1979 Ford Mustang Data Explorer summary
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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)

Total VIN VCT Body Sub-Total
369,936 02 66B Coupe 156,666
03 61R Hatchback 92,478
03 61R Hatchback Cobra 17,579
03 61R Hatchback Pace Car 10,478
04 66H Coupe Ghia 56,351
05 61H Hatchback Ghia 36,384

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

Code Sample Mfg Code
Black 1C M1724
Pewter* 1E M5699
Silver 1G M5299
Medium Gray 1P M5523
Medium Red Glow 2H M5636
Bright Red 2P M5555
Light Medium Blue 3F M5608
Medium Blue Glow 3H M5613
Bright Blue 3J M5993
Dark Jade 46 M5328
Medium Vaquero Glow 5W M5599
Bright Yellow 64 M5574
Light Chamois 83 M5520
Tangerine 85 M5533
White 9D M5418
* 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.

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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

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