Other years : 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 [1979] 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25

Show some Ford Mustangs from 1979
Other 1979 Data Explorer Pages : [Mustang] Cobra

Body Styles (compare years, see more 1979 style information including Special Models)

Coupe

Hatchback

The 1979 Mustang was a significant improvement over its predecessor, with new aerodynamic cues and the use of lighter materials to create the Fox body in both coupe and hatchback forms. The Fox body had a wheelbase that was 10.4 inches longer than the previous model, which allowed for 20% more interior space while still being 200 pounds lighter.

The 1979 Mustang continued to use all three engines from the previous year, along with a new turbocharged version of the smallest 2.3-liter engine and a midyear replacement of the 1978, 2.8-liter V6 with a 3.3-liter inline-6. The Ghia and Cobra models continued in 1979, with a midyear addition of a limited run of Indianapolis 500 Pace Car replicas.

Ford's bet on the Fox body and option packages paid off, with production sales of 369,936 units, which was 92% more than in 1978 and nearly matched the introduction of the Mustang II in 1974.

Sales Brochures (compare years)

Production Totals (compare years)

Paint Color Codes (compare years, large examples, paintref.com - codes, chips)

* Pace Car only

Engine Data (compare years, see more 1979 performance information)

Gross Horsepower was measured using a blueprinted test engine running on a stand without accessories, mufflers, or emissions control devices. In 1971-2 automakers began to specify power in terms of SAE Net Horsepower (as defined by standard J1349). Net Horsepower is measured with the engine in "as-installed trim", with all accessories and standard intake and exhaust systems. This was done to reduce the advertised power for insurance rates and to account for different approaches to emission reduction equipment.

VIN

Displacement

Carb

Compression

Max Power (net)

Max Torque (net)

Late V6 replacement 3.3L 85hp 6-cyl

T

200ci 3.3L

1-bbl

9.0:1

85hp 3600rpm

154ft-lb 1600rpm

Standard 2.3L 88hp 4-cyl

Y

140ci 2.3L

2-bbl

9.0:1

88hp 4800rpm

118ft-lb 2800rpm

Optional 2.8L 104hp 6-cyl

Z

170ci 2.8L

2-bbl

8.7:1

104hp 3600rpm

150ft-lb 2300rpm

Optional 2.3L 130hp 4-cyl Turbo

W

140ci 2.3L

2-bbl

9.0:1

130hp 4600rpm

165ft-lb 3600rpm

Optional 5.0L 139hp V8

F

302ci 5.0L

2-bbl

8.4:1

139hp 3600rpm

250ft-lb 1800rpm

Optional 5.0L 143hp V8 California

F

302ci 5.0L

2-bbl

8.1:1

143hp 3600rpm

243ft-lb 2200rpm

VIN Decoder (compare years)

Year: 9 = 1979
Assembler:
F = Dearborn, Michigan
R = San Jose, California
Body:
02 = Coupe
03 = Hatchback
03 = Hatchback (Cobra Optioned)
04 = Coupe Ghia
05 = Hatchback Ghia
Engine:
T = 3.3L 85hp 6-Cyl
Y = 2.3L 88hp 4-Cyl
Z = 2.8L 104hp 6-Cyl
W = 2.3L 130hp 4-Cyl Turbo
F = 5.0L 134/143hp V8
Unit Number: 1979 Mustangs start at 100001
The VIN number is on top edge of the dash on the driver's side visible through the windshield.

Jump to top of page

Other years : 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 [1979] 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25