Ford Mustang MK3

What is a Ford Mustang MK3?

The third generation of the original Ponycar from the Blue Oval stable, produced between 1979 through to 1993, and also often referred to as the Fox Mustang, due to its new platform being given that engineering code name.

Its styling was heavily European influenced, a square, boxy looking compact car available as a hatchback, coupe or convertible. For the first time in Mustang history the Mk3 got turbo power and fuel injection, though the much more refined multi-point injection didn’t arrive until the late 1980’s. After the Mk2, the Mk3 upheld the iconic status that the Mustang model had earned, long after the gas-guzzling big-blocked muscle cars had become dinosaurs.

History

The Fox platform broke new ground for the Mustang and instead of using the traditional front suspension A configuration upper control arm and single lower control arm with coil spring and damper, the Mk3 got the MacPherson strut set-up. At the rear were upper and lower trailing arms of unequal length, coil springs and longitudinally mounted monotube dampers with anti-sway bar The base engine for the Mk3 was the Pinto/Fairmont 2.3-litre OHC four-cylinder, other options were 2.8-litre V6, 200ci straight-six and the venerable 5-litre 302ci V8 rated at just 140bhp but also at a lazy 3600rpm. Transmissions were either the four-speed manual of C-4 three-speed automatic. During its debut year of 1979 one of the Mk3 engine options was the 2.3 turbo with an Air Research turbo pushing power up to 142bhp.

However, still in their infancy the turbo cars proved unreliable and anyway 140bhp was also available from the 5-litre V8. While nowadays the Mk3 Mustang may not have the universal appeal or charisma of the first generation cars, in its first year it sold extremely well with the production of 369,936 cars. That’s the highest number of cars built since the introduction of the Mustang II unloved by purists that sold 385,993 in 1974!

You need to go right back to 1967 for the next highest production of 472,121 in 1967. Ford were still building a car around the Mustang name that the American buying public were still very much in love with and indeed continued to sell extremely well. It had been 10 years since the Mustang had last been available as a convertible in 1973, but that changed in 1983 when the model was re-introduced. In 1984 the SVO (Special Vehicle Operations) Mustang made its debut. The Pinto 2.3-litre engine gained an improved Air Research T3 turbo boosting power to 175bhp with 210lb ft torque and there was a Borg Warner T-5 manual transmission.

The Fox platform was also endowed with handling to match the performance (0-60mph in 7.5 seconds and top speed of 137mph) with all-round disc brakes, Koni-asssited suspension, and special power-assisted rack and pinion steering. In 1984 the Saleen Mustangs surfaced, boasting modified bodywork and performance packages. Team Saleen had much success racing Mk3’s and took the SCCA Escort Endurance Series Showroom Stock Championship in 1987.

The SVO Mustang continued to be the top performing Mk3 of the 1980’s with the 5.0 H.O. V8 of 1985 rated at 210bhp and 265lbft torque. Special limited edition models included the Cobra, Turbo Cobra, and Indy 500 Pace Car replicas of 1979 of which 10,478 were produced in conjunction with Roush Performance Engineering and Cars & Concepts, the GT350 in 1984, Saleen convertible, ASC/McLaren and Steeda GT in 1989, the Saleen and Kenny Brown “Outlaw” in 1990 and Monochromatic Yellow and White convertibles of 1993.

The third generation Mustang received a minor restyling makeover around 1987 which was very similar to that of the Escort/Orion frontal aspect. The last of the breed were produced in 1993, which in effect made the Fox Mustang the second longest running Ford model produced since the Model T!

Driving

The Mustang Mk3 handling is more akin to that of a European car than American, and has quite a modern feel to it. The 3.3-litre straight-six engine lacks any lustre, so you’ll need to go for the V8 engine or later 2.3-litre turbo cars to enjoy a brisker performance. There are a good many early cars around that have been converted to RHD in the UK, which doesn’t detract from the original integrity of the handling. Cars fitted with wider wheels and tyres can suffer a little in the suspension department which is not compliant enough to absorb bumps at low speeds. The MK3 offers good levels of refinement, and the Recaro style seats on some models are extremely comfortable.

Prices

Early MK3 Mustangs can be purchased for as little as a few hundred pounds. Later cars circa 1987 onwards fetch more, with excellent examples around £3500 - £4000. It’s unlikely that even a car in concours condition will be more than £5000 - £6000.