The Laboratory : MODEL YEARS
1979 MUSTANG SPECIFICATIONS

1979 began the third generation of the Mustang. A car would eventually help redefine the modern muscle car would first have to share a platform launched in 1978 for the Fairmont and Zephyr. There were two body styles – a coupe and a hatchback. There were 3 trim levels: Base, Ghia, and Cobra. This lineup lasted until 1981. There were three initial engines available: 2.3 L Pinto I4 (88 hp,) 2.8 L Cologne V6 (109 hr,) and the 4.9 L Windsor V8 (140 hp.) These were all leftover from the Mustang II powerhouse. Supply troubles saw the 2.8 L replaced with a 3.3 L Straight Six (85 hp.)

Performance Statistics
1979	Horsepower	Torque	0-60	1/4 Mile
2.3L 2V	88 hp @ 4,800 rpm	118 ft-lbs @ 2,800 rpm	n/a	(LOL)
2.3L 2V Turbo	132 hp @ 4,800 rpm	142 ft-lbs @ 3,500 rpm	n/a	17.36 @ 79.3 mph**
2.8L 2V V-6	109 hR @ 4,800 rpm	142 ft-lbs @ 2,800 rpm	n/a	n/a
3.3L 1V 6cyl	85 hp @ 3,600 rpm	154 ft-lbs @ 1,600 rpm	n/a	n/a
5.0L 2V V-8	140 hp @ 3,600 rpm	250 ft-lbs @ 1,800 rpm	8.7*	16.7 @ 82 mph
* Car and Driver, 4 speed Manual transmission. Automatic transmission tested at 8.3 / 17.0 @ 84.4 mph ** Hot Rod Magazine

Production Numbers		Retail Prices
2dr Sedan: 3dr Hatchback: 2dr Sedan Ghia: 3dr Hatchback Ghia: 3dr Pacecar Replica: Total:	156,666 110,157 56,351 36,384 10,478 369,936	Standard Coupe: Ghia Coupe: Standard Hatchback: Ghia Hatchback: Pacecar Hatchback: Cobra Package:	$4,494.00 $5,064.00 $4,828.00 $5,216.00 $9,012.00 $1,173.00

Available Exterior Colors			Interior Trim Colors
Paint Black Bright Blue Bright Red Bright Yellow Dark Jade Metallic Light Chamois Light Medium Blue Light Wedgewood Blue Met. Medium Chestnut Metallic Medium Gray Mettalic Medium Red Mettalic Medium Vaquero Glow Pewter Metallic (Pace Car) Polar White Silver Metallic Tangerine Tu-Tone Colors: Black / Black Silver / Medium Grey Metallic Light Medium / Bright Blue	Code 1C 3J 2P 64 46 83 3F 3H 5M 1P 2H 5W 1E 9D 1G 85 /1C 1G/1P 3f/3J		Color Black Blue Chamois Red Vacquero White / Black White / Blue White / Chamois White / Red White / Vacquero

1979 Mustang VIN Decoder
Example: 9|R|03|F|000001 9 - Model year last digit R - Assembly plant: F-Dearborn, R-San Jose 03 - Body Code (See below) F - Engine code (See below) 000001 - Consecutive unit number
Engine Codes: Y - 2.3L 2V 4cyl 88hp W - 2.3L 2V 4cyl 132hp Turbo Z - 2.8L 2V V-6 109hp T - 3.3L 1V 6cyl 85hp F - 5.0L 2V V-8 140hp		Body codes: 02 - 2dr Sedan 03 - 3dr Hatchback 04 - 2dr Ghia Sedan 05 - 3dr Ghia Hatchback
Location: Stamped on the plate which is riveted to the driver's side of the dash, visible through windshield; the certification label is located on the the rear face of the driver's door.

General Specifications
Wheelbase	100.5"
Length:	179.1"	Width:	69.1"
Height:	51.5"
Track: (F/R)	Front 56.6"	Rear 57"
Curb Weight:	Coupe 2,550 lbs	Hatch 2,790 lbs	5.0 L V8 +320 lbs
Brakes:	Front 10" Disc	Rear 9" Drum
Wheels:	13" X 5"	14" X 5"	14" X 5"	15.35" X 5.9"
Transmission:	5.0 L V8, SROD 4 speed Manual	All other engines, Borg-Warner T-04 Manual	All engines, Ford C-4 Automatic

Indy Pace Car : The 1979 Ford Mustang was once again selected as the Pace Car for the Indy 500. It was the 6th time a Ford was selected to pace the field of America's then premiere race, and the second Mustang. The three original Pace Cars were specially prepared by Jack Roush, after completing duties at the Indy 500 the cars were repainted (white) for service in the Detroit Gran Prix that same year. They now sit patiently in Roush's warehouse awaiting restoration to their original livery. The actual pace cars were fitted with T-Tops – an option that wouldn't be available to the Mustang until 1981.

The production Pace Cars were finished in a two-tone pewter and black with orange commemorative graphics. Engine choices for the Pace Car were 2.3 L Turbo 4-cylinder and mandatory four-speed manual transmission, or the 302 ci V8 with either the manual or three-speed automatic transmission.

Jackie Stewart piloted the actual Mustang Pace car for the start of the 1979 Indy 500, while Jim Rathmann took over pacing duties during caution periods throughout the race. A Mustang would not be selected again to pace the field until 1994 with the Cobra convertible.

Pace Cars: 5,970 2.3 Turbo with manual transmission 2,106 5.0 V8 with automatic transmission 2,402 5.0 V8 with manual transmission

Cobra : In addition to the Pace Car – one other specialty optioned Mustang was available in 1979 – the Cobra. The option package was around $1,200. The exterior featured a forward facing hoodscoop with 'Turbo' badging, and a Cobra logo on the door above the molding– and all 1979 Cobras wore blacked out lower bumper and side trim and color-keyed side window louvers. The optional hood graphics would set ya back $78.

The Cobra was available with the 2.3 L Turbo four-cylinder or the 5.0 L V8, a four-speed manual transmission, and 3.45 final gear ratio. Suspension modifications included HD front and rear sway bars, special shock-valving, and 15.35” (390mm) forged aluminum wheels wearing 190/65R Michelins. Sales materials promised 0-60 performance of 7.1 seconds.

Inside the car featured the Cobra insignia on the instrument panel, an 8,000 rpm tachometer, ribbed door trim insert, and special instrument panel lights including an audible overboost and engine oil temperature warning system.

A total of 17,579 Cobras were sold in 1979. With sales numbers like that, it's surprising that we don't see more of them on the road.

References

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Wikipedia Ford Mustang
The Official Mustang 5.0 1979 through 1993 Technical Reference & Performance Handbook, Kirshenbaum - Bentley Publishers
Fox-Body Mustang Recognition Guide 1979-1993, Shreiner & Sessler - T-5 Design