Editing Ford Mustang (section)

== Third generation (1979) ==
[[File:Ford Mustang 1979 at Legendy 2019 in Prague (cropped).jpg|thumb|1979 Ford Mustang notchback coupe]]
[[File:1985 Ford Mustang GT Hatchback (14209793880) (cropped).jpg|alt=|thumb|1985 GT hatchback]]
[[File:Ford Mustang convertible.jpg|thumb|1987–1993 convertible]]
{{main|Ford Mustang (third generation)}}

The 1979 Mustang was based on the larger [[Ford Fox platform|Fox platform]], initially developed for the 1978 [[Ford Fairmont]] and [[Mercury Zephyr]]. The larger four passenger body used a larger wheelbase which yielded increased room in the passenger cabin, trunk and engine bay.<ref>{{cite book |last=Turner |first=Steve |title=How to Tune and Modify Your Ford 5.0 Liter Mustang |year=1999 |publisher=MotorBooks International |isbn=978-1-61059-039-6 |page=6 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=5pH9BOxPEb0C&q=Mustangs+are+all+built+on+some+version+of+Ford%27s+Fox+platform.+This+chassis+was+the+result+of+Ford%27s+initiative+to+build+a+one-size-fits-all+car+to+serve+as+a+two-door+sports+car+and+a+four-door+family+car&pg=PA6 |access-date=December 13, 2017 |archive-date=January 13, 2022 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220113131633/https://books.google.com/books?id=5pH9BOxPEb0C&q=Mustangs+are+all+built+on+some+version+of+Ford%27s+Fox+platform.+This+chassis+was+the+result+of+Ford%27s+initiative+to+build+a+one-size-fits-all+car+to+serve+as+a+two-door+sports+car+and+a+four-door+family+car&pg=PA6 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Body styles included a [[coupe]] (or [[notchback]]), [[hatchback]], and [[convertible]], the latter added for model year 1983. Available trim levels included an unnamed base model (1979–1981), Ghia (1979–1981), Cobra (1979–1981, 1993), L (1982–1984), GL (1982–1983), GLX (1982–1983), GT (1982–1993), Turbo GT (1983–1984), LX (1984–1993), GT-350 20th anniversary edition (1984), SVO (1984–1986) and Cobra R (1993).<ref>{{cite web |url= http://foureyedpride.com/fep_bild/v/img_arch/mustang/ |title= Ford Mustang Factory Sales Brochures (1979–1986) |access-date= October 26, 2018 |archive-date= July 31, 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200731174548/http://foureyedpride.com/fep_bild/v/img_arch/mustang/ }}</ref>

Engines and drivetrains carried over from the Mustang II including the 2.3&nbsp;L I4, 2.8&nbsp;L V6, and 4.9&nbsp;L V8 engines. A troublesome 2.3&nbsp;L turbocharged I4 was available during initial production startup and then reappeared after undergoing improvements for the mid-year introduction of the 1983 turbo GT. The 2.8&nbsp;L V6, in short supply, was replaced with a 3.3&nbsp;L I6 engine during the 1979 model year. That engine was ultimately replaced with a new 3.8&nbsp;L V6 for 1983. The {{cvt|302|cid|L|1}} V8 was suspended after 1979 and replaced with a smaller, 4.2&nbsp;L V8 which was dropped in favor of the high output {{cvt|302|cid|L|1}} V8 for 1982.

From 1979 to 1986, the [[Mercury Capri|Capri]] was domestically produced as a [[badge engineered]] variant of the Mustang, using a few of its own styling cues.

The third-generation Mustang had two different front-end styles. From 1979 to 1986, the front end was angled back using four rectangular headlights. The front end was restyled for 1987 to 1993 model years providing a rounded-off "aero" style with flush-composite headlamps and a smooth grille-less nose.

When the Mustang was selected as the 1979 Official Indianapolis 500 Pace Car, Ford also marketed replica models, and its special body-appearance parts were adapted by the Cobra package for 1980–81.

1982 marked the return of the Mustang GT (replacing the Cobra) which used a specially-modified high-output {{cvt|302|cid|L|1}} engine.

In 1983, Ford again offered a convertible Mustang, after a nine-year absence. The front fascias of all Mustangs were restyled, featuring new grilles, sporting "blue oval" Ford emblems for the first time.

1984 introduced the high-performance Mustang SVO, which featured a 2.3&nbsp;L turbocharged and intercooled four-cylinder engine and unique bodywork.

The Mustang celebrated its 20th anniversary with a special GT350 model in white with red interior and red lower-bodyside rocker stripes. 1985 Mustangs received another front-fascia restyle.

In response to poor sales and escalating fuel prices during the early 1980s, a [[Third-generation Ford Mustang#Proposed replacement|new Mustang]] was in development. It was to be a variant of the [[Mazda MX-6]] assembled at [[AutoAlliance International]] in [[Flat Rock, Michigan]]. Enthusiasts wrote to Ford objecting to the proposed change to a front-wheel drive, Japanese-designed Mustang without a V8 option. The result was the continuation of the existing [[Third-generation Ford Mustang#1987–1993|Mustang]] while the Mazda MX-6 variant had a last-minute name change from Mustang to [[Ford Probe|Probe]] and was released as a 1989 model.

The Mustang received a major restyling for 1987, including the interior, which carried it through the end of the 1993 model year.

Under the newly established Ford SVT division, the 1993 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra and Cobra R were added as special, high-performance models.

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