Posted on 06/10/2025 1:04:17 PM PDT by Red Badger
Are you a child of the 1980s or 1990s? Your ideal new/old Mustang is here.
The so-called "Fox body" Ford Mustangs, the third-generation cars built from 1979 through 1993, are enjoying a sort of nostalgia-driven renaissance in interest these days. Unsurprisingly, this is because those who were young when the Fox bodies were on sale are now older, maybe with some extra cash and spare garage space to start collecting these Mustangs off-lawn, so to speak. How "in" are Fox bodies these days? Ford is even getting in on the action with a new FX package that celebrates the Mustang defined by the 1980s.
This isn't the first time Ford has dipped into Fox-body lore lately, either—when the current Mustang arrived for 2024, its digital gauge cluster even included a setting that recreates the Fox body's old-school analog gauge pack. The FX package takes the nostalgia a lot further, of course, with white badges, white wheels, retro "Mustang" lettering, and more. It's available only on the Mustang GT Premium trim level, on both the coupe and convertible, and with or without the Performance package.
It Ain't Real If It Ain't Teal
Ford doesn't choose just any white paint for the FX package; since all things Mustang must treat time like a flat circle, everything you see painted white is, specifically, painted Oxford White, a hue that was available on the original Mustang. It's used for the "GT" badges, wheels, retro "Mustang" sticker on the rear glass (coupe only), and the "nostrils" in the grille on Performance package variants.
There are two wheel designs and both evoke classic Fox body designs, with the version you see here adopting a slick turbofan style. The other version—for non-Performance-pack cars—is a classic five-spoke. Both wear color-matched center caps bearing "Mustang GT" lettering in what Ford says is a new font (that happens to look like an old, Fox-body font, but who's keeping close track?).
Oh, and speaking of paint, the FX package introduces a new-for-2026 paint color (which also will be available on other '26 Mustangs): Adriatic Blue Metallic. Put simply, it's a rad teal color (pictured here)—what could be more Fox-body-era than that? Another new paint color this year is Orange Fury Metallic. It has no specific history linked to the Fox body, it's just worth mentioning since it hasn't been offered on the Mustang since 2019.
2026 Ford Mustang FX package 18
Pivotal Digital
Setting aside how blown peoples' minds would have been if, in the 1980s, their Fox body Mustangs came with the sort of digitized dashboard that today's Mustang gets (FX package included), Ford has put some effort into backdating the FX's interior. Plaid-like seat inserts do a lot of the heavy lifting here, but remember, there's always that Fox body gauge cluster option. Less obvious is the Dark Alley interior trim borrowed from the Mustang Dark Horse model, as well as subtle blue stitching and a "Mustang GT" badge on the passenger-side dash.
Ford hasn't outlined the FX package's price yet, but mentions that order books for the 2026 Mustang lineup overall open in later in June 2025. We'll surely find out then how much this retro FX package (and the Mustang overall) costs. But if you want to rock out with your 1980s out in a new-generation Mustang, you should definitely peep this one.
A friend of mine had a ‘70 Mustang with the high performance “Cleveland” motor. It ran pretty strong and handled very well for the time.
It worked fine. I was there. 😉
“I drove a rental car Mustang GT after they went to the independent rear suspension and it was pretty good.”
I had a 2016 with tracpac. It was pretty good. I took it to the limits except for top speed. Not confidence inspiring above 120.
I got a 2019 Roush. What a difference!
Not a stock 289. Not even a high performane one with a 4 barrel carb. You would have to have at least 500 hp. A stock ‘70 Hemi ‘Cuda could run low 13’s. Maybe you ran 10’s in the 1/8 mile, no way in a 1/4.
Without a doubt the [1969] Boss 302 is the best handling Ford ever to come out of Dearborn and may just be the new standard by which everything from Detroit must be judged.
https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a15142581/1969-ford-mustang-boss-302-review/
That Mustang was recently found........
Close... try GT500 KR.
“That Mustang was recently found.......”
It was never lost. The owner knew where it was.
BTW, there were two Mustangs in the movie. We don’t know which one THAT one is. Slightly different trim. To save money, they just ripped off the external trim.
I didn’t even notice her, until I read your post.
Yesterday I saw a Ferrari on the highway. It was pure beauty. I couldn't think of anything on earth a beautiful as that car. Melina Trump is that beautiful.
A whole different and rare class of beauty.
Maybe with a shot of nitrous
Same. The Fox Body had those straight lines and sharp angles.
Nice looking car but it doesn't look like a Fox series Mustang in the slightest.
I had an '84 with either an I4 or V6 (can't remember) that was a total dog but a buddy of mine had one of the 5.0 models that he souped up into a beast.
The bottom end of a 289 would have to be beefed up for nitrous, and there wasn’t much of that available to street racing back then, although I guess you could rig your own system up providing you had the know how. There was nitro methane but was mostly for very serious racing, funny cars and dragsters.
#”I’m not seeing a connection. Not a single one.”
It is an appearance package. Retro banging wand seats. Not a redesign to look like the Fox body.
“Except they are the same color.”
Actually, the 2026 FX color is new.
“There was nitro methane but was mostly for very serious racing, funny cars and dragsters.”
And model planes
Retro badging and seats.
Knew a little old lady who had the 1966 289. Navy Blue paint with white leather interior. Great car.
Was she from Pasadena? 🤡
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