Data for 1979:
1979 Mustang Body Styles:
The 1979 Mustang took performance and gas savings a huge step forward with new aerodynamic queues and the use of new lighter materials to create the Fox body in a coupe and hatchback form. The Fox wheelbase was 10.4 inches longer allowing for 20 percent more interior space but the car was 200 pounds lighter. This helped since all three of the previous year's engines continued to be used along with a new turbocharged version of the smallest 2.3 liter and a midyear replacement of the 1978, 2.8 liter V6; with a 3.3 liter inline-6. The Ghia and Cobra continued in 1979 with a midyear addition of a limit run of Indianapolis 500 Pace Car replicas. Ford's bet on the Fox body and option packages was right with production sales of 369,936 units, 92% more than 1978, and nearly matching the introduction of the Mustang II in 1974.1979 Mustang Paint Color Codes:
* Pace Car only1979 Mustang Engine Codes:
1979 Mustang VIN Decoder:
Year: 9 = 1979
Assembler:
F = Dearborn, Michigan
R = San Jose, California
Body:
02 = Coupe
03 = Hatchback (inc. Cobra)
04 = Coupe Ghia
05 = Hatchback Ghia
Engine:
T = 3.3L 85hp 6-Cyl
Y = 2.3L 88hp 4-Cyl
Z = 2.8L 104hp 6-Cyl
W = 2.3L 130hp 4-Cyl Turbo
F = 5.0L 134/143hp V8
Unit Number: 1979 Mustangs start at 100001
The VIN number is on top edge of the dash on the driver's side visible through the windshield.