Aerodynamics - Low Drag - Fuel Efficiency.
These became the buzz words at automotive design
and styling conferences, in the engineering
departments, in their feasibility studies,
and during wind tunnel test after wind tunnel
test.
Specific planning for the next generation
of Mustang may have dated back to 1976, but
the concept of developing personal transportation
that would meet all foreseen environmental
and economic requirements on a global basis
dated back to the earliest days of the oil
embargo in 1973. The idea of a "world
car" factored into the long range planning
of most major automotive manufacturers. Also
see The
Mustang Story
1982
Performance fans finally were rewarded in 1982 with
the reintroduction of the beloved 302 V8, now named the
5.0 litre HO (High Output) and rated at a decent 157 bhp. More>>
1983
The convertible finally returned for 1983. All Mustangs
also received a redesigned grille and taillights. In
addition, engine choices were shuffled up, mainly for
the better. The 3.3 I6 was dropped, and replaced with
a new 3.8 litre V6 rated at 112 bhp. More>>
1984
To mark the 20th anniversary of the Mustang, Ford released
a special Twentieth Anniversary GT model. This featured
a GT350 badge were it had been 19 years before. Unfortunately,
although Carrol Shelby had licensed the Cobra name to Ford,
the GT350 and GT500 names were not licensed. Ford had to
discontinue using the GT350 name, making this a one year
only model. More>>
1985
The big news for 1985 was improvements to the 5.0 litre
V8 H.O. The engine received true dual exhausts, and 1960s
era stainless steel tube headers. Along with a longer duration
lift cam and hydraulic roller valve lifters, power output
increased to a respectable 210 bhp. More>>
1986
The regular turbo charged Inline 4 was dropped for
1986, while the SVO engine was slightly detuned for 1986,
its last year, to meet the requirements of lower octane
gas. More>>
1987
Although the SVO Mustangs were gone, a lot of their
parts found their way to lesser Mustangs. All Mustangs
received the SVO drooped nose, and thus all radiator breathing
was from under the front bumper. More>>
1990
For 1990, all Mustangs received a new 140 mph speedometer
to replace the previous 85 mph unit. In addition, Ford
created a special run of 2,000 Emerald Green GT Convertibles
with white leather interiors that it refered to as the
Limited Edition Twenty-Fifth Anniversary model, (evidently
forgeting that the Mustang's 25th anniversary was in 1989). More>>
1993
Finally, a new Cobra model was introduced mid-year
with its 5.0 litre V8 tweaked to 235 bhp, while changes
to the SAE rating method dropped the regular 5.0 V8 to
200 bhp. The Cobra was produced by Ford's Special Vehicles
Team (SVT) which had taken over the functions of the former
SVO group. More>>
