1980 Ford Mustang Hatchback

Why is it called the “Fox” platform?  I am unable to find a sure reason why Ford identified this chassis as “Fox”.  Some people say that it had something to do with VW's “Rabbit” but I can't confirm that.  I assume the Fox name has something to do with how Ford downsized their vehicles.  Ford's vehicles went from being big like a cow to small and nimble like a Fox.

Here we go, a Foxbody hatchback, a former 6-cylinder sexy grocery getter turned dragstrip demon Mustang from 1980.  A very clean, well-kept car ready to gobble up the Camaro competition at the strip with a rebuilt small block V8, new automatic transmission, heavy duty rear axle, and all the go-fast bolt ons one would expect under the hood.  A show car worth respray looking very fine in black and pale yellow and a contrasting red and black interior.  If I'm still not floating your boat, then take our consignor's advice, turn the key and GO!

***Due to varying emissions control devices being removed, please check with your state, county, local or provincial motor vehicle department to verify the ability to legally register this vehicle in your area***

Exterior
Sinister and menacing black bathes the majority of the body of this car and is in very nice condition with no rust, and compliments the front of the car that has been dipped in a pale yellow with scalloped streamers running rearward and down over the fenders and into the doors.  Color coordinated bumpers front and rear sport a wide midsection in body matching vibrant black and yellow colored trim that encircles the car.  As we move on, let's stop at the beautiful 1982 Mustang GT hood scoop adding some flex to the otherwise flat hood.  15-inch polished Jegs Sport Star wheels are on all 4 corners wrapped in skinnies up front and steamroller sized 295/55R15 Mickey Thompson drag radials in the rear.  Providing the hatchback styling is a downward sweeping hatch flanked by faux vented B pillars and clean, glass its nothing but pure and unadulterated Fox here folks.  The only chrome seen is in the form of the Ford badging, bright and shiny window trim and mirror like door handles…very tasty.

Interior
A fine mix of black cloth wrapped in red stitching, totally blemish free, covers the front high back racing buckets with headrests.  The padding and bolsters are excellent and these seats tend to grab you upon entering, just the way a racing seat should.  Awesome red seatbelts keep you secure, and in the back all of the seating has been removed for the sake of weight savings.  The same treatment was performed in the hatch area.  Flooding the floors is retina searing red deep pile carpeting that stops just at the former rear seat area.  On the hump is a TCI shifter along with the factory parking brake handle.  The dash front is wood appliqué early 1980's square and rectangle design, with the gauge cluster presenting very clean and filled with the whole nine yards of AutoMeter gauges.  A switch panel has been installed where the factory radio once lived and controls everything from the ignition to the accessories to the power for the line-lock.  Fronting the dash is an original steering wheel with a thick black rim and drilled center spokes.  In their red clad vinyl glory, the door panels are nearly showroom, and house padded armrests, manual window cranks, locks and chrome trimmed actuators.  A tight red broadcloth headliner hangs above and we note access panels in the hatch area for the battery and fuel cell.  MMMMMmm good!

Drivetrain
A lift of the hood and we see an amazing clean black engine bay holding within a rebuilt 4,000 miles ago 351ci Windsor V8.  This mill has been fitted with 11:1 compression pistons, a Blue Racer hydraulic camshaft and is fed by a new Holley 750cfm 4-barrel carburetor.  A new aluminum radiator and electric water pump are on to keep things icy cool baby bear, and the fire within comes from a new MSD ignition system with new racing wires and plugs.  On the back is a new C4 3-speed automatic transmission with a new converter and new flexplate as well as an extra capacity deep sump trans pan.  Sending the power rearward is a new driveshaft and putting all those ponies to the pavement is a Ford 9" rear axle weighing in with 4.11 gears

Undercarriage
A nicely aged black and gray paint covers nearly every component underneath without hardly even a spec of surface rust to be found.  The structure of the unibody is very sound and has the addition of subframe connectors for extra rigidity.  Front disc brakes and rear drums provide the stopping power and in the front we note independent coil spring suspension.  Meanwhile, out back gives us a view of the Morrison rear suspension with ladder bars and coil overs.  Headers are in charge of the exhale with muffler-less pipes ending mid chassis.  Our consignor notes that to make this car street legal again one simply has to add a pair of mufflers. 

Drive-Ability
I love these Fox bodied Mustangs and was anxious to get some seat time in a street/strip car, especially one with all the goodies under the hood.  After squeezing into a firesuit that was clearly shrunken, as it was a tight fit, it did not disappoint with a quick lighted fire, and perfectly choppy idle.  Off we went with a pop of the shifter to D.  Plenty of power, great handling, and I felt like a million bucks behind this wheel.  I had to remind myself I was in a race car, so challengers were always on the prowl for me.  The only race I lost was the one to the lunch buffet with my partner in crime, as he tends to never miss a meal.

If you are in the market for some 1980 eye candy in the form of a very racy Fox body 5.0 hatchback, look no further, as this one is a beauty.  It is hard to find any real discernible faults in this classic, which can be used as a dedicated dragstrip demon or with the addition of mufflers go out and tear it up at the less than legal late night drags.  Do you burn out, get the car staged and wait for the lights to drop....it's go time!

0F03B191134

0-1980
F-Dearborn, MI Assy Plant
03-Mustang Hatchback
B-3.3L I6
191134-Sequential Unit Number

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display.  This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.