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Anything is Better Than a Camaro! | Performance | 1993's Mustang | Shows and Awards


A Little History

In 1974 Ford started work on a new multi-vehicle unibody platform. It was designed to be lightweight and simple and in 1978 it came into production in use with the Ford Fairmont and Mercury Zephyr. This chassis system was code named "Fox" by Ford as it was created to compete with VW's Fox which also used a money saving multi-vehicle platform. The Fox chassis would eventually support 11 different vehicles from 1978-1993 including the Mustang and in a modified form (Fox-4) it would continue in use in Mustangs from 1994 to 2004.

1979 saw the release of an all new Mustang. It was roomier, it looked modern and had a large choice of engines and trim. At the low end a 2.3L 4-Cyl engine was carried over from the Mustang II. The most powerful engine buyers could choose was a 255CI V8 which only produced 120 HP but despite this sales were impressive for 1979 with 369 936 units being produced.

To keep the car fresh, Ford made a few important changes between 1983 and 1984. It re-introduced the GT model with a 302CI V8 which pumped out 175 HP making it stronger than the new '82 Camaro. Ford marketed the return of the GT with the phrase "The Boss is Back!" It also brought back a convertible model which had not been available since 1973. The newly formed Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) released a Turbocharged 4-Cyl version of the GT which was produced until 1985. It came with four wheel disc brakes and 5-lug wheels. This Turbo-4 generated the same HP as a V8 GT but with a much larger price tag and unfortunately did not sell many units. It remains one of the rarest Mustangs today.

The Mustang was slightly restyled in 1985 and gained a fuel injected V8 for 1986. Just a few years earlier sales had begun to slump and Ford considered changing the Mustang into a Front Wheel Drive car. Bombarded with letters of protest from all over North America, Ford instead took it's FWD sports car plans in another direction and created the Probe. The Fox Mustang would live on and in 1987 it underwent it's first major redesign since it's release 8 years earlier. It borrowed aerodynamic ques from the old SVO and received a brand new interior. Only two engines were now offered; the 2.3L 4-Cyl (now fuel injected) and the 5.0L V8 which was now rated at 225 HP and came attached to an 8.8 inch rear end. Like in previous years, a coupe, hatchback and convertible were offered with either the LX or GT trims as options. Small interior, engine, and exterior colour and trim changes were made between 1987 and 1993 with several special appearance packages offered in 1990, 1992 and 1993 but the car remained largely unchaged up until 1993. Sales climbed to 114 228 units in 1993 as excitement for a new Cobra model and a new restyling in 1994 surfaced. Over the unheard of 14 years the Fox Mustang was available for purchase, 2 597 894 cars were produced.

The Mustang in 1993

1993 was the last year for the Fox Mustang. By now it was equipped with a driver side airbag (at the cost of losing tilt steering), it had new bigger wheels (since 1991), colour keyed body side moldings, an 8.8 inch rear end and the best suspension a factory Mustang had come with in years. Great as the current Mustang was, it was old and many other cars had gone to a rounder, more modern look with safer features and more power. The Fox Body Mustang was left looking like an outdated car from the 1980s inside and out. Ford knew this and had a new Mustang on the way for 1994 but needed the Fox to hold on for one more year.

1993's Mustang remained practically identical to 1992's Mustang. A CD player was offered for the first time and some exterior colour options were changed as well as small unimportant details (for example the windshield wiper motor mounted on the firewall received a plastic cover in 1993). One mentionable difference and one of the first things Ford did to set up the 1994 Mustang was downrate the 302CI V8 from 225 HP and 300 ft/lb torque to 205 HP and 275 ft/lb torque. Ford claimed this more accurately represented the V8's output based on a new rating system which required the engine's accessories (A/C, smog pump, P/S etc) be taken into account. This was probably a truer picture of what the V8 had to offer but many believe this was also a marketing tactic to make the 1994 302CI V8's output at 215 HP appear to be a gain over 1993.

Ford came back in 1993 with more special appearance packages available only with a V8. Two types of convertibles were offered. The first was a Canary Yellow model. You could order a black or white leather interior with matching top. These convertibles came with a special rear spoiler, chrome wheels, special embroidered floor mats and headrests and finally all the exterior body moldings were colour keyed to the paint. No black trim existed. Secondly you could order a Triple White Convertible. This car came white with a white top and white and black leather interior (not white, black and grey like a regular Mustang with a white interior). Also included were embroidered headrests and floormats and colour keyed body moldings. This Triple White Fox was topped off with a special rear spoiler and white wheels. No special changes were made to the engine, suspension or drivetrain of these feature cars.

