Making Money With Mustangs Part II

Name:   Fox Mustang
Years Manufactured:   1979-1993
Units built:   2,597,354

The Fox platform (named after the dreaded Audi Fox on which chassis dimensions were based) Aero Mustang debuted in October 1978 as a 1979 model and was offered in L, LX, GLX, Ghia, Cobra, and Indianapolis 500 Pace Car trim levels. Five engine and transmission choices were available, including the baseline 2.3-liter inline four-cylinder power plant with either a Dagenham T4 four-speed manual transmission or C4 three-speed automatic. A Capri-based 2.8-liter V-6 was also available, along with a 3.3-liter inline six, hooked up to a C4 automatic. Top of the line included a short-lived 2300 c.c. Cobra Turbo, backed with either a C4 automatic or SROD four-speed manual. And finally, Ford produced the 195-horsepower, 5.0-liter, V-8 engine (302-cid), which was essentially a re-refined carryover from, well, the very beginning.

In 1984, Ford introduced its 2.3-liter Turbo-EFI Mustang SVO with exclusive EEC-IV engine management technology. An automatic overdrive (AOD)-equipped, CFI/5.0-liter H.O. V-8 and a BorgWarner T5-equipped, 5.0-liter/4-barrel H.O. version also debuted that year—both available in Mustang LX. Other big news that year was the debut of the 5.0-liter V-8 "Saleen Mustang," built by former Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) racer Steve Saleen.

In 1984, Ford also released one of its least-popular Mustangs, the Special Service Package 5.0-liter Mustang LX coupe, which was immediately adopted by the California Highway Patrol (CHP), prompting Ford to advertise, "Have You Been Chased by a Ford, Lately?"

By 1985, Ford still had its baseline 2.3-liter inline four and upscale SVO Turbo Four. The 3.8-liter V-6 also remained in the product line, as well as both CFI and two-barrel and four-barrel carbureted versions of the 5.0-liter V-8.

The best news of all came in 1986 with the release of Ford's new 5.0-liter EFI cars, available with either a BorgWarner T5, five-speed, or AOD transmission in Mustang LX and GT trims.

Mustang continued kicking, well, you know what, with the 1988 release of its across-the-board, Sequential Electronic Fuel Injection (SEFI) 2.3-liter and 5.0-liter power trains, available in Mustang LX and GT trims.

Mustang charged into the 1990s introducing its 105-hp, 2.3-liter twin (spark) plug inline four (1991 model year) and its 5.0-liter SEFI V-8, which would pump out 245 hp at the close of the 1994 model run.

The 1994 Mustangs featured two power trains: a 145-hp, 3.8-liter, pushrod V-6—the derivative of the Thunderbird Super Coupe V-6 engine—available with either an AOD or a BorgWarner T5 five-speed and a 225-hp carryover pushrod V-8 engine available with either an AOD or BorgWarner T45 five-speed transmission in GT trims. For the second time in speedway history, an SVT Mustang Cobra set the pace for the greatest spectacle in American auto sports—the Indianapolis 500! That year, Steve Saleen also released his exclusive 5.8-liter S-351 version of the all-new Mustang.

In 1999, Ford Mustang was treated to a facelift. The car now featured more aggressive lines similar to the original "Rambo/SN95" pre-production art sketches. Independent rear suspension was also available on SVT Mustang Cobra models.

In 2000, Ford introduced the Limited Edition Bullitt Mustang GT, based on the original 1967 Mustang GT and immortalized by the late actor Steve McQueen in the movie Bullitt. Also in 2000, Ford introduced the Limited Edition 5.4-liter Cobra-R—the baddest SVT Mustang Cobra ever built!

The hits just kept on coming with the release of the 2002 Mach-1, complete with its distinctive Shaker Hood. The following year (2003), the Mach-1 was fitted with an Eaton supercharger and intercooler. Conservatively rated at 390 hp, unofficial sources realistically rated the engine at about 425 hp. The 2004 SVT Mustang Cobra also received the same Eaton supercharger and intercooler—a fitting close to an outstanding 10-year production run.

Sales figures for the 2005 model year checked in at an impressive 118,822 units, followed by 2006 model year production figures coming in at 166,350 units—up a respectable 3.5 percent from the introductory year.

Given the car's previous sales statistics, along with the introduction of a number of exciting Limited Edition models, like the Hertz-Shelby and Shelby GT, we expect the 2007 model year will be even stronger.

1. RESTORATION. Late-model Mustang enthusiasts are now restoring the more collectible Fox Mustangs, like the LX, GT, Saleen, and SVO, and these enthusiasts are in need of high-quality restoration parts. While some parts are still available from your local Ford Parts & Services retailer, companies, such as Hewitt, Texas-based Late Model Restoration Supply, seem to fill the void, whether you're looking for late-model Mustang body panels, window glass, or weather stripping. At the present, restoration is the smallest segment of the late-model Mustang market, representing about 10-15 percent.

