Introduction

Since 1964, the Ford Mustang has been one of the most well known performance cars in the United States and throughout the world, but with an ever increasing cost of gasoline and a growing take rate on the more economy-minded models, the V6 variant of the mighty Mustang has quickly developed a popular following.  Many Mustang owners desire the feel of raw horsepower, but the look of the Mustang is sought after by many people who are more concerned about looks than they are high performance, and it is that exact group that has made the V6 Mustangs so popular.  Throughout the history of the Mustang, there has always been an economy engine option, with the 170 cubic inch inline-six being the original engine packed into the 1964.5 base model Mustangs.  The next nine model years would see both a 200 and a 250 cubic inch inline-six cylinder engine, but this was in the era of ultra high horsepower big blocks, so there was never any real consideration made to increase the power of the base models.  But, with a fuel crisis looming over the US automotive industry, things were about to change.

The First V6

The first V6 to find its way into a Ford Mustang was during an era where the Mustang itself was more “show than go”. 1974 was a year of ‘firsts’ for the model, with the introduction of the first Mustang II, the first Mustang 4-cylinder, and the first time America was offered the new Ford V6.  Measuring 171 cubic inches (2.8 liters), and making a balmy 105 horsepower, this new V6 was actually the flagship engine for 1974, as it was the biggest and most powerful engine offered that year.  This would also mark the last year that there would not be a V8 offering for the Mustang.

In 1975 and 1976, the 171 cubic inch engine returned in identical form to the original year, but it was replaced as the top-of-the-line engine by the introduction of the now-famous 5.0 liter V8.  The V6 offered only 35 less horsepower than the V8, and remained a power option on the base model Mustang II, as well as an economy option for the higher end Mach 1 and Cobra (in 1976).

1977 brought about a drop in horsepower of the 5.0L engine to 134 horsepower, and the V6 followed suit with a drop to 103 horsepower.  The 1978 171 cubic inch V6 was the exact same as the 1977 engine, with 103 horsepower.  The V6, like the other two engines offered, would be offered in every trim option in the final two years of the Mustang II, with a big change to come from Ford for the 1979 model year.

A Brief Absence

In 1979, Ford Motor Company released the first of the Fox Body Mustangs; a body style that would remain popular for the next 14 years.  The premium engine was the 5.0L V8, followed by the new turbocharged 4-cylinder engine which made only 8 less horsepower than the V8.  The next most powerful engine was the 109 horsepower 2.8L V6, followed by the 2.3L 4-cylinder, and finally the 3.3L inline-6, offering only 85 horsepower.  The 3.3L I6 was being phased in as the 6-cylinder engine option due to a production shortage of the 2.8L engine blocks, and for the 1980 model year, the V6 was gone.  The 1980 mode year did offer a pair of 3.3L I6s, with one of them making 3 extra horsepower when mated to the automatic transmission.  The 3.3L I6 would be the only 6-cylinder offering for the Mustang for 1981 and 1982, and for the 1983 model year, the seemingly large 3.8L V6 would return.  This new, enlarged V6 would make 112 horsepower, offering a nice jump from the 85 horsepower made by the 3.3L I6.  The V6 was an improvement over the 3.3L inline engine, but it could not compete with the 145 horsepower Turbo GT.

In 1984, the 3.8L V6 returned, but it was overshadowed by a pair of V8s and a pair of turbocharged 4-cylinders.  The base engine was the 2.3L 4-cylinder, making only 88 horsepower, so economy minded buyers would lean more toward that.  Those concerned with performance could choose from the 175 horsepower 5.0L V8 or the SVO turbo 4-cylinder, and as a step down from those, there was a 165 horsepower 5.0L.  There was also still a 145 horsepower turbocharger 4-cylinder offered in the Turbo GT models.  Because of this wide variety of engines the V6 became ‘lost’ in the Mustang lineup.  1985 saw the removal of the Turbo GT, as well as a jump in the power of the high end 5.0L V8 and the SVO turbocharged I4, although the 165 horsepower 5.0L still offered a mid-level option.  This made more room for the mid-range 120 horsepower V6, and in 1986, the 165 horsepower 5.0L V8 was dropped from the lineup.  This left just the 200 horsepower 5.0L, the 205 horsepower turbo 4, the 120 horsepower 3.8L V6, and the 88 horsepower, naturally aspirated 4-cylinder.  Even though the V6 stood in its own power range now, the typical Mustang buyer is either looking for performance or efficiency, in which case the highest or lowest powered Mustangs were preferred.  This caused poor sales, and for the second time in decade, the V6 would not return for the following year.

4-eyes, V6, Gone

The release of the 1987 Mustang was intended to be a slight refresh on the fox body platform, and the most noticeable change was the grille and headlight area, which now had a similar look to the SVO Mustangs.  Another big change was the number of engine offerings.  Unlike the early fox bodies, which saw up to six options at a time, there were only two choices for the 1987 Mustang.  New Mustang buyers had to choose between performance and economy, with the 88 horsepower 2.3L I4 and the 225 horsepower 5.0L V8 being the only options.  This portion of the fox body generation would become one of the most popular eras of the Mustang since the classic days, and even today, the fox body remains one of the most sought after Mustangs.  However, during the rest of this now-popular generation, there would not be a V6 Mustang built, until the next model refresh in 1993.

