8 Reasons Why The Fox Body Mustang is The Best Muscle Car Ever.

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Interesting read. Original article can be found here. https://dustrunnersauto.com/foxbody-mustangs/

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Over the past 5 years, the Fox Body Mustang has exploded in popularity, especially with young hot rodders. The funny thing is, most youngsters don’t even know what a Fox Body Mustang is, and you can’t blame them. The Fox Body is a hidden gem in the automotive world, so you better get one before they’re all gone. Before we jump into why you need one, let’s quickly cover what a Fox Body is.
What is a Fox Body Mustang?

A Fox Body Mustang is a Mustang produced anywhere from 1979 to 1993. It doesn’t matter if it’s a coupe, convertible, or a hatch. It also doesn’t matter what engine it has either, or transmission. As long as it’s between the ages of 1979 and 1993, it’s a Fox Body.

Why is it called a Fox Body? I know, it’s a really weird name to give to a car. But, it’s called a Fox Body because it’s on the Ford Fox platform. Ford designed the Fox platform as a unibody chassis and used it across a wide range of Ford/Lincoln/Mercury vehicles. Ford’s main objective with the Fox platform was to downsize the massive cars they made in the ’70s.
Why is it called the “Fox” platform? I am unable to find a sure reason why Ford identified this chassis as “Fox”. Some people say that it had something to do with VW’s “Rabbit” but I can’t confirm that. I assume the Fox name has something to do with how Ford downsized their vehicles. Ford’s vehicles went from being big like a cow to small and nimble like a Fox.
Now that you know what a Fox Body is, let’s talk about what makes them so awesome. Also, if you doubt my knowledge or credibility: The Story of my 1991 Fox Body Mustang (https://dustrunnersauto.com/1991-fox-body-mustang/).
8. 1980s Goodness

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Ah, the ’80s, something that the Fox Body represents strongly. Back in the day, you would see Fox Body Mustangs around every corner. Even my mother had a Fox Body back in the day, although she ended up totaling it. The day I came home in my Fox Body she was dying to take a ride in it. What other cars can bring people from completely different generations together? The only vehicle I can think that brings people together like a Fox Body can is a Jeep.
Fox Body Mustangs also represent vehicle styling from the ’80s and ’90s. The long horizontal tail lights, the factory GT body kit, the simple body lines. Look at a BMW E30 and try to tell me it doesn’t look similar to a Fox Body couple. Even the interior screams the ’80s, which is awesome because back then interiors weren’t cluttered with fancy junk. All you have is a steering wheel, pedals, gear shifter, and a basic radio.
Another great thing about ’80s cars is that you have to drive it yourself. What do I mean by this? Modern Mustangs come equipped with traction control, stability control, line lock for burnouts, and ABS. The Fox Body Mustang has none of the above, your right foot is the traction control. If you throttle mid-corner you better know how to control a drift or you’ll end up crashing. If you want to survive driving a Fox Body you’d better learn how to drive really well.
7. Camaro Killer

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Back in the ’80s and ’90s, there was always stoplight racing between the Camaro and Mustang. However, the Fox Body was almost always faster in a straight line. They both have similar power and torque, but the Fox Body’s low weight give it an advantage on the Camaro. The Fox Body weighs in around 3,000-3,200 lbs depending on the model and body. The 3rd gen Camaro weighs in around 3,300-3,400 lbs. A few hundred pounds might not sound like a huge amount but it’s a huge advantage especially when drag racing.
The Camaro had a more advanced rear suspension and braking system, which makes it stop and handle a little better. But, these are American cars, and most people never take their cars on a road course or Autocross. The Fox Body’s lack of rear pan hard bar holds it back when it comes to autocross and circuit racing. Simply adding a pan hard bar to the rear axle will greatly improve the Fox Body’s handling.

