Ranking The Best Of 80s Mustangs Based On Popularity And Performance

The 80s witnessed the major evolution of the Ford Mustang. The American car maker with the introduction of the new generation of the Mustang ushered in a new era for the iconic muscle car and along its journey, Ford came up with a new range of engines like the 5.0L V8 and 2.3L turbo and during this decade the Mustang had made significant changes in their design, performance, and technology. Now let's have a look at the top 10 Mustangs that came out in the 80s.

10. A New Decade A Fresh Start: The 1980 Ford Mustang

The 1980s Ford Mustang marked a new era for the iconic American muscle car. Under the hood, the 80s Mustang’s base model came equipped with a 2.3L 130 horsepower turbocharged 4-cylinder. The buyers also had the choice of a 2.8L V6 or a 2.8L V8 engine. The 80s Mustang also introduced EFI (Electrical Fuel Injection), and a snake graphic on the hood of the car, although the Mustang received mixed reviews it created the foundation for the Mustang’s future success.

9. The 1981 Mustang that embraced change and endurance

This car was the pivotal model that changed the landscape for the American muscle car, The 1981 Mustang brochure proclaimed that it was “America’s Most Popular Sports Car”.This Mustang didn't go through that many changes, it was pretty similar to the last year’s Mustang, the base model contained a .3L 130 horsepower turbocharged 4 cylinder and there were other choices of 2.8L V6 or 2.8L V8. The only changes it had were a red hatchback that was available for the 81 T-Tops and shots of a wild horse running across the prairies.

8. The 1982 Ford Mustang Gt revives the muscle car legacy

The 82 Mustang GT stood out as a testament to enduring the spirit of American muscle cars. The Mustang brought back the excitement and power the car enthusiasts craved. It was equipped with a 5.0-liter V8 which produced 157 horsepower, which delivered a fast and unmatched experience at that time. The Mustangs that were available for purchase that year were the L, GL, GLX, and GT and the Cobra and Ghia trims were discontinued that year.

7. The Mustang redefines Style and Performance 1983

Ford gave the Mustangs the first makeover in the 1983 model. The American muscle car introduced a sleek and modern design that was different from the boxy designs of its predecessors. The first Mustang convertible was also introduced this year in 1973. Under the hood, the base model came with a 3.6-liter V6 and also a high-output 5.0-liter V8. The turbo four also made a comeback, earlier it was only available for the GT but it was less powerful and more expensive than the V8

6. 1987 Embodies Automotive Rebellion

1987 saw the biggest makeover of its Fox platform since it was introduced 8 years ago. It shook the entire automotive world with its daring choices. Under the captivating exterior was hiding a 5.0-liter V8. At each press on the accelerator, the Mustang ignited a symphony of raw power. The 87 Mustang transcends its position as a mere car, this car became a cultural icon. From movies to music, this car left an indelible mark on the hearts of car enthusiasts.

5. The 1988 Mustang evolves with Unparalleled Dynamism

The 1988 Mustang fell short and it was more like a carryover of the 1987 model. There were three models that buyers could choose from: the LX Coupe, Hatchback, or Convertible. The Mustang was available with just two engines: the 2.3-liter naturally aspirated 4-cylinder engine and the mighty 5.0-liter V8. But this car had some issues with its build quality issue, as reported by some owners. Overall this model also was a success but falls behind some other models.

4. Exploring the Timeless Appeal of the 1989 Mustang

The 1989 Mustang marked another significant year in the history of the Mustang. It was at that time that Ford started to focus on the Fox platform of the Mustang. The car came with a 5.0-liter either 4-cylinder or V8 powertrain. The cam with the same coupe, hatchback, and convertible for the LX and the GT trims. This car also prioritized driver and passenger safety overall this was a pretty good performing car.

3. Turbocharge Excitement 1984

Mustang's 1984 SVO was a thrilling chapter in 1987 it was probably the most ambitious model since the 70s boss models, this muscle car showed Ford’s ambition and commitment to pushing boundaries in terms of power and performance. The 84 SVO came with a 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 175 horsepower. The turbocharged engine provided faster acceleration and improved power delivery making this car one of the fastest Mustangs of that time. The 84 Mustangs left an indelible mark on the Mustang’s lineage.

2. Revving up the American Muscle: The Mustang 1985

The 1985 model stands as an icon in the realm of muscle cars, the bold and aggressive stance captivated a lot of hearts, under its hood the car packed a punch, it came with a 5.0-liter V8 engine that delivered exhilarating performance and produced 210 horsepower. Yes the V8 in the GT took a jump from 175 horsepower to 210 horsepower. The interior of this car was also filled with premium features like a premium audio system and plush seating, and overall this car was a very worth the money car.

1. Redefining American Muscle: The 1986 Mustang

The best out of the bunch is the Mustang 1986 model. Why is it at the top? Because it was a perfect combination of good products and performance. The car had a 5.0-liter V8 with electronic fuel injection. The high-revving engine of this car gave out 200 horsepower. And the Mustangs from 1986 were distinguished based on their subtle exterior design differences. This car pushed the boundaries and set all-new standards of style and performance.