Ford Mustang: 1979-1993

The V-6 that had been used in the Mustang for some time was replaced with an ancient Ford straight six. Hardly a banner year for performance fans. The 1980 Cobra got a set of spoilers (but with such anemic engine choices they couldn't have done much good). Sales were way down, with a little over 271,000 sold. Not much improved in 1981, other than a 5-speed manual box for the four-bangers and a T-Top option. Fewer customers dropped in than ever.

GT Time
Ford finally caught on in 1982 when a hotter 302 pumping 157 horses was fitted into the Mustang. The Mustang GT looked the part and was decently quick for the time. The turbo got the boot and there were three luxury models (the L, GL and GLX) to replace the Ghia package.


Even more changes were in store for 1983, most notably the long-awaited return of the convertible that could be had in GT or GLX trim. Under the hood the straight six and the 4.2 liter V-8 were canned in favor of a 3.8 liter V-6. Ford made one last try at taming the turbo four-cylinder engine (now with fuel injection), but few ordered it since the 302 was now up to 175 hp and had a five-speed of its own. An odd duck was the SVO Mustang, a limited-edition model with a 175-hp (later 200 hp) intercooled turbo four, a luxury interior and four-wheel disc brakes. But it was too expensive and soon disappeared.

Camaro Comp
Over the next few years horsepower continued to climb, and with fuel injection the 1986 version produced 200 hp. The next year the Capri got the boot, as did the SVO and the V-6 engine. The grille and taillights were revamped, with the GT getting its own look. This version of the Mustang was continued through 1989, with a slightly tweaked power output on the V-8.


Mustang sales had started to slip by the late 1980s. Ford even thought about dropping it, but it got a reprieve. The 1991 and 1992 models were basically the same, with a few special edition models to spice up sales. But Chevy had raised the bar with an all-new Camaro with a potent 350 and a six-speed gearbox, and Ford would not have an answer ready until 1994.