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The 3rd gen Camaro LT engine is based entirely off small-block Chevy engines before it. But, the TBI and TPI fuel injection systems aren’t very popular with tuners. For this reason, many 3rd gen Camaros are carb/aftermarket EFI swapped. When it comes to the aftermarket I would definitely say the small block Chevy is more popular. But, that’s not to say the small block Ford isn’t popular in the aftermarket.
Both the Fox Body Mustang and the 3rd gen Camaro are unbelievably fun to stoplight race. Even in their stock condition, they’re an absolute riot, but the Fox Body will almost always take the win. 3rd gen Camaros also have this weird stigma. If you drive a 3rd gen everyone thinks that either you’re a hillbilly, or have a mullet.
6. They’re Sexy as Hell! https://dustrunnersauto.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Fox-Body-Article-Alonso-Fox-Again-3.jpg
Whether you love or hate the style of the Fox Body, you’ll probably agree that it’s interesting. But, it doesn’t really resemble Mustangs of the past. Lack of “tri-bar” tail lamps and the wonky front end definitely set it apart from the typically Mustang. The Fox Body definitely has it’s design flaws, for example, the GT’s rear bumper is hideous. The GT’s bumper literally a giant square with a weird lip at the bottom. Also, the LX’s rear bumper is too short.
Like I said earlier, the Fox Body represents vehicle styling of ’80s automobiles. Many enthusiasts considered cars like the BMW E30 to be one of the best-looking cars to ever be created, and the Fox Body shares much the BMW’s ’80s styling. I think that’s partly why the Fox Body is becoming really popular with the younger generation. Just look at the Fox Body below and try to tell me it’s not a good-looking car. If you decide you need to buy a Fox Body, be sure to read our Fox Body buying guide (https://dustrunnersauto.com/foxbody-mustang-buying-guide/).
The Fox Body Mustang came in a Fastback, Coupe, and a Convertible. This was the last generation Mustang that was available in a fastback before the 2015 Mustang. In the eyes of the younger generation, the Fox is incredibly good-looking. Like I said above, this is probably due to its ’80s styling and small size compared to new Mustangs. Performance shops such as Saleen put their own twist on the body styling of the Fox Body. Arguably the best-looking body kit for the Fox Body is the Cobra style body kit.
Generally, the Notchback is more desired mostly because of its rarity, but also because it’s the lightest. The coupe is also about 100 lbs lighter making it much more popular with drag racers. I’ve always personally liked the LX hatchback more, but that’s probably just 17-year-old me remembering all the awesome times I had in my Fox Body.
5. 300 LB-FT of Torque https://dustrunnersauto.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Fox-Body-Article-Alonso-Fox-Again-8.jpg
The Fox Body Mustang isn’t exactly a sports car. In stock form, they’re known for their boat like handling and tail happy rear end. However, the Fox Body Mustang was the first car Motor Trend ever tested that pulled over 1G on a skidpad. The infamous 5.0L doesn’t make large amounts of power by today’s standards. Back in the day, however, 225 horsepower and 300 ft-lbs of torque were pretty decent.
Although 225 horsepower is pretty lackluster in today’s world, 300 lb-ft of torque isn’t. Torque is the same reason that everyone loves the Fiesta ST. All that torque means you don’t have to rev the engine way out just to go fast. The torque pushes you back into your seat even at 2k RPM which is surprisingly fun.

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Luckily, 225 horses is actually a good amount considering the Fox Body weighs in at 3,100 lbs in stock form. With a bit of weight reduction, a Fox Body can achieve a weight of under 2,900 lbs. My personal Fox Body Mustang had a pretty significant amount of weight reduction; gutted interior, A/C delete, aluminum heads, etc, and it could achieve 0-60 in about 5 seconds. That puts it on par with a 2015 Mustang. For specifics visit: Fox Body Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Mustang_(third_generation))
My personal 1991 Mustang LX
https://dustrunnersauto.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/132225_10151241393713679_1048913885_o-e1443992631235.jpg (https://dustrunnersauto.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/132225_10151241393713679_1048913885_o.jpg)
Check out: Top 5 Must Have Mods For Your Fox Body (https://dustrunnersauto.com/top-5-mods-to-do-to-your-foxbody-mustang/)
With such a light car, you can imagine how fun this car is to drive around. They’re not a role-model when it comes to handling, mostly thanks to their “live axle” rear end. The handling characteristics aren’t very fast, but they’re definitely fun. Every time I drive a Fox Body I just want to do donuts and most of the times I do.
4. Aftermarket Performance https://dustrunnersauto.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Fox-Body-Article-Alonso-Fox-Again-6.jpg
It’s a Mustang, what do you expect? The aftermarket parts are nearly endless, from engine accessories to suspension components. Factory performance parts are extremely abundant too since the Fox Body shares parts with newer Mustangs. This is because SN95 and New Edge Mustangs are on the same Fox platform as the Fox Body Mustang. So, I’m sure you can imagine how many parts are available for the Fox Body.
Ford saw an opportunity to get their foot in the aftermarket, and they created Ford Racing Performance Parts. Ford Racing makes some of the most popular parts for the Fox Body Mustang including the E303 and B303 camshafts. They also make the GT40-X aluminum cylinder heads which are actually pretty decent.
I will say that the Ford Racing engine components aren’t as good as aftermarket companies. The GT40 heads will never flow as well as a true aftermarket set of heads, and the Ford Racing cams are also heavily outdated. However, the Ford Racing components are dirt cheap compared to the normal aftermarket prices for similar parts.
One of the interchangeable parts between the Fox Body and newer Mustangs is the Cobra independent rear suspension. The Cobra IRS makes the Fox Body Mustang platform handle like a true sports car. The factory solid rear axle is known for wheel hop which can make handling unpredictable. Other Cobra parts like the steering rack are also easily interchangeable. Think about all the praise the 03-04 Cobra gets but in the 3,000 lb Fox Body chassis.


