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Just like the horse it was named after, the Ford Mustang is wild, fast and untamed. After its debut in 1964, the Mustang quickly became America’s favorite pony car. But Ford didn’t stop there. According to a Ford analysis of IHS Markit data, the Mustang is the best-selling sports car in the world. It’s come a long way. To celebrate, let’s talk about one model Mustang in particular.

At first glance, you wouldn’t know the model featured here is a Mustang unless you know Mustang history. These particular models (’79 – ’93) are known as ���Foxbody” Mustangs, and the model featured here is the revered 5.0. I owned this car for a solid two years before I sold. It’s a hell of a fun ride.

The 5.0 badge. Photo by Jullian Aiden Bravo

Now, let’s go over the exterior details.

Standing on chrome, 17-inch cobra-style rims, this 1986 Foxbody Mustang GT hatchback is mouthful to pronounce, but a head turner for sure.

The exterior coating is called “regatta blue,” a common color to have on these particular models, but it was re-coated with a subtly darker hue and shimmering glitter. The rest of the exterior is finished with a black trim and hash-mark vinyls along either front fender.

An interesting feature of these models are the taillights, which aren’t the famous “tri-bar” taillights sported by almost every Mustang. And like most cars of the 1980s, these particular foxbodies (’79 – 86′) featured four squared headlights.

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When I bought the car, the interior was beyond poor condition. Headliner cloth hung from the roof, the dashpad was chipped and cracked, the carpeting was discolored and the factory seats were in desperate need of a touch-up. Overall, the car looked good on the outside, but the inside was trashed — a real depressing site to see.

It took a minute to restore, but the original grey interior was changed to a midnight-black color. It could pass as original. The seats were washed and preserved with black and red leather seat covers while the dashpad wasn’t replaced but concealed with a cost-effective dashpad cover. An aftermarket cupholder was also installed. If I can’t enjoy a large coke in my loud, gas-guzzling Mustang, am I really living in the land of the free? Jokes aside, Foxbodies of this year were notorious for not having cupholders. Rather, it was installed for sake of convenience.

As for the gauges, well, they only go up to 85 mph. If you are wondering why that is, blame federal regulations (’71 – ’81). America was in an energy crisis during this time, so the regulation was implemented to slow cars down and therefore save gas — though it was never proven to be effective. All cars were impacted, and after the repeal of the regulation in 1981, some cars still stuck to the 85 mph display, which explains why this ’86 GT has said display.

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The car has a 5-speed manual transmission with a 5-liter fuel-injected engine. It was in 1986 when Ford bid farewell to the Mustang’s carbureted engine and welcomed the fuel-injected successor. On a stock engine, the car puts down 200 horses to the rear wheels, and has a 0-60 time of 6.3 seconds. It’s not the fastest car on the street, but it was fast for its time.

And by the way, this Fox is not stock. The engine is running BBK unequal-length shorty headers that connect to dual, straight-piped dumps. It has a high-performance throttle body hooked to a short-ram intake along with high performance iridium spark plugs and high performance ignition coil.

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Overall, the car runs good, sounds aggressive and is extremely fun to drive. I did everything I wanted to do in this car — long cruises, street races, burnouts, dates etc. But I also had my share of un-welcomed breakdowns and close-calls with police and angry drivers. Really, I did all kinds of shenanigans in this car.

It’s a shame I had to give it away, but it was time to move on. I currently own a 2014 3.7 liter Mustang. My father actually owned a Mustang, which is why I’m so fond of them. He drove a 1987 T-top Mustang GT. He helped me buy this ’86 for my first car so I made it my mission to restore it for him. I’m sure this car is in good hands now. I sold it to a mechanic working for Dodge as a mechanic in Cerritos, CA.

These cars truly are wicked rides. Sit inside any model Mustang and you’ll understand. Just turn the ignition on feel the power flow from the engine to your hand as you grip the wheel.

It is then you will know:

You’re in for a wild ride.

“1RADFOX”  Photo by Jullian Aiden Bravo

Behind The Wheel: 1986 “Foxbody” Mustang GT Just like the horse it was named after, the Ford Mustang is wild, fast and untamed. After its debut in 1964, the Mustang quickly became America's favorite pony car.

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There is something special about a well-maintained, classic car that gives it the ability to turn heads — especially one that has gone above and beyond restoration. Indeed, very few cars have the ability to leave a lasting impression on an individual.

When we see a modern sports car on the road we acknowledge its superiority and maybe take a snap for the Gram or perhaps imagine ourselves driving it. But when it comes to a ’60s, ’70s, ’80s or older model car we can’t help but take a moment to consider the sheer dedication put into the vehicle. We see and sometimes feel the passion emanating from it. We think of its history and the many stories the car and its owner have experienced.

That is exactly what one thinks when first witnessing this unique, classic 1976 Datsun 280z.

Munoz’s 1976 Datsun 280z sits comfortably at the Mary Vagle Nature Center in Fontana, CA.