Perhaps the most exciting models to be released during the Fox Mustang histroy came at it's end in 1993. SVO had recently changed it's name to Special Vehicles Team (SVT) and presented the public with the first Mustang worthy of the Cobra badge since it's ancestors had last raced the streets in 1970. More than just an appearance package, SVT's first Cobra was functional and even more appealing it was produced in a limited run with only 4993 units going up for sale. Most importantly the Cobra's 5.0L V8 was tweaked to outperform the regular GT V8. SVT installed a GT-40 intake and heads. It gave the Cobra roller rockers, bigger fuel injectors, MAF, throttle body and a specially tuned computer. All this produced 235 HP and 280 ft/lb torque, a conservative rating by Ford at best. 17 inch wheels were included with unique front and rear fascia, rear spoiler and rocker panels. The front grill was open and proudly displayed a running pony in chrome while the fenders now showed off a fierce Cobra poised to strike instead of the old "5.0" badge. Cobras were only available with a 5-speed manual transmission. The buyer had a choice of three colours, one of which was unique to the Cobra; Teal, Vibrant Red and Black. The 1993 Cobra also came standard with 3.08 gears in the rear and was still 4-lug.

SVT's first Cobra R also came onto the scene in 1993. This car was similar to the regular Cobra but was meant for road racing. In order to prepare this car for the track SVT removed it's foglamps to save weight and instead installed an engine oil cooler in one of the openings. A strut tower brace was installed along with stronger anti-roll bars in the front and rear. Specially tuned Koni shocks replaced the GT equipment along with a 5-lug set-up which consisted of 4 wheel vented disc brakes, dual piston calipers up front and 17 inch wheels. These wheels were taken from the new 1994 Mustang but instead of getting silver paint, they were gloss black with a polished lip and chrome center cap. To save weight a factory rear seat delete came standard along with a full size spare wheel and tire. The front seats were the plain jane cloth models from 4-Cyl cars and no convenience options were available. That meant no A/C and no stereo or speakers. The drivetrain was unchanged from the regular Cobra and the outside stylings remained the same. Only 107 Cobra Rs were produced and literally sold before they hit dealerships. Most never saw track duty and are still garaged. In all, only 5100 Cobra and Cobra R units were ever built. Ford was successful in recreating interest in the Mustang for 1994 and made sure the Fox Mustang went out with a memorable bang.

My Mustang

First off, a huge thank you to my dad who helped me buy this car and who never hesitates to give a hand with the car whenever I ask. Next, the boring part: When I first discovered Fox Body Mustangs I hated them. This is a common reaction for most people when first introduced to this car. A lot of people will comment that they didn't know that Fox Body Mustangs were Mustangs. When you ask them what they thought Mustangs in the 1980s looked like they don't know. My dad always pointed them out to me at shows telling me they were something I could afford as opposed to the 1968 Mustangs I had my eye on. It was my neighbour's Fox which finally turned me to the dark side.

After I got my drivers license in the winter of 2003 my passions for Mustangs was rekindled. I began to look at ads for fun in the summer and save money earned from my job. Like a lot of other young Mustang enthusiasts I was a lot of talk. By the spring of 2004 I quickly realized I would need my own car because of opening and closing shifts at my place of employment. I started to purchase Buy-and-Sell newspapers and make phone calls.

One Saturday I sat down and circled the first ad I was interested in in black sharpie, a black 1993 5.0L hatchback. I then proceeded to circle the rest of the ads in blue ballpoint pen. This specially highlighted ad would soon lead me to my first Mustang. My dad came with me to check out a red 1991 5.0L hatchback but he was weary as it had a rebuilt motor and was parked in a shop. I then set up a meeting to look at the black Mustang. My dad checked the car over thoroughly and we took the car for a short test drive down a side road. He told me to step on the gas hard. The tires chirped, the nose of the car lifted and we flew down the block; I fell in love instantly.

All I could think about for the next week was that Mustang; I had butterflies and felt jittery. The owner was originally asking $5200 which was slightly out of my price range. My dad told me we would offer $4800 and that if he didn't take it I would have to walk away. I told him I was prepared to do that, but something felt too right about it. A couple phone calls, a trip to the bank and insurance agency later and I was picking up my very own Mustang for $4600!

The jittery excited feeling lasted for at least a couple months later as I would look out the window at my new car and have to shake my head. I couldn't believe it, but I actually owned a Mustang. They say anticipation is greater than arrival, but in this case they were wrong. Looking at it, driving it, I thought, "no, I'll have to give this car back at some point.", but I still have it. Even now I have trouble keeping my eyes off it. To makes things even better I entered a Mustang show in September of the same year and won an award. The last couple years with the car have been great. I originally wanted to keep the car a stock beauty after some minor restoration but here I am now, just finished a 5-lug conversion and making plans for a crate motor and transmission swap. My love affair with this car continues and I hope it will last for a long time.