There are countless amounts of companies that produce engine components, suspension, and ascetic parts for your Fox Body. One of the biggest and best sources for Fox Body parts is a company named American Muscle. They specialize in Mustang parts and really know what they’re doing when it comes to building Mustangs.

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3. They’re like Legos https://dustrunnersauto.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Fox-Body-Article-Alonso-Fox-Again-7.jpg
What’s your dream build? Drag car? Drift car? Street cruiser? Well, you can literally do anything you want to a Fox Body since Mustangs from 1979 to 2004 are almost identical under the skin. You can plop in a built 302ci or even a larger engines like a 351w and build a drag car. Installing a Cobra IRS with some steering changes and you’ll have an awesome drift car. A mild little 302ci would make the perfect street cruiser. World famous drifter Vaughn Gittin Jr. uses a Fox Body for his “Drift Missile”, and he says “The Fox Body is the best-kept secret of drifting.”
Maybe you want a canyon carver? You can build a Fox Body Mustang like Matt Farah from The Smoking Tire. He built his Fox Body with the sole purpose of canyon carving and focused entirely on the chassis. He used fender flares to fit stupid wide tires at all 4 corners, a bunch of Cobra suspension parts and lots of chassis stiffening. His chassis first approach with a nearly stock 302 resulted in a relatively cheap car that shreds canyon roads.
Check Out: Ford Goes all Aluminum, When Will Chevy Follow? (https://dustrunnersauto.com/ford-goes-all-aluminum-will-chevy-follow/)
No matter how you modify your Fox Body, there’s information online to help you. Pretty much every modification has already be done and was well documented to help others. Plus, with all the parts you can source from the Cobra, you can keep the factory reliability.
2. Engine Swaps https://dustrunnersauto.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/CoyoteFoxBody.jpg
For some people, the 302ci small-block Ford isn’t enough. Unfortunately, it just can’t provide high horsepower and great reliability at the same time. Some might consider it blasphemy, but many people are swapping Chevy LS engines into their Fox Body Mustangs. Sure you could build a 302ci to make 350 horsepower naturally aspirated, but you could build a Chevy LS to make 500+ horsepower.
For those of you who hate the idea of a Chevy engine in a Ford, you could swap in a Coyote 5.0 engine. It’s significantly more expensive than an LS-powered Fox Body, but it’s arguably cooler. Another common swap is the 4.6L Terminator engine which can make well over 500 horsepower with simple bolt-ons. We’ve even seen things like a 4G63 Mitsubishi 4-cylinder swapped into Fox Body Mustangs.
1. It’s a Classic https://dustrunnersauto.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Fox-Body-Article-Alonso-Fox-Again-5.jpg
The Fox Body is now wandering into the 25+ year-old range depending on what year you own. This means it’s starting to become a “classic”, and when that happens prices go up. CNN Money even mentioned the Fox Body Mustang in their “Top Ten Investment Cars under $5,000 (http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2010/autos/1002/gallery.cheap_collector_cars/index.html)“. On top of it becoming a classic, it’s also facing a similar issue to the 240sx’s “Drift Tax”. Young hot-rodders are scooping up Fox Body Mustangs left and right, causing the prices to go up even more.
Seriously, hop on Craigslist and try to find a nice Fox Body for less than $2,000. It’s almost impossible to find a rust free Fox Body that’s been taken care of. Young hot-rodders and collectors aren’t the only ones driving up the price. Enthusiast drivers are also picking these up for their next project, and I don’t blame them. Who wouldn’t want a Fox Body as a project car? It’s light, fast, and cheap (for now).
Think of the Fox Body like a stock market. If you invest in one today, it’ll be worth way more 10 years from now. Unfortunately, the prices are already rising. Just 5 years ago they could easily be had for a $2k – $3k, and now they’re $5,000+.
Is a Fox Body Mustang For You? Ask yourself, have you ever wanted to go do donuts and street racing just for the thrill? Have you ever been jealous of that one old guy in your neighborhood who owns a classic car? Do you love the feeling of a cammed muscle car? If you answered yes to any of those questions, then you need to start looking for a Fox Body.
As a matter of fact, we love the Fox Body so much that we listed it in our “Top 4 Sports Cars for Under $4,000 (https://dustrunnersauto.com/4-best-sports-cars-4000/)“
When I was 17 I LOVED tuner cars, but then I took a ride in my friends Fox Body, and I fell in love with it so much that I traded my Jeep for a Fox Body a few days later. So, even if you are a die-hard tuner, or maybe you just don’t like Mustangs at all, I promise you from the bottom of my heart, the first time you drive a Fox Body Mustang you’ll fall in love with it.
What to Look For If I’ve convinced you to go out and buy a Fox Body there a few things you need to look for before you make the sale official. Make sure the frame isn’t twisted or rusted out. High horsepower Fox Body Mustangs will likely have a slightly twisted frame if subframe connectors weren’t added. This is somewhat unrepairable.
Generally, the 5.0L engine is bulletproof, but it does have some common issues. The rear main seal is a common oil leak. On your test drive make sure it holds good oil pressure at really high RPMs, if it doesn’t it may need an upgraded oil pump.
Summary Overall the Fox Body chassis is extremely good in almost every way. It has that ’80s and ’90s nostalgic feeling and that awesome ’80s look. With a plethora of ground effects to choose from, it will always look sexy. It hammered Camaros back in the day, and still will today if it has enough modifications.

