When Formula Drift champion Vaughn Gittin Jr. goes drifting with his buddies for kicks, one of his weapons of choice is his classic Fox Body Mustang. “The chassis is relatively light weight and has great dimensions,” explained Vaughn. “There is a huge selection of performance and replacement parts that are relatively affordable. And with some modifications they look damn cool.”
Vaughn began his professional drifting career in 2004 with a Nissan S13. He switched to a Mustang for the 2005 Formula Drift season, but never owned a Fox body until purchasing his current car four years ago. “The main reason I got it was for practice and cheaper on track door-to-door fun with my friends,” he said. “Like every Mustang I ever drove, it’s a very fun car.”
The Fox Mustang is inexpensive and well-supported by the aftermarket industry. More than 2.6 million Fox Body Mustangs were built over its 15-year run, which marked the Mustang’s third generation. It was produced for the 1979 through 1993 model years, with rear-wheel drive, and offered in coupe, convertible, and hatchback variations.
Chassis updates are essential for a proper drift car, but Fox mods don’t need to break the bank. Vaughn’s Fox was built with readily available bolt-ons. (The only fabricated piece on the car is the cage, which was installed by the previous owner.) He recommends using a tubular K member, along with Dvanz Motorsports spindles and control arms to achieve extreme steering angle. “You will want to get rid of as many stock bushings in the suspension as possible,” said Vaughn. “There are plenty of upgraded suspension arms out there for easy swap-outs. Maximum Motorsports makes some nice parts for this chassis.”
The 302-inch V8 Windsor (a.k.a. the 5.0) is the most desirable stock engine. The 4.2-liter V8 used in the 1981-1982 models holds the dubious distinction as the least powerful V8 ever offered in a Mustang. (It produced a paltry 120 horsepower.) The most anemic Fox Bodies were fitted with Pinto-sourced 2.3-liter inline fours and European 3.3-liter V6s, if you want to play the shell game.
Vaughn favors the high-torque 302 and, in stock form, it works just fine. “Use a low rear gear like a 2.7 and it will just chug along. To really get it cooking, 500 horsepower would be awesome.”
On that note, Vaughn’s car is currently in the midst of a transplant. “Ford Performance has solid crate motors. I have beaten on all the motors I have ever had from them and have yet to ever blow one up.”
The alien green wheels on Vaughn’s Fox are his very own RTR (“Ready to Rock”) designs, wrapped with Nitto rubber. Vaughn’s RTR brand first hit the streets with a dealer-installed package for the 2011 Mustang GT and will be available next spring for the current model. The RTR package includes a host of performance, suspension, and appearance upgrades.
Fox Mustang Drift Car Upgrade Path
- Chassis stiffening
- Roll cage and frame supports
- Limited slip rear differential (LSD)
- Seats and harnesses
- Upgrade the suspension and steering angle
- Add horsepower
Looking to build a potent, but sleepy Fox? The Mustang shared the Fox platform with the Ford Fairmont, Granada, LTD and Thunderbird, in addition to the Mercury Cougar and Capri. The Lincoln Continental Mark and VII also rode on the platform.
See Fox Ford Mustang for sale on eBay.