2. COSMETICS. This category covers everything from sound systems to wheels and tires, to spoilers, hoods, and body kits to provide the Mustang enthusiast with that all-important "sizzle." This is a multi-million-dollar-a-year segment of the industry, which annually represents about 40 percent of the overall late-model Mustang high-performance aftermarket. Body-kit retailers, like ABC Exclusives; Vineland, New Jersey's Cervini Automotive Designs; or Walled Lake, Michigan's Classic Design Concepts, are some of the well-known names on the market.

3. HARDCORE PERFORMANCE. Having a faster car than the other guy requires the installation of performance parts, including cold-air-intake systems, hand-held electronic programmers, throttle bodies, larger-size air plenums/intake manifolds/fuel injectors, high-tech exhaust systems, better-breathing aluminum-alloy cylinder heads and high-tech valve train components, supercharger systems, cams, clutches, shifters, rear-end gears, and stronger axles. These days, it's even possible to purchase complete ready-to-install crate engines—a broad scope covering more than 50 percent of the overall performance picture.

And, with the release of the all-new 4.6-liter three-valve modular V-8 engine series introduced in the 2005 Mustang GT, a whole new generation of high-tech Ford muscle parts has been introduced. Now, where do we start?

Most recently, Accufab has designed billet-aluminum four-barrel throttle bodies for 4250 and 4500-series Holley Dominator applications, available through more than 100 participating Accufab, Inc. dealers. According to Accufab, Inc. General Manager George Klass, Ford products account for 85 percent of the company's gross sales.

"Volume has never been as important an issue to John Mihovetz as quality and performance. I guess you could say there's a little bit of John Mihovetz riding under the hood of every Accufab, Inc.-equipped late-model Mustang out there!"

DID SOMEBODY SAY SUPERCHARGER SYSTEMS?One of the most popular aftermarket power adders for late-model Mustangs is one of the many street supercharger kits available on the market. Basically, there are two types available: the centrifugal supercharger and the roots-type street supercharger.

Of course, the name "Paxton" is synonymous with early Ford 312-cubic-inch Y-block V-8s and Shelby GT350 Mustangs. However, Paxton responded immediately to the introduction of the 1979 Mustang with the compact, reciprocating ball SN60-based supercharger kit for the carbureted 5.0-liter Mustang. Then in 1986, things kicked into high gear when Ford introduced the newly re-engineered 5.0-liter SEFI models. Again, Paxton was there with the very first 50-State-Legal street supercharger kit using an updated SN89 street supercharger. Today, Paxton continues to be a leader in the centrifugal supercharger industry with its "Novi" centrifugal supercharger applications for pushrod and modular Ford V-6 and V-8 engines.

Vortech Engineering is another big firm on the high-performance block, having introduced the first helical-cut, gear-driven Vortech V1 centrifugal supercharger for the 1992 5.0-liter Mustang. Like Paxton, Vortech has established a name for itself in the industry, and has applications for 3.8-4.0-liter, 5.0-liter, 5.8-liter, 4.6-liter, and 5.4-liter Ford pushrod and modular engine applications. Other centrifugal supercharger manufacturers specializing in late-model Mustang kits include Powerdyne Products, Inc., Ford Racing, and ATI ProCharger.

The roots-type supercharger is the second-most commonly used street supercharger in the business. Basically, there are two types: the pure Roots type, like the Eaton supercharger design (and its high-performance counterpart, the Magnusen supercharger), originally used on the Thunderbird Super Coupe and the Twin Screw compressor design popularized by the Kenne-Bell and Whipple supercharger companies.

Unless you're preparing a late-model Mustang for all-out racing (off-highway) competition, be certain the street supercharger kit you install carries a 50-State-Legal Exemption or "EO" number; otherwise, you could have an emissions test and registration problem down the road.

Turbochargers are another way to make good reliable power. However, installing a turbocharger system on any late-model Mustang is considerably more complicated, and we know of very few systems that are actually 50-State Legal.

"With more than 500 Ford Racing Performance Parts dealers nationwide, our job is to come up with all the necessary components our customers need to make their cars run. At the end of the day, the reason why we're here is to sell Ford products. We conduct thorough research each year to understand what our consumers are doing, what they think, where they are heading, and how we can keep up with them. As the market moves, Ford Racing will move with it," he said.

Glenn Dean, performance director from Grand Prairie Ford in Grand Prairie, Texas, is a licensed Ford Racing Performance Parts retailer and is particularly pleased with the direction Ford has taken with its 2005-2007 Mustangs.