If you have the money to get a Fox Body, do it today, seriously. It will be the best car you ever bought. Plus if you end up not liking it you could always hold on to it for a few years and double your money.

[ZR]

Enjoyed the read, thanks for posting.

[RedSN]

ahhhhh, classic foxbody paint chipped yellow front bumper.

[hammerhead]

Cool story - when I was young I grew up driving muscle cars from the early '70's and beyond - since then I've owned three fox body mustangs and one capri. I still have two fox mustangs - In my opinion the fox body mustang is the last muscle car. It's with the high torque of the later models you really have the feeling of a 340 duster (which I have owned several 340-360 mopars) the old small blocks like the mopar 340's and 360's had high torque, and like the mustang thro's you back into your seat...a funny personal story: I purchase a 90 mustang notch brand new and my mom use to always give me shit for letting my dad drive her around - she use to say to me "will you stop letting him drive that thing, he's going to kill us!" I could never tell my dad he couldn't drive my car because I new what he was feeling and he just wanted to be cool....lol!

[RedSN]

^^^funny story: my dad currently has (owns) my old 90 mustang notch.

[hammerhead]

that's cool - I wish I still had my notch.

[Ponyryd]

Seems to me that only the aero cars are in high demand, at least in my area. My buddy has been trying to sell his H/C/I 85 GT vert since like April for $10k, it’s a pretty clean, very soid driver, but not selling, just dreamers, probably sell quick in Toronto I would think, but around here it seems guys only want efi cars.

Cool stuff though, thanks for posting.

[Minaccia]

Some of you guys sound like I used to sound when it came to the Fox Body Mustang I would go on to say how the Fox was the only real Mustang until I sold my noisy, old, smelly, can't handle heat, can't handle boost Fox Body and bought the new and improved s197 with the new 5.0 Coyote Mustang and now I'll never go back to a Fox but I still like to look at them as I drive by them.

Moral of the story is you never know what you'll be into tomorrow so keep your eyes open for new things cuz you may just like them better, technology is a beautiful thing.

