Earlier this year, Goodguys upped their model-year threshold to 1987, a move that will include GM G-bodies and a good portion of third-gen F-bodies, the Turbo Mopar brigade, and fans of the Four-Eye Foxes. 1979-1986 Mustangs get love, but nowhere like the 1987-1993 cars tend to get. Honestly, between you, me, and the wall, it seems like every Fox Mustang I’ve laid eyes on is a 1987 or newer unit. I’m a bit tied to four-eyed Fox Mustangs…my mother owned one when I was growing up, a 1982 GL, the first car I painted was a 1981 Mercury Capri, and Project Great Pumpkin, our 1980 Ghia 4.2, has been in my wife’s family since day zero. Light, nimble, and in GT/Cobra/Pace Car guises, properly aggressive looking, the 1979-82 models tend to be overlooked due to the engine choices and later upgrades.
Which made seeing the Goodguys Pace Car Mustang at their booth that much better. It’s a real-deal 1979 Pace Car that has been worked over and built to the nines and will be seeing some track time next year. It’s packing an Aluminator XS from Ford Performance, a Bowler-prepared T-56, and a full Roadster Shop chassis. Those 18×10 front, 19×12 Forgeline center-mount wheels tuck up under the modified wheelwells, wrapped in 265/345 Michelins look absolutely monstrous, and there are tons of details that builder Goolsby Customs fed into the car, like the one-piece all billet dashboard that is a nearly perfect replica of the 1979-1986 dash layout. It’s so good that if it hadn’t been pointed out, we’d have suspected it was a N.O.S. find.
The Pace Car Mustang was just one of a few post-1972 cars that really jumped out at us, and while it’s certainly off of the deep end when it comes to build investment, tell me that you couldn’t find a roller shell early Fox, a plenty-warm 302, and a reason to not make something happen. The Pace Car rules!
I’d like to see Ford ditch the current bloated 1960s Mustang “tribute car” and re-engineer that Fox Body for the 21st century. This car is the perfect concept of what it might look like and with the suspension and power train of the current model it would indeed be awesome!
Second photo down.
“Is that banana in yer pocket”
Very nice build! I too like the 79-86 models better than the 87-93’s (and I have a 85 GT hatch car that I’ve owned for close to 25 years). These cars will continue to be hot for a loooong time. I sell Mustang parts for a living and the number of requests we get for 79-93 parts is astounding….Kudos to Goodguys on bringing the later models in.
Please do a more in-depth feature on this vehicle.The immediate visuals warrant it.
Nice fit with the wheels and tires,for starters.
A long stretch from the factory\’s \”not a Better Idea\” turnsignal-mounted horn.
I second the vote for a more in depth feature on this beautiful four eye. I own a 1986 LX Convertible that I have owned for almost 22 years. Love that car as much as the day I bought it.