In 1979, the then newly released Fox-Body Ford Mustang was the Official Pace Car for the Indianapolis 500. To commemorate this, Ford released a run of 10,478 Indy Pace Car Mustangs, and this Mustang is one of those cars. You will find it listed for sale here on eBay. Located in Westfield, Massachusetts, it is offered for sale with a clear title. Bidding has reached $3,550, although there is a BIN option available for $6,500.
The owner of this Mustang is a realist. He does state that the paint is not new, but that it is original. The car has a number of minor dings and marks on the body, but this area of rust is the worst that is visible on the car. Thankfully all of the items that made the Pace Car so distinctive, such as the original front spoiler, have survived in pretty decent condition. As with all of the Pace Cars, this one is fitted with a sunroof. The owner has new seals for this that are included in the sale.
The interior is fairly honest and is showing some wear and tear. The passenger and rear seat look really good, but the driver’s seat is showing some wear on the base and the side bolster, which is quite common. One of the grilles in the top of the dash is cracked, and I have also noticed that the chrome trim piece around the base of the gear shifter is missing. The owner states that the headliner will also need to be replaced. One positive that I did notice is the fact that the dash and door trims look complete and unmolested, so no one has cut into these to fit an aftermarket stereo.
The Pace Car was available with either the 2.3l turbocharged 4-cylinder engine or the 302ci V8. This one is fitted with the V8, which is backed by the standard 3-speed automatic transmission. The seller has owned the car for 3 years, and in that time he has fitted a new battery, gas tank, fuel pump, front rack, power steering pump, and heater core. He drives the car regularly, and he says that it’s just a case of turning the key and away it goes.
This 1979 Mustang is original and unmolested. It requires some work to return it to its former glory, but it looks like a solid car. It is a car that you can drive and enjoy now, and undertake a restoration (if that’s what you want to do) in stages, as time and money permit. With nicely preserved or restored examples fetching around $15,000 at present, this Mustang represents a project with potential.
I bought several foxbody 5.0’s new and I remember them being fun and reliable cars.
These early four headlight fox body’s were so much better looking than the Taurus version that came later.
Posted Nov 12 by Scott A. (Recycled posting). Car has potential, though I much prefer the last year 1986 GT Cobra before Ford went with the smooth headlamp refresh – not including the SVO (and of those the ‘93 SVT was the best)
There is a person in the town I live in that has 2 of these mustangs and 1 of them has a brush guard on it that wraps around the headlights like what a 4×4 truck would have on it and it looks stupid I wish I had a picture so I could post it but I dont
I give it props for being one of the less gaudy Pace Car editions to hit the streets… without the lettering, it could pass as a factory trim package. I really like these, but if I learned one thing from my ’84 SVO, it’s that I don’t fit into them very well.
I guy in a nearby town HAD one sitting for many years. I asked about once a year for it., Left my name and number. I just noticed it was gone. I went by and asked where it is. His wife said he passed, and she had it sent to Pick-A-Part . Got $186.00 for it. It was rust free California car!!! I was so so bent. But, she asked if I wanted his 1987 Chevy Celebrity wagon…. I politely declined….man, I said words to myself as I got into my truck and left!!!
Steve S. I know what you mean. I used to see lots of them with the brush guards, the were used on the turnpike by the PA. State Police. Made sense ther, but on a civilian car they look stupid. This car looks like a perfect winter project, and priced reasonably.
This is a recycled listing with a lower price. If the guy didn’t get $6500.00 the first time, he’s probably not going to get it the second. The original posting had a beginning price of $4000.00 with 0 bids so it looks like he went lower at $3500.00. I inquired to the seller about this car and was looking for one with AC when I was very politely told that 1979 Pace Cars didn’t come with factory AC to which I replied after I got proof from my Ford contact that they did come with factory air once Ford fixed the grill opening issue. I live in the SE, I have to have AC if I were to take it to a show or drive it around town. So my search for a 1967 frost turquoise Mustang or a 1979 Pace Car continues….
PS the seller never states if the car has rust issues underneath. I am real leary about buying a car from the NE and rust is not mentioned in the advertisement.