[RedSN]

^^^Lou, I have said this of everybody that praises Fox’s. They haven’t driven a new Mustang.
And it the reason I strongly resisted test driving the ‘18 at the track. (I just plain didn’t want to know how much better it was)

The torque to weight ratio of a fox is impressive, and a lot of fun. But the handling, braking, and safety are severely lacking. I always laugh at the first mods most people do to a fox: 5-lug conversion, Cobra 4 wheel disc brakes, sub-frame chassis stiffening, ....basically what Ford did with the SN95.

I keep thinking my dream car would be a ‘65 GT350. But it’s a piece of junk compared to a 2018 GT350.

[stangstevers]

I got into the S197 with the Coyote, great engine, awesome cars but TBH I didn't enjoy it as much as others did and it was nothing special, yeah it was fast and had some mods - it still didn't feel personal and got tired of it quick - to me it feels the same as driving my 2015 Edge in terms of "enjoying the ride". I'd only do a new one as a daily driver because to me a weekend toy should NOT have amenities of a new Lincoln. Just give me a lightweight machine with a V8 and a stick that I can tinker with. I want raw, uncivilized and stupid as my weekend toy. I feel people who move on to the new stuff bash the fox to convince themselves that they made the right choice. Because once you've experienced the fox drug, it's hard to give it up. The only thing I don't really like is the 80's "safety", I'd rather be in a 2018 Mustang if I have to get into a crash, which is why I'd NEVER daily a fox and keep it for fun fair weather drives :D

Granted I've been taking the fox away from my notch with all Max Motorsport suspension stuff, Cobra brakes and soon Cobra IRS. It's still a lightweight, no BS, no thrills machine with a pushrod 302 that takes me back to high school.

I think the best of both worlds awards goes to the 1994-2004 Mustangs. You have better interior, better suspension, better brakes and can fit some serious tires under there without having to worry about anything. Still slightly raw but not as dumb as a fox. Plus, I believe a Coyote swap is a tad easier. I still dream of a 2003 Mach1 in Azure blue in my garage next to my fox... One day, when I stop spending 5k a month at Home depot LMAO...

[Ponyryd]

^This.
I love foxes, but I also love my 1988 Wrangler, so that may explain it, lol.

[FABMAN]

I have had a fox notch 5.0, new edge Gt and now a s550 Gt...hands down the s550 is my favourite but if the budget and opportunity arose I would love to Build a coyote powered new edge coupe with irs.

Those new edge cars will always have a special place in my heart as I had a bunch of good memories in the 11 years I had mine.

Although I still check out foxes at shows I think the memory of them would be better than owning one these days (for me at least).

[hammerhead]

I have nothing against the new cars - I think the technology is amazing there just not muscle cars nor have the feel - the old Fox's especially with a carb have that feel - computerized cars appear to have a 15-20 year life span on oem once they start throwing codes they seem to be pretty much junk and big expensive headaches - my 79 fox is getting a new engine after 39 years and in the last two years I put 50,000 miles on the old horse, I don't even know how many miles are on that one and those last two years didn't cost me a penny - not sure that will happen with new cars on sensors at 39 years.... with my 2 barrel carb and stock 140 hp 302 I would take many of the modern 5.0's off the line and into 2 - after that I was toast....lol they are fun to drive and that's the appeal to me. The new engine will be old school to keep that feel...!

[hammerhead]

Seems to me that only the aero cars are in high demand, at least in my area. My buddy has been trying to sell his H/C/I 85 GT vert since like April for $10k, it’s a pretty clean, very soid driver, but not selling, just dreamers, probably sell quick in Toronto I would think, but around here it seems guys only want efi cars.

Cool stuff though, thanks for posting.

they take a while to sell at 10 - being a vert may be harder to sell

[hsousa88]

Foxes are cheap to insure.. to me that makes a great toy. When I want a comfortable ride I’ll take my truck.

[FoxRod]

Doesn't matter which Gen. Mustang you have, there will always be something nicer, more comfortable and faster...F:)X4Life

[ZR]

Yup, always a better mouse trap right around the next corner.

[stangstevers]

For sure... There's always someone with more money, more time and more OCD :D

[RedSN]

There's always someone ....and more OCD :D
No, no Steve, I don't think there is.

[hsousa88]

No, no Steve, I don't think there is.

Agreed. Your a mad man Steve.