What is the name of the Ford Mustang platform used from 1979 to 1993?

The Ford Mustang platform used from 1979 to 1993 was the Fox platform. It underpinned the third-generation Mustang, commonly called the Fox-body Mustang by enthusiasts.

Ford originally developed the Fox architecture as a relatively lightweight rear-wheel-drive platform during the 1970s. The first production vehicle based on it was the 1978 Ford Fairmont, but the platform soon supported a remarkably broad range of Ford, Mercury, and Lincoln vehicles. Its compact Mustang wheelbase helped the redesigned 1979 Mustang gain useful interior and engine-bay space while retaining rear-wheel-drive performance-car character.

The Fox Mustang was sold in coupe, hatchback, and later convertible forms. It also spawned performance variants including the Mustang GT and turbocharged Mustang SVO. The platform accommodated four-cylinder, six-cylinder, and V8 engines, including the well-known 5.0-liter V8.

The dates can cause confusion because the Fox platform itself debuted for the 1978 model year, while the Mustang’s Fox-body era began in 1979. After 1993, the heavily revised Mustang architecture was generally designated SN-95.