The Fox Body Cars No One Really Talks About
Slideshow: Economies of scale are how Ford makes so much performance available for so little money in the Mustang. The Fox platform was introduced in 1978 and continued with slight changes seemingly forever. Here are some options if you can't find a decent priced Mustang.
Lincoln Mark VII
The 1987 and up models of the Lincoln Mk VII LSC's got the 225hp Mustang V8s and riding on that sweet Fox chassis. Though the one you see above is modified there really wasn't much to not like about the car, it was fast, affordable and quite the looker. The rear wheel drive luxo coupe came with a long list of standard features that include an onboard trip computer, digital instruments (except on the LSC models after 1985), and a full air suspension at all four of the wheels. The 1985 model f the car was the first time an American vehicle came with electronic 4-channel anti-lock brakes.
Ford Fairmont Sedan ES
If you want the lightest of the Fox bodies, for drag racing or road racing, check out a 2 door notchback sedan Fairmont from 1978-83. These cars have a slightly longer wheelbase than a Mustang (by 5 inches) but they have less insulation, less metal, and an empty space, so the listed weight is slightly less than the notchback Mustang. Good luck finding the above model with the European Sports package, which included bucket seats, sport wheel, sport suspension, and functional rear window vent louvers. There was a 4 door Fairmont ES as well, and they are near as light. All of the Mustang suspension and brake parts bolt right up.
Mercury Zephyr Z7 (or Ford Fairmont Futura)
In 1978, when the Fox platform debuted, Ford still had the Mustang II, and the Thunderbird, but it was felt they could use a mid-sized sports coupe between them, so the Fairmont was born. Mercury got their own version of the Zephyr Z7. These cars are the same size as the more pedestrian 2 door Zephyr and Fairmont, though they weigh a bit more. These days they have a unique profile that makes them seem even older than they are, looking like a 3/4 scale version of the basket handle roof Thunderbirds and Cougars.
Fox Lincoln Continental
If you want to blow people's minds at track days or autocross meets, build a tricked out 1982-87 Lincoln Continental sedan. Of course, these are not as light as a Mustang, but they are not as heavy as you would think. They are 8 inches longer than a Mustang, so on a tight track they aren't going to turn as quick, but on the plus side, they are going to drift a lot more predictable when you get them sideways. Some of these had air suspension instead of coil springs, but you were going to throw the whole book of Fox-body tricks at it anyway, right?
The Fox Box Bird (and Cougar)
Fans of these 1980-82 Thunderbirds call them box birds, but a better name might be the ugly bird, the Mercury Cougar version was even worse. But, if you are building a Street Outlaw, or Pinks type sleeper, one of these big box birds, with a 5.0 Coyote mod motor would likely fool a few folks. The 108.5-inch wheelbase it shares with the Fox Continental gives you plenty of weight transfer to get a good launch.
Second Generation Ford Granada
The 1981-82 Ford Granada, in coupe, sedan, and wagon, is only good for one thing, and that is confusing people who think they know everything about Ford. These are exactly the same under the skin as the Fairmont but feature more upright bodywork for more interior and trunk space.
NASCAR Aero Bird
The aerodynamic 1983-87 Ford Thunderbird wasn't designed just to win NASCAR races, but that was part of the reason for its modern slippery shape. Back when these cars were introduced NASCAR still used stock body shells, with modifications, not like the silhouette cars of today, so the factory shape was really important. Bill Elliot won 11 of the 28 NASCAR races in 1985 in his Thunderbird, and that car with him driving still has the lap record for highest speed at Dayton by a NASCAR stock car. No matter what form of driving you to plan on using it for, at normal road speeds and above the Thunderbird has much less drag than a Mustang, and therefore should be faster.
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