Slideshows: Fox Body Mustang With a Coyote Under the Hood

Goodguys Pace Car Mustang

The Goodguys Rod and Custom Association are known to build some of the cleanest and best-executed show cars on the planet and this 1979 Foxbody Mustang Pace Car is no exception. From afar, the car looks largely original, however, upon deeper examination, you will start to appreciate the immense detail that went into this SEMA build. The 1979 Pace Car was used during the Indy 500 and it also marked the first year of production of the Foxbody Mustang platform. Due to the significance of this car to Mustang history, it is clear why Goodguys decided to build the ultimate 1979 Pace Car. Follow along as we detail this amazing build. 

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The Magic behind this Foxbody

The pinnacle of the Foxbody Mustang was always its 302 5.0L V8. The Goodguys paid homage to the legendary 302 by dropping in a 5.0L Coyote engine into the Mustang. However, this Coyote isn't your run of the mill unit found in stock Mustangs. Instead, the Goodguys went all out and used the 5.0L Ford Aluminator XS Coyote V8 crate with Mahle Pistons and rods which is good for over 500hp. 

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Blending modern show car looks with a classic livery!

Furthermore, the Mustang received a Tremec T56 6-speed which transfers power to custom 19x12 Forgeline Wheels with a 345 section width. At first glance, the Mustang's body panels look fairly ordinary. However, you will quickly notice that there are seamlessly molded-in fender flares on the rear and front of the car that allow it to run massive tires. On top of the custom bodywork, the decals and livery also appear stock until you notice that Goodguys printed "Goodguys Pace Car" down the side of the car to pay tribute to their work. 

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Simple and Elegant Interior

Oftentimes, a simple interior goes a long way and this is no exception. The basic gauge cluster setup and tunnel-mounted shifter give the interior an original look although the quality and execution of the interior far surpass what Ford produced. The interior is very welcoming and begs for you to hop in and take this Pace Car for a drive. 

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Gotta love those louvres!

Lastly, although the car retains some Factory sheet metal, the underpinnings are all modern. Instead of reusing the flimsy Foxbody chassis, a state-of-the-art Roadster Shop chassis is used to ground this beast. All in all, this build is a perfect blend of modern performance while retaining that sweet Foxbody Mustang heritage. 

>>Join the conversation about this Coyote Powered Fox Body right here in The Mustang Source.

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