The Fox-Body Ford Mustang hit the market back in 1979. Modern American muscle cars seemed to be extinct partly due to high gas prices from the oil crisis of the decade. By this time Americans were looking for more power but were still reserved to fuel efficiency. The new Ford Mustang was larger than the outgoing Mustang II, yet managed to be lighter for fuel efficiency. The European-influenced design came from Ford's team in Italy.

The exterior looked sporty, and the interior was simple and functional. Finally, they had an attractive package that could pack in some power and not break the fuel bank. There were quite a few engine choices for this Ford, over the years, but only one of them truly matters, the 5.0L V8. Honorable mention goes to the turbo 2.3L 4-cylinder that is only found in the super rare 1984-1986 SVO trim. The earlier models housed carburetted engines, but by 1986 the Ford Mustang had EFI power plants.

Then, in 1987, came the makeover that would be featured as the muscle car of the era. Aftermarket companies like Saleen, Shelby, McLaren, and others had variants available in dealer showrooms. Most of these tuner specials are quite hard to come by, especially if they are in decent shape. Another fun special edition out there is the "Police Interceptor". The Fox-Body Mustang came in a coupe, hatchback, and convertible. You will find these body styles are written in order of most rare to most available, currently.

Related: These Are The 10 Best Muscle Cars If You Want To Do Track Days

Fox-Body Ford Mustang Is A Pony On Ice

Rear-wheel drive plus big power equals a drift-happy car. Add the Ford Mustang's lightweight and low-cost to get a track-worthy tail slider. Out of the box, the Fox-Body has enough power to break the tires loose. This means you can spend less money on mods to get started, and bank that cash away for consumables like brakes and tires. Mustangs have become a top choice for drifting these days with promotion through teams like Hoonigan. Maybe you can build your own Hoonicorn based on a Fox-Body Mustang.

Aftermarket Support And Simple Systems

93 Mustang Cobra R Engine
Via: Barrett-Jackson

Below we will discuss a few ways to enjoy these cars in motorsports, but part of the enjoyment for most gearheads is working on their rides. The 1990 Ford Mustang is a fantastic platform for driveway mechanics or professional race teams. It was before these current days of a thousand sensors and complicated software. It is just a simple EFI combustion engine. No traction control, no ABS, no-nonsense. On top of that, parts are beyond plentiful.

Engines, transmissions, and axles were shared by quite a few Ford models that you can still find in junkyards today. If you cannot find the parts you need at the yard, or on eBay, you still have a chance. There are several suppliers and restoration companies that have OEM and aftermarket parts readily available. Customizing is also easy with a solid amount of performance companies out there, some of which specialize in this chassis or Mustangs in general. The bottom line is you can build whatever you want from a stock restoration to a tire-tearing monster.

Related: Watch Foxbody Mustang Pull Massive Wheelie In Father Vs. Son Drag Race

Wheelie Yourself To An 8-Second Quarter Mile

Foxbody Mustang Drag
Via: Mustang50magazine

One of the major uses for this chassis was to drag race. It was light, came with an 8.8-inch solid rear axle, and the 5.0L V8 was the perfect baseline to start making power. Through the Ford Mustang's popularity, the aftermarket companies flooded the market with all the track-going goodies. From the factory, these cars run the quarter mile in about 14.5 seconds on a good day.

However, with proper modifications and tuning these cars are known to hit 8-second runs all day. Work up enough torque in your build to see the sky as you take off. It was common ground to see Fox Mustangs doing wheelies at the drag strip back in their day. It may not be the most efficient way to get down the strip, but it sure does look cool.

The Fox-Body Ford Mustang Also Hugs The Ground

Fox Body Ford Mustang NASA Driving on Track
James Willamor Via Flickr

Although you may see the current Ford Mustangs cutting up corners at the track rather often these days, the Fox chassis was not necessarily known for it. There were companies like Steeda out there that were producing parts geared toward chassis & handling though, and these cars can make an excellent budget build for some autocross days.

The solid rear axle is likely the point of opportunity when it comes to hitting high-speed turns. Fortunately, you can swap in the independent rear suspension from a 1999-2004 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra. Pair that with a few mods needed to run in whichever events you are participating in, and you have a fun car in the twisties.

Sources: Ford, Mustang50magazine