.8 V6 Mustang was probably the sweet spot between the less than stellar 2.3L turbo and the then flaccid 5.0L that was available at the time. The powder blue paint is a reminder of choices we no longer seem to have and I frankly miss the athletic styling of these four-eyed Fox body Mustangs.
As an aside, those are not alloy wheels. Those are wheel covers that were used on practically every Fox body from the Fairmont’s debut in 1977 to roughly about 1983.
Thanks for that detail about the wheel covers. It’s updated now.
Strangely, my 1990 model had those type of wheel covers. They really didn’t mesh with the facelifted design. Almost as bad an anachronism as the Pinto 4.
I saw the car again a few days ago near the antique shop in town. My guess is it belongs to a local that consigns a booth at the antique store. It is refreshing to find a fox like this that has not been hacked and made into a drag racer with an LS engine!
Outstanding find, and photos, Slant Six. A genuine timepiece, that fully harkens back to memories of 1979, and the introduction of the Fox Mustang. The colour is so reflection of the early Fox Mustang. Interesting, that body coloured mirrors were an option. A sign of the times.
A strong memory of the early Fox Mustangs, was the prominence of the notchback version, in Ford marketing. They were given equal status to the hatchback, on many dealer lots, I recall. I liked the Mercedes association in its appearance. Came across much better, than the tacky Granada.
Unless equipped with the TRX wheels, I never felt these first Fox Mustangs looked expensive. I felt most looked plainly cheap, with the popular base styled steel wheels, and black plastic centres. These turbine wheel covers, already popular on the Fairmont, also looked economy, and inexpensive. And mass produced. And that grille looked plasticky. A small detail, but that white double pinstripe embedded within the black plastic bodyside molding, really helped give these Mustangs a greater sense of luxury. They would have lacked otherwise.
Though the Fairmont and Fox Mustang enjoyed strong sales, I felt they generally did not look substantial. I was indifferent to their styling. Many (most?), exuded cheapness to me then.
As a teen, seeing rows of Fairmonts and Fox Mustangs on dealer lots equipped with these low budget-looking wheels, was a significant turnoff then. Aided in this devaluing of their looks, by their power blue, bright tan, or yellow paint jobs. lol
I would happily drive this exact car, wheels and all. <3
Joe, so would I.
This car brings up a styling theme that I miss, which are the styled steel wheels. Several of my old cars had them, including the Super Stock wheels on my 1972 442. The most recent example I can think of styled steel wheels are the ones on 4th gen Camaro. It was a nice reminder back to the days that it seemed that every Camaro had styled steel wheels.
I was delighted/relieved then, when Ford started to look heavily to Ford of Europe for the basis of their future styling themes. For everything from dashboards, to sheet metal, and wheels/wheel covers.
At the time, I used to think nobody could make a small car dashboard, or wheels, look as cheap as Ford. Plus, still have cars like the LTD II, Pinto, and Granada, floating around prominently.
Ford exuded solid Jekyll and Hyde vibes for me then. 🙂
Swoon. I am in love. There was a whole stretch of time for me maybe thirty years ago when I remember poking fun at look and vibe of the early Foxes as looking too much like a generic compact car (by the standards of the ’90s).
Within the past several years, my pendulum has swung fully over to really appreciating the aesthetics of the 1979 – ’82 models as looking fresh and tastefully restrained. Some combinations of wheels / colors / etc. make some more obviously appealing than others and it’s a shame those beautiful TRX wheels had to be metric and cost prohibitive to find tires for today, but I’d love a ’79 Ghia. Make mine either a hatchback or notchback in chamois.
My 1:18 scale ’79 Mustang die cast model is one of my favorite acquisitions from 2023. And yes, it’s from Charlie’s Angels.
Oh yes, that’s rare. One of the very interesting things about the 1979 Mustang is that (I think) it’s quite unusual for a manufacturer to offer BOTH a straight six AND a V-6 in the same car in the same year. I can think of several cars that offered an inline or vee 6 over the course of a model run, but not in the same year.
I guess Ford wasn’t yet ready to give up on that old “Falcon Six” quite yet!
Rich, you note that the 2.8 didn’t provide much of a power increase over the 1.6 four cylinder in the Capri. By 1974 when the 2.8 was first offered in the US, the approximately 65 (net) HP 1600 Kent had been dropped in favor the ~90 HP 2300 “Pinto” overhead cam engine. The V6 had 105 HP which was quite a bit more, but as you say not a huge increase. However compared to the 1600, the V6 had a lot more power both on paper and on the road.
Did those Mustang wheels actually have removable wheel covers, or were those Polycast wheels, a brief trend where the outer decorative plastic was molded onto the steel rim underneath?