It’s either that or, “Damn, what a badass car!”

Either reaction is perfectly acceptable.

This beautiful classic belongs to Victor Munoz, 20, of Fontana, Calif.  Interestingly enough, he didn’t plan on owning one. He was 18-years-old at the time and his father used Munoz’s own money to salvage the vehicle from certain death by rust and neglect. He wasn’t even totally in love with the car at first. He just liked it enough to keep it and restore it.

And restore it he did.

“My dad basically told me ‘this car is going to be a representation of you. I want you to have a car that you’re not going to throw away ASAP. Either pass it down or keep it forever.'”

The car was beat-up pretty good. Munoz buffed out the paint and customized the exterior to his preference. His license plate “MUYSEXZ” speaks for the car as a whole. But let’s go over some of its striking features.

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The number 25 represents Munoz’s birth date (Oct. 25) and the Japanese underneath translates to “MUYSEXZ.”

“It’s kind of a running gag. I wanted to put something extra on there and I wanted to make it look Japanese because that’s what the car is,” Munoz said. “Not to sound cocky or anything but I noticed people use “SEXY Z” or “SEXZ” so I feel like ever since I’ve had it I kind of influenced people to get something similar.”

The black hash marks on the side fenders were actually added to cover-up a scratch and the front splitter was custom made. Munoz installed the hood vents himself. The vents help keep the engine cool, especially since there’s something special under the hood. It’s easily overlooked by anyone with no real knowledge of Datsun but the hood vents were inspired by the Camaro, which is Victor’s dream car.

The rear louvers give it a classic sporty look and act as a heat deflector to create cooler temperatures in the cabin. Interestingly, the side view mirrors are from a Bullitt Mustang. The 3-piece black spoiler is original and the black side skirts were custom made. He’s running on 16-inch wheels.

The black and silver contrast act as unique color combination that give the car its character and style.

Next is the sunroof, which was sported by only a few 280z’s. The 280z (’75 – ’78) was essentially the same as its predecessors (e.g. 240z and 260z), mind a few exterior changes. To appeal to customers who understood that the 280z was no different, Datsun dealerships, especially those in California, took the initiative to install a sunroof.

“If you find one with a sunroof it’s considered rare,” Munoz said. “It’s basically factory but at the same time it’s not. I would say it’s a dealer-installed type of thing.”

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The cabin looked exactly the same upon purchase. It’s a two seater, coupé style, Japanese take on a sports car with leather door panels, leather seats, leather steering wheel and retro style gauges. Not a bad interior for a 41-year-old classic.

And no, it’s not boosted as the RPM gauge on the dash would imply.

After Munoz swapped his original 3.8 liter in-line 6 for a 5.7 liter carbureted v8 engine from an ’80s Camaro, the factory gauge gave out, and he needed a replacement.

So yes, he is running a Camaro v8 in a 280z — an ’80s v8 mind you but boy does it run.

A rebuilt v8 Camaro engine sits nice and cozy under the hood. Photo by Victor Munoz

It’s a stock Chevy 350 small block with a Chevy 700r4 transmission. He added a shifter kit which gives the car a neck-snapping kick. And with the bigger engine, Munoz needed to install a better coolant system. He has a Champion radiator with a Volvo fan hooked-up to a BMW thermostat. With the v8 engine the curb-weight is around 3,000 lbs. whereas the original curb-weight is around 2,800 lbs. He’s packing about 270-280 horsepower.

For the exhaust system the car is running Supper 44s by Flowmaster along with a custom glass pack and 2.5-inch piping to the headers.

It really is a bit of a “Frankenstein” car as Munoz puts it.

He named the car Maggie and for good reason.

After buying the car, Munoz found an envelope inside with a picture of a young girl.

“I was confused at first,” Munoz said. “Maybe they forgot to to throw it out or whatever but I found another picture with the same little girl at a car show with an older man.”

The man in the image was the previous owner of the car and he intended to pass it down to the girl but she passed away. Her name was Maggie.

“I guess he [the previous owner] tried to finish it for her but then he passed away. So as a tribute to them, I named the car Maggie for that girl. I plan on finishing it basically for that reason.”

The car is quite the head-turner. But to Munoz it’s no longer about attracting attention. To him it’s about about enjoying the car and building it to his style and taste.

“I still have plans for the future but this is where I wanted it to be for a good while. I’m at the point where I just drive it for my enjoyment. I don’t care to impress anymore. I’ve met a lot of people through this car so I’m grateful for that. But as far as compliments go, yeah, I do get the occasional thumbs-up on the freeway.”

The 1976 Datsun 280z AKA “Maggie.” Photo by Victor Munoz

I.E. Street Whips: 1976 Datsun 280z There is something special about a well-maintained, classic car that gives it the ability to turn heads — especially one that has gone above and beyond restoration.

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This picture was taken over the summer at the North Etiwanda Preserve.

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An old gauging station I came across while hiking

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Found this at the North Etiwanda Preserve.