The Rise of the “Sixer”

1993 marked the first full scale redesign of the Mustang since 1979, and that generation was a popular one, although not so much for the V6 Mustang.  Several stints of 6-cylinder-free model years caused the V6 Mustang to almost be forgotten, but with the release of the 1994 Mustang, riding on the new SN95 platform, the V6 returned with more power than ever.  The new V6, like the last V6, measured 3.8 liters, but this new engine made 145 horsepower; 25 more horsepower than the previous 3.8L.  The difference between this new V6 and any other V6 was that the 1994 V6 Mustang was the first V6 to be the base model.  The fact that the V6 was finally the exclusive base model engine, combined with the fact that it was more powerful than any prior Mustang, likely helped to contribute to the budding interest by the performance market in V6 Mustangs.  Some people often question why there are lower performance models of cars meant to be powerful, but much of the Mustang’s success is due to those who are interesting in things like better fuel economy and lower insurance rates.  Also, many parents with children who are new to driving, and really want a Mustang, are more prone to pick the seemingly harmless V6 Mustang, but thanks to the SN95’s 145 horsepower, the Mustang began offering a base model that could still offer some speed.  Specialty aftermarket companies like Saleen and Roush Industries began offering performance upgrades for the base model Mustangs, making them even more appealing to those who wanted a little more kick from their pony.

1995 didn’t offer any changes to the 3.8L V6 Mustang, but almost every option available on the GT and GTS, shy of the V8 engine, were available on the base model Mustang. This made the V6 models even more attractive, as a V6 owner could now have every amenity of the GT with the exception of the extra 70 horsepower.

1996 brought about a 5 horsepower increase in the V6 Mustang, but nothing else changed.  1996 was the introductory year of the 4.6L modular motor in the Mustang, so even though the base model got a few more ponies, the GT got all of the press for 1996, even though the 1996 GT, especially when mated to an automatic transmission, is one of the slowest Mustang GTs made.  There was no change to the V6, GT or Cobra for the 1997 model year, and the only change for the Mustang as a model for 1998 was the addition of 10 more horsepower in the GT.

The Edge of Performance

The SN95 proved to be too heavy to compete with the other rear-wheel-drive performance cars in the domestic market with the power offered, so in 1999, an altered version of the SN95 platform, named the New Edge platform, was released.  This new Mustang had similar appearance cues, obviously taken from the 94-98 Mustangs, but now with a more angular stance.  From the hood to the wheel wells to the rear panel, the New Edge Mustangs had a bulkier, more muscular look.  Along with the more muscular look came more muscle under the hood, as the GT got a jump in power to 260 horsepower, the Cobra got an advertised jump to 320 horsepower (although dyno tests proved that they only made 305hp, causing a huge recall), and to finish it off, even the base model V6 Mustang got a kick in the pants, up to 193 horsepower.  The already growing popularity of the V6 Mustang was bolstered by the fact that they now offered similar power to the prior years’ GT models.  This new 193 horsepower Mustang was no longer just the base model; it was now referred to as the standard Mustang.  The standard Mustang still carried all of the options of the Mustang GT, with the only visual difference being the badging and the dual exhaust found on the GT.  The standard Mustang would remain the same for 2000, 2001, and 2002, but for 2003, the Pony package was also offered with the 3.8L V6.  The Pony package was originally only offered in the state of Florida for 2001 and 2002, but the popularity showed Ford that it could make for a useful trim line nationwide.  The Pony package was basically a standard Mustang, with the addition of the GT hood scoop, a set of “Stampeding Pony” body stripes, and a wheel upgrade (similar to that found on the 1994-1998 SVT Cobra models).  The 2003 standard and Pony package Mustangs were offered with the option of a 1999 Cobra-style hood and 1999 Cobra wheels, without the SVT center caps.  There were no major changes for the beginning of the 2004 V6 Mustangs, as the standard and Pony package were back in the same form as 2003, although the Pony package no longer included the “Stampeding Pony” stripes.  All V6 and GT Mustangs carried 40^th anniversary badges, and in June, the V6 Mustangs built got the improved 3.9L engine, which still made 193 horsepower.  This new engine did not offer any increases in power or efficiency, so it seemed like a relatively fruitless change.

Retro Look, New Performance

When Ford Motor Company debuted their conceptual drawings and later concept models of the upcoming Mustang in 2004, they took the world by storm.  Never before had there been a car that received such spot-on styling as the new S197 Mustang, and American automotive enthusiasts young and old fell in love with the new Mustang.  The Mustang GT got a jump in boost in performance, packing 300 horsepower, and the V6 model, offered in a few different forms, now came packed with a 210 horsepower, 4.0L engine.  All of the V6 Mustangs could be chosen with either a 5-speed manual, or automatic transmission.  The Sports Appearance Package was available, and it added a rear spoiler and lower rocker stripe.  The V6 Deluxe package included 4-wheel disc brakes, stainless steel exhaust, power doors, power locks, power windows, and other basic amenities such as AM/FM CD player and cloth seats.  Those who wanted a little more luxury out of their V6 Mustang could opt for the V6 Premium, which added the Shaker 500 audio system with a 6-disc changer, 6-way power driver’s seat, and a leather interior upgrade.  Other available upgrades, like the grille mounted fog lights, make the V6 models very difficult to separate from the GT models, with the exception of the dual exhaust, but with the booming aftermarket for the new V6 models, many dual exhaust kits are offered for V6 Mustangs. There were no alterations to the Mustangs, whether equipped with the V6 or V6 for 2006 or 2007, shy of minor of items such as new wheel options.  Rumors of a high horsepower V6 coming in the near future have been flying, and it is a sure bet that the popularity of the Mustangs once consider an economy model will continue to increase as Ford Motor Company continues blurring the line between economy and high performance.