FORD MUSTANG

The ‘Fox Body’ stallion offers a big slab of ’80s US muscle for relatively little money. Isn’t it time we put a few more on the roads of Britain?

Few people in this country know much about the third-generation Mustangs (1979-1993). Built on Ford’s ‘Fox’ platform and known as the ‘Fox Body’ generation, they’re becoming hot property in the States, especially among drag fanatics, but those angular looks have so far failed to catch on in the UK.

However, soaring prices being paid for earlier Mustangs are bound to bring up the value of third-gen ’Stangs on these shores eventually.

There’s little evidence of Foxbodied cars rising in value just yet, especially with the pound so low against the dollar, so you’ll need a very powerful crystal ball to foresee any return on your investment. But it’s the Mustang’s rarity in the UK, its abundance in the USA, and its sex appeal that make it worth tracking down while values in America are relatively down-to-earth.

Seen in the context of the secondgen Pontiac Firebird, the Mustang’s squared-off bodywork begins to make sense. Expect it to be much easier to live with than the earlier Mustangs, too – still a bit lairy, but more comfortable and reliable.

Avoid the lack-lustre Pinto engines, and anything that’s been excessively modified (American mods are unlikely to find many British admirers). Instead, find an honest, high-spec example from a dry region and you’re bound to turn a few heads at classic shows.

Keith Barclay from the Essex Mustang Centre (01702 820033, essexmustang.com), recommends the V8 automatic, both for reliability and for the authentic character the configuration provides. ‘If you’ve the cash to splash, track down something special such as the Windsor V8engined SVT Cobra,’ he says.

Confine your search to the UK and your options will be very limited. The US is the most obvious option, though you’ll find a decent range of vehicles sprinkled across mainland Europe, which will help keep your shipping costs down. Australia is another potential source of rust-free examples… though you might find it easier to pass it on to its next owner if the car has American provenance.