Uploaded May 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
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SOURCES
barchetta.co/fox-body-sources
TIMESTAMPS
0:00 INTRO
0:14 CONCEPTION/EARLY DESIGN PHASE
3:10 JACK TELNACK BIO
6:10 TELNACK PROPOSALS
9:08 LATE DESIGN PHASE
10:24 FORD IN CRISIS
12:44 DEBUT
14:40 PACE CAR
16:07 REVIEWS
18:36 IMSA MCLAREN M81 MUSTANG
20:24 MASSIVE FORD DEFICIT
21:57 THE BOSS IS BACK
23:93 1983 UPDATES
26:10 MID-80s UPDATES
28:15 MUSTANG SVO
29:44 MANAGERIAL CHANGES
31:55 A MAZDA MUSTANG?
35:10 LATER UPDATES
Ford created the first Mustang in response to the growing demand for sporty compacts. With the second generation model, the automaker attempted to adapt the nameplate to a changing landscape. And the third iteration of the pony car represented Ford’s renewed product strategy in the late 70s and early 80s. Consumer tastes were shifting away from full-size gas guzzlers and toward smaller, more efficient offerings. The company also wanted to streamline its international product strategy. Ford hoped to address both of these issues with the Fox project.
The 1979 model went on sale with a starting price $4,494. A number of engines were on offer. Most of them were carried over from the previous generations. An 88 horsepower 2.3L 4-cylinder was the base power plant. Ford also developed a turbocharged variant of this engine, a Mustang first. It made 132 horsepower and 145 lb-ft of torque. Howard Freers, the chief powertrain and chassis engineer, said that it could’ve made up to 147 horsepower and 154 lb-ft of torque. Ford didn’t have very much experience with turbocharged engines and also has concerns about its reliability at those figures, so it was de-tuned. A 2.6L V6 was also available… for a time. Supply chain issues forced the company to offer a dated 3.3L inline six in its place. At the top of the range was the 5L V8. In this application, it made 140 horsepower.
Road and Track took to the new styling, writing that it could have been a European design. Performance from the turbo-4 left a lot to be desired, though. Cars such as the Toyota Celica and Volkswagen Scirocco could match its 0-60 time of 10.4 seconds and return better gas mileage. Overall refinement was also lacking, with the magazine writing that it sounded like a diesel engine. It ended the piece by writing that the turbo-4 was only “marginally acceptable” in its present state of development.
The turbo-4 was discontinued due to reliability issues. Enthusiasts probably weren’t sweating this loss out too much, as Ford had also introduced a range-topping 5L high-output V8. It made 157 horsepower and 240 lb-ft of torque. With the cancelation of turbo 4, it was the clear performance king of the Mustang lineup. It also achieved 17 MPG city and 29 MPG highway.
Motor Trend called the 5.0 GT “the best-balanced Mustang ever.” This balance was reflected in terms of sheer performance as well as affordability. After familiarizing themselves with the machine, they were able to achieve a 0-60 time of 6.9 seconds. It also reckoned that the engine could be equipped on a GL model for well under $10,000.
BECOME A PATRON: patreon.com/BarchettaMedia
BECOME A YOUTUBE MEMBER
youtube.com/channel/UCZCB8ChAn8PQXzONCi193FQ/join
SOURCES
barchetta.co/fox-body-sources
TIMESTAMPS
0:00 INTRO
0:14 CONCEPTION/EARLY DESIGN PHASE
3:10 JACK TELNACK BIO
6:10 TELNACK PROPOSALS
9:08 LATE DESIGN PHASE
10:24 FORD IN CRISIS
12:44 DEBUT
14:40 PACE CAR
16:07 REVIEWS
18:36 IMSA MCLAREN M81 MUSTANG
20:24 MASSIVE FORD DEFICIT
21:57 THE BOSS IS BACK
23:93 1983 UPDATES
26:10 MID-80s UPDATES
28:15 MUSTANG SVO
29:44 MANAGERIAL CHANGES
31:55 A MAZDA MUSTANG?
35:10 LATER UPDATES
Ford created the first Mustang in response to the growing demand for sporty compacts. With the second generation model, the automaker attempted to adapt the nameplate to a changing landscape. And the third iteration of the pony car represented Ford’s renewed product strategy in the late 70s and early 80s. Consumer tastes were shifting away from full-size gas guzzlers and toward smaller, more efficient offerings. The company also wanted to streamline its international product strategy. Ford hoped to address both of these issues with the Fox project.
The 1979 model went on sale with a starting price $4,494. A number of engines were on offer. Most of them were carried over from the previous generations. An 88 horsepower 2.3L 4-cylinder was the base power plant. Ford also developed a turbocharged variant of this engine, a Mustang first. It made 132 horsepower and 145 lb-ft of torque. Howard Freers, the chief powertrain and chassis engineer, said that it could’ve made up to 147 horsepower and 154 lb-ft of torque. Ford didn’t have very much experience with turbocharged engines and also has concerns about its reliability at those figures, so it was de-tuned. A 2.6L V6 was also available… for a time. Supply chain issues forced the company to offer a dated 3.3L inline six in its place. At the top of the range was the 5L V8. In this application, it made 140 horsepower.
Road and Track took to the new styling, writing that it could have been a European design. Performance from the turbo-4 left a lot to be desired, though. Cars such as the Toyota Celica and Volkswagen Scirocco could match its 0-60 time of 10.4 seconds and return better gas mileage. Overall refinement was also lacking, with the magazine writing that it sounded like a diesel engine. It ended the piece by writing that the turbo-4 was only “marginally acceptable” in its present state of development.
The turbo-4 was discontinued due to reliability issues. Enthusiasts probably weren’t sweating this loss out too much, as Ford had also introduced a range-topping 5L high-output V8. It made 157 horsepower and 240 lb-ft of torque. With the cancelation of turbo 4, it was the clear performance king of the Mustang lineup. It also achieved 17 MPG city and 29 MPG highway.
Motor Trend called the 5.0 GT “the best-balanced Mustang ever.” This balance was reflected in terms of sheer performance as well as affordability. After familiarizing themselves with the machine, they were able to achieve a 0-60 time of 6.9 seconds. It also reckoned that the engine could be equipped on a GL model for well under $10,000.
