Vehicle Description
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'sadvice, 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 yellowcolored
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
performedin 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 applique 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 livedand
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
housepadded 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 tightfit, 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.
