Not perfect but highly original are some of our favorite words when it comes to describing running, driving hobby cars. This 1979 Ford Mustang Pace Car is said to be a highly original example that is equipped in the best possible way, with a V8 engine and a manual gearbox. The Pace Cars could be had with the turbocharged four-cylinder and an automatic, so the original owner of this example checked all the right boxes. Plus, it appears to be rot-free and the desirable Recaro interior is still accounted for. It’s listed here on craigslist in Redwood City, California, with a price of $9,500. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Otto M. for the find.
For whatever reason, I feel like this generation of the Indy 500 Pace Car replica – the first generation Fox body – is the one that most often shows up in driver quality condition. Sure, you get the occasional time-warp specimen with next to no miles on the clock, but not to the same degree as the black and silver C3 Corvette (in my humble opinion). The Mustang version of the Pace Car tribute series just seemed to be driven more regularly and less often held as a future collector’s item, almost as if everyone learned their lesson from the prior year when far too many of those Corvettes end up being held under lock and key, only to see next to no value appreciation 30 years later. This Mustang originally came with TRX wheels which have been swapped out with later Mustang rollers; if you want to keep it OEM correct, you can now get the TRX replicas in conventional sizing.
The Recaro interior in these things has become highly sought after and is very hard to come by these days. I actually had Scotty G. grab a pair out of a junked Pace Car from a salvage yard in Minnesota – hard to believe, but I got the two of them for $120. They needed work and are currently being redone in the “Caramel” colored cloth that was an option for the Pace Cars (and any early Fox body optioned with the Recaro interior), and like any Recaro seat, they are incredibly comfortable. It’s a good sign this interior is still intact because it’s often the first thing to get pillaged in any cars that end up being parked for a while and start to look more tempting as a part out rather than a restoration candidate. This Mustang appears to have always been a nicely maintained driver, which is sometimes the best way to buy a car that will happily run and drive but not break the bank to purchase.
While I have no grudges against the 2.3L four-cylinder turbo, and actually would love to own an SVO someday, it just seems more fitting to have a Pace Car tribute fitted with a V8/manual transmission combination. The seller notes it runs well and it must run cool, too, because he just drove it from Arizona to California with no issues. The title is clear and there are no immediate running issues disclosed, and the engine bay appears to be in bone-stock condition, too – no signs of aftermarket equipment like exhaust or headers present. The Pace Car will always have a following, and this one looks like an easy way to get into owning a special model with the right equipment.
Nice car, but I think that the rims are not original to this year. They belong to a later year Ford/Mercury product, ie 1984/5 timeframe, if I’m not mistaken.
The writeup points that out. These are the 1985-90 rims. Not stock on this one. I would immediately get the TRX replicas to make it look original. These cars were slow. Real slow. I think the 302 only made 140 horsepower this year. Unless you want the large grill of a big SUV filling your rear view all the time, you’re gonna want to beef that up. Cam, intake and headers would help a lot. These are pretty light. I don’t know what these things are worth now. The car world’s been turned upside down. But under 10 grand sounds pretty good for anything classic these days
Almost everyone in the late 80s early 90s ditched the trx wheels. We were high school kids then, and the tires were unaffordable for us. We would swap put wheels and tires at the hub cap shop. Them guys knew what they were getting…we didn’t.
I actually have a set of the correct rims right now. A friend was moving out of state and I helped him by taking a bunch of stuff he didn’t want to ship including a set of the wheels. I assume he still has his Pace Car Mustangs including a 1964 1/2, 1979, and a 1994 model. His 64 1/2 was found as a carcass being used for erosion control on a river bank back in the early 80’s and was rescued and fully restored.
Jeff makes a good point. There are some of the 10,000 or so of these Pace Cars built which have been socked away, but apparently not many. It seems most were used as regular cars, some ending up like this example, some long ago relegated to the barn, many simply junked. (I’m thinking about a group of well-used Pace Cars I saw at a salvage yard along OH 7 in southern Ohio a few years ago).
This one isn’t bad, it has the expected worn Recaro upholstery, cracked steering wheel, and worn-off bumper cover paint. But it doesn’t look abused. Restored, they are attractive but not particularly valuable; maybe do some improvements and just enjoy driving this early Fox.
I remember that steering wheel in my Grandparents 81 Cougar XR7. It looks out of place to me in a Mustang. Nice car and seems like a decent deal, the later model phone dial rims look better than the original TRX wheels IMO
Ironically, the available sport steering wheel in the outgoing Mustang II (& Pinto!) would have looked a lot better.
Same with the racing mirrors on the other cars – even avail on Granada!
Rear wiper here rare as hell, i would think.
Good reason illustrated here NEVER should the factory paint over window frames with flat black paint! GM did the same on f-bodies in the late 70’s.
Those are the wheels that were on my 1988 LX 5.0.
Nice car. The 5.0 was a better engine by 88 but this is still a solid car.
Awesome. Looks great with the 10 hole rims. Those seats are so 80’s. They look like they could be designed by Eddie Van Halen himself.
Yes but look at the stains on both seats where your butt goes.
I beg to differ on performance! My ’79 5.0L 4 gear (yellow not a Pace Car) is a blast to drive. Obviously not like a Coyote. It is 140 hp but it has 255 torque so it can pull hard. The first foxes have to be driven with respect but that makes them fun. Sideways is the quickest way around a corner!
That steering wheel is the one that came when Speed Control was ordered. The non S/C three spoke sport wheel looks and feels much better.
Correct. This steering wheel also came when a tilt wheel was ordered. The three spoke sport wheel is one of my all-time favorites.