"One of the really great things about the 2005 to 2007 Mustang styleup is that it's brought alive the history of the previous models. In fact, I would say that it (2005-2007 Mustangs) was one of Ford's bolder moves. Some of the great things with the Ford Racing Performance Parts program are items like their cold-air boxes, and cat-back exhaust systems can be installed by the selling dealer (when you buy a new Mustang) and you can get a 36,000-mile or three-year warranty on the product. We've experienced tremendous success with all of the items offered by Ford Racing Performance Parts. We've probably picked up an increase of anywhere from $250,000 to $500,000 in annual parts sales. It's been a great asset to our dealership," he added.

In 1988, in Pompano Beach, Florida, SCCA racer and engineer Dario Orlando started Steeda Autosports out of a one-car garage. From these humble beginnings, the company has experienced phenomenal growth.

"You might say I got the 'vision' when I worked as an evaluation driver for Ford in 1985," Orlando says. "At the time, I was really impressed with the 5.0-liter Mustang. I followed the industry for a couple of years, and in 1988, I decided to build a specialty Mustang of my own."

As luck would have it, Orlando learned that the Excalibur Luxury Car Company of Florida had recently gone bankrupt, leaving nearby Plantation Ford with a large inventory of ordered but not paid-for 5.0-liter Mustang LX coupes.

"We converted those cars over to full competition suspensions, wheels, and tires and sold them as the 'Steeda H.O.' Mustang through Plantation Ford, using many of the same components we sold through our mail-order program."

Orlando also took his new Mustangs SCCA road racing and did quite well with them. "One of the most important factors in making Steeda successful was our participation in motor sports. Trackside, you immediately prove a theory or destroy a theory. That's what racing does; it either works or it doesn't!"

This ongoing testing and evaluation process has enabled Steeda to develop a complete line of 5.0-liter, 5.8-liter, and 4.6-liter late-model Mustang-related performance equipment.

"The key to our success is working closely with Ford (and with SEMA through its Initiative Program) and getting good information and feedback on our products. When we design a high-performance part (Steeda currently holds more than 50 product patents), we make sure that it doesn't violate the vehicle. In other words, we try to design all our parts to complement the great foundation Ford has given us to work with."

Today, Steeda Autosports sells more performance parts than Roush, Saleen, and Shelby combined. "This is a $14 million a year business. We have a total of four buildings with more than 100 employees. In addition, the company is currently building a performance center with its own test track in Valdosta, Georgia. We're particularly proud of our alliance with the Ford Performance Group, and we're continuing to build new products for the Ford Focus, Ford Fusion, and other Ford products; We want to be the 'niche' component supplier to the Ford SVT brands and continue to grow the excitement in the Ford marketplace."

Dallas Mustang Parts (DMP) was founded in 1980 by Scott McGilvray, Mike Greer, and Dick Meditz. The company began selling used Mustang parts out of a small warehouse in Dallas. In 1981, the company published its first catalogue and never looked back.

In 1989, the company moved to its present location where sales continued to boom. One of DMP's distinguishing traits is the fact that it seems to recognize industry trends well enough in advance to successfully capitalize on them. For example, in 1997, Dick Meditz noticed the late-model Mustang's runaway success, so DMP started its own late-model Mustang-only installation center, which included Dynojet chassis tuning. Today, the late-model Mustang segment represents more than 40 percent of gross sales.

"We hope that the late-model side of the business will continue to grow and eventually overtake early-model sales," says DMP's CEO Randy Gibson. "We're quite sure that will happen, especially with the new body style. We think this car will be the one to take it there."

Purchasing Manager Jack Abraham started Muscle Motors Performance as a Web site after he noticed his local street-racer buddies were surfing the Internet for good deals on 5.0-liter Mustang performance parts.

"In 1988, I started contacting manufacturers and buying direct. That way, I was able to pass the savings on to my customers."

Currently, Muscle Motors Performance is housed in a 5,000-sq.-ft. facility located in Canoga Park, California, and the company is on the move.

"This is our second facility in five years. Right now, we have eight employees and do over $5 million a year in gross sales and we're actually looking for an even bigger building."

Muscle Motors Performance carries product lines, including Ford Racing, MagnaFlow, Bassani, Diablo, Dynojet (the company has its own dyno), Accufab, Vortech, ATI-Pro Charger, Whipple, Paxton, Bosch, Delphi, and F.A.S.T. However, Jack Abraham's main priority is service.

"We've noticed that the market is kind of getting away from the big warehouses and favoring the local shops more where the car owners can get the kind of service they really need. With the big warehouses, you're basically dealing with someone who just wants to sell you parts and not necessarily be there for the customer when they really need them. We want to be there when the customer really needs us."

One of Muscle Motors' more progressive ideas is its warehouse-distributing program for tuner shops. "Our goal is to help these guys get up and running so that they can pass on the savings to their customers."

Whether you are a parts manufacturer, parts seller, or an independent service provider who sells and installs Mustang specialty parts, there is already a big market out there and it is continuing to grow.