We all know how big of a deal the Fox body Ford Mustang is in terms of muscle car history. It was a game-changer, and a generation that in many ways, set the stage for what the Mustang would evolve to become. This rare concept car is a demonstration vehicle intended to showcase some of the potential of the platform, at least from a styling perspective, and it is known as the Daytona Concept Coupe. Only 5 were ever known to be commissioned, but by all accounts, this is the only one that was made into a production-grade vehicle and actually runs and drives. It will roll across the block this month and you can find more info here on Mecum.com.
Cars and Concepts, one of the numerous aftermarket vendors that served the big OEMs in the 70s and 80s, was hired to build a vehicle that introduced a few different styling concepts. The Fox body had already begun production by the time this rolling prototype was produced, but it was intended to give Ford brass some ideas as to how the styling could evolve. The namesake almost certainly pays homage to the Ferrari 365 Daytona, which also featured plexiglass covers over the headlights as this car does. Other signature details include the full-length plastic panel with custom “Mustang” etching in the surface and a rear windscreen wiper.
The interior introduced the T-top roof panel, which did make it into production. The cabin was decidedly upmarket in terms of fit and finish, with a full-length center console, nicely upholstered leather seats, a three-spoke steering wheel, “Daytona” branding on the glovebox, and even buckets in the rear. The exterior close-ups of this Daytona concept shows some shortcomings, such as alignment of the beltline trim and the finish quality of the custom headlight panel featuring Lincoln Versailles headlamps, but the interior looks to be quite well done and still holding up after all these years of being a rolling concept car.
The exterior paint was redone not too long ago, but the rest of the Mustang seems to remain largely unaltered from its earliest days. The 5.0L V8 powerplant doesn’t appear to have any obvious modifications, but the suspension was supposedly upgraded along with the exhaust. The Daytona concept originally came with top-shelf Borrani wire wheels, but those have been replaced with Dayton rollers that apparently do a good job of replicating the originals (which would be worth a chunk of change today.) Overall, this rare Mustang Daytona appears to be one of the few instances of being able to enjoy a concept car on the street, with the only caveat being that a fender bender will be a challenge to repair correctly. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Mitchell G. for the tip.
This is very cool. Pretty much a rolling mock-up of potential aftermarket pieces. Amazing that it has survived. I guess, because the mods were essentially trim, not drivetrain; thus, items which would not negate regulations. I like most of the mods– the interior changes are particularly upscale, as compared to the stock plastic pieces. Will be interesting what Fox Body collector will latch onto this one.
Good job Jeff.
Thanks Lavery. Agree w Bob. Looks great as is. Real eye catcher for sure. 4sp and 302 guarantee good sounds and fun drives 😎
The wire wheels are a classy look, but I’d have to go with those delectable slotted mags instead! This is one sharp pony! :-)
Yes you are so right, i was going to say the same thing but not as polite as you.
24K miles on the clock with a piece of plexiglass closing off most of the radiator intake. How does that work? I can’t see this thing being a bottom breather like the C3 Corvettes…
That was the first thing that struck me when I saw the lead pic.
It’s a bottom breather with a special lower air dam for airflow.
Can this be registered for the street?
Looks like a newer Dodge Challenger in the front (the Japanese one).
Sorry, it’s a 79 Mustang with Lincoln Headlamps, plexiglass front and rear panels, wire wheels and custom interior.
I’m seriously not seeing where the headlights are any different than any other 79 mustang. They just have a piece of smoked plexiglass over them. And I owned a 79 Mustang.
Pretty, and Shiney. Nothing really special to me. SVOs block most of the grille area with no issues. Also look around other Fox body cars like T-Bird Turbo Coupes. (Like the ones the Bill Elliot drove. All bottom breathers. With no apparent cooling/overheat issues.
Nice to these Fox Body cars coming into their own. My 83 is already 42 years old. It’s hard to believe. And like all great cars are great untouched or modified like mine. Its also great to see prices reflecting their collectability.
got a fox wagon (6 yrs newer).
“…would evolve to become…”
I like the ‘aero’ (4th/5th gen) better. It kept a lill of gen1 BUT…
really blew the lid offa it and came up w/something new and
on par w/the era defining gen 1… Not easy to do (all the merican laws, needs to sell 200K plus just to produce, etc).
I love Fox body cars also. I have a 1987 5.0 LX, 1984 SVO and my favorite 1981 Ford Durango. Fairly light and strong. (For a unibody car) Some day I will only have the Durango as the other 2 are donor cars for the Durango upgrades.
Since the GT 5.0 and the Capri came out with the 5.0 2bbl with 157 hp (IIRC) and the 4-speed in 1982, I’m guessing that’s the combo here.