-Purchased July 8, 2004 for $4600.
-174 XXX KMs at time of purchase.
-3 previous known owners.
-First purchased in the Great Lakes Sales District Canada (Door Tag DSO Code B8).
-Assembled at Dearborn Assembly Plant, Michigan, USA
-Choice Information Pulled From the 1993 Mustang Sales Brochure:

Specifications

Wheelbase	100.5 Inches
Overall Length	179.6 Inches
Curb Weight	2834 lbs
Real Life Weight	3300 lbs
Wheel Type	Cast Aluminum
Number of Studs	4
Bolt Circle Diameter	4.25 Inches
Diameter and Rim Width	16x7 Inches
Chassis Construction Type	Unitized Body
Front Suspension	Modified MacPherson strut with spring on lower arm
Front Springs	Helical Coil (all); progressive-rate
Shock Absorbers	Integral with strut, direct nitrogen gas-pressurized, hyrdaulic
Stabilizer Bar Diameter	1.3 Inches
Rear Suspension	Four-bar link (upper, readings lower, arm); unique Quadra-shock
Rear Springs	Helical Coil (all); progressive-rate
Schock Absorbers	Unique Quadra-shock, nitrogen gas-pressurized, hydraulic vertical shocks and freon bag horizontal axle dampers
Stabilizer Bar Diameter	0.83 Inches
Steering	Rack and pinion, power assist
Steering Ratio	14.7:1
Turning Diameter	40.8 Feet
Steering Wheel Diameter	15.0 Inches
Steering Wheel Turns	2.22
Brakes	Power front disc/rear drum, self-adjusting
Front Disc Diameter	10.84 Inches
Rear Drum Diameter	9.0 Inches
Total Brake Swept Area	316.0 Square Inches
Aerodynamics	Coefficient of Drag: 0.36 (Hatchback)

Major Standard Equipment

-Bodyside protection, urethane Lower	-Body colour fascias, front and rear with body colour rub strips and Mustang nomenclature
-Fender Badge (5.0)	-Glass, flush quarter
-Aerodynamic halogen headlamps	-Wraparound taillamps with tri-colour lenses
-Mirrors-dual remote-control	-Moldings, bodyside protection-body colour
-Spoiler, rear-single wing with stop lamp	-Wheels-cast aluminum 16x7" 5-spoke with locking lug nuts
-Air bag, SRS-driver only	-Ashtrays-front and rear
-Belts, safety-four seating positions with shoulder harness restraint system (front and rear)	-Cargo area cover (3 door)
-Carpet-16 oz.	-Cigarette lighter
-Console with armrest	-Glovebox
-Trim-full wrapover, soft colour-keyed door trim panels with full-length armrests and cloth or vinyl inserts, colour-keyed cloth headliner, sun visors	-Instrumentation-includes tachometer, trip odometer, voltmeter, temperature, fuel and pressure gauges-alert lights for check oil, low coolant, low fuel and low washer fluid
-140 MPH Speedometer	-Mirrors dual visor with covers
-Light group-lamps in dome with front door switches, engine compartment, glovebox, front ashtray and cargo compartment and headlamps-on alert chime	-Articulated sport seats with cloth trim, cloth headrests and power lumbar support, split/fold down rear seatbacks (3 door)
-Stalk mounted controls-includes turn signals, wipers/washer, high beams and falsh-to-pass	-Steering wheel, leather wrapped
-Footrest, driver's	-Alternator
-Axle, Traction-Lok	-Battery, maintenance-free, heavy-duty-58 amp
-Brakes, power-front disc/rear drum	-Demisters, side window
-Electronic engine controls (EEC-IV)	-Engine-5.0L SEFI HO (Sequential Electronic Fuel Injection High Output) V8
-Exhaust system, dual stainless tailpipe terminations	-Fuel tank-15.4 gallons; tethered cap
-Glass, tinted (complete)	-Heater/defroster/ventilation-"power vent" with four instrument panel registers with positive shut-off
-Horn-dual note	-Parking brake-tunnel mounted
-Sound insulation package-luxury	-Steering, power rack-and-pinion-14.7:1 constant ratio
-Transmission-5-speed manual overdrive	-Tires-P225/55ZR16 all-season performance, mini-spare
-Suspension-front, modified MacPherson strut with stabilizer bar, rear, coil-spring four-bar link, gas pressurized front struts and rear shock absorbers, handling suspnsion package with variable rate coil springs and Quadra-Shock rear suspension	-Windshield wipers, interval

Selected Options

-Air conditioning, manual	-Bracket, front license plate
-California emissions system	-Convenience group (a)
-Defroster, rear window	-Equipment group, power (b)
-Mirrors, dual illuminated visor	-Paint, clearcoat
-Radio, electronic premium AM/FM stereo with cassette/premium sound	-Roof, flip-up/open air (3 door)
-Speed control	-Transmission, automatic overdrive
(a) Convenience Group Includes:	-Cargo tie-down net, front floor mats
(b) Power Equipment Group Includes:	-Power door locks, power liftgate release, dual electric remote-control mirrors, power side windows