Best looking mustang ever?

[Meatball]

Make no mistake... I got a lot of love for the Fox. But head-turners, they weren't. Although this did get a lot of attention in grocery store parking lots in 2019. My sister had this same car in 1979 when I was a kid, so there's a lot of sentiment for me in this color combo.

I would love a 79 Pace Car or Cobra. The decal packages killed.

Those early foxes (well, all foxes) still turn my head. Almost none are 5.0s and I’m sure all the carbureted & turbocharged ones are long gone, maybe except for personal collections.

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[Meatball]

No my '79 was the 4-banger 2.3. And mine was actually a Capri too. But as you probably know, the only difference between the Capri and Mustang at that time were a few plastic trim bits.

I don’t know how old you are but a 2.3 Capri is a nice car for a teen, way cooler than a Corolla or chevette. I thought the capris looked pretty good.

 

[Meatball]

For me, the fenders made all the difference, and a Capri notchback couldn't be had.

Just an aside, your current EB coupe, even if stock and even if manual could put a scare into or maybe even beat a M1-428CJ or Boss 429 in the quarter. Just saying.

 

[Bikeman315]

Do we have any love for the 71-73 models?

 

[Meatball]

I actually think the Fox body Mustangs returned the Mustang to its original roots of an affordable "sporty" car that could be a lot of fun. The styling has not aged well at all, but it was not totally out of place in its day.

The Mustang II era tried to do the same thing, but it was built on a horrible platform and the general public mindset was squarely focused on economy not performance. By the late '70s, there seemed to be more of an interest in performance again.

Completely agree, and I think most mustang fans would agree that by 85 it was back to its full glory, looks and power wise.

 

[ay1820]

I don’t know how old you are but a 2.3 Capri is a nice car for a teen, way cooler than a Corolla or chevette. I thought the capris looked pretty good.

I had that car while I was in college. My buddy had a mid 70's (76 IIIRC) Mustang with moderately tuned 3.8 six in it. His was faster, but everyone preferred riding in mine.

 

[Meatball]

Do we have any love for the 71-73 models?

Yes!!!! My first car, a pea-green 72 that I put a chin spoiler on and painted black. 351C-2v. Slow but perfect for a teenager. Loved that car. Love that ridiculously long hood. I always stop for them at mustang meets, even though there aren’t many. Pre-covid there were two 71s: A Boss 351 and a Mach 1 - 429. Sweet cars, but not universally loved.

 

[ay1820]

Do we have any love for the 71-73 models?

I always loved the looks, especially that long hood, but I still give the edge to the pre '71 models.

 

[ay1820]

Just an aside, your current EB coupe, even if stock and even if manual could put a scare into or maybe even beat a M1-428CJ or Boss 429 in the quarter. Just saying.

No doubt we have come a long way!

There is a tendency to romanticize the muscle car era, but overall performance of most mid-ranged sport sedans today would blow away all but the biggest of the big blocks from '60s and '70s and do it with the air conditioning on!

 

[Meatball]

No doubt we have come a long way!

There is a tendency to romanticize the muscle car era, but overall performance of most mid-ranged sport sedans today would blow away all but the biggest of the big blocks from '60s and '70s and do it with the air conditioning on!

Very true. In the 80s, it was warranted….but now we’re so far ahead it’s ridiculous.

I try to remember what it was like back then so I can appreciate how good we have it now. It’s not easy. I have a feeling I’d drive a stock LX 5.0 now and it would feel slow. Still sound good, though…

 

[ay1820]

Very true. In the 80s, it was warranted….but now we’re so far ahead it’s ridiculous.

I try to remember what it was like back then so I can appreciate how good we have it now. It’s not easy. I have a feeling I’d drive a stock LX 5.0 now and it would feel slow. Still sound good, though…

Overall, yes, it would feel slow, but I feel like my '89 pulled better at low RPMs. The first thing I noticed was that the low end of our Coyotes felt sluggish but boy do they like to rev and once you get the revs up, boy does it pull compared to those old pushrod 302s.

 

[DRKHORS]

Do we have any love for the 71-73 models?

My first car was a 72. White on white. 351C with FMX automatic. Lots of memories from that car. Sold it when I got my first real job out of college that required a 1 hour commute.

 

[Meatball]

My first car was a 72. White on white. 351C with FMX automatic. Lots of memories from that car. Sold it when I got my first real job out of college that required a 1 hour commute.

351C….the 2v or HO? I still had the 2v on mine when I sold it. Miss that car but it made lots of (unhappy) noise and zero power at high rpm (probably 4500) before the slush box decided to shift.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Respectfully no. 03-04 Cobra gets my vote.

Unfortunately, roofs not blended into the quarters is a turn-off for me.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

My vote

Only if the spokes are spinners.

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