The 1993 Mustang was the final edition of Mustang's third generation. This was a difficult year for consumers simply because some still loved the third generation Mustang while others were anxiously awaiting the new and improved fourth generation. However, the third generation lasted for 15 years and as a result had a big influence on Mustang. The successes gained during Mustang's third generation forever changed the future of this pony car. There were many lasting impressions from the 1993 Mustang, including the Cobra, which will be discussed to honor and remember the end of a great generation.
1993 Mustang Lineup
1993 Mustang GT
The biggest change the 1993 Mustang experienced was an optional CD player with a considerably more powerful stereo. The next biggest change were the 1993 1/3 convertible models that were produced. It is said these limited edition convertibles were produced as a "pick me up" for low sales. Fortunately, 1993 was the last year of low sales for Mustang as 1994 resulted in an amazing spike in sales that sent Mustang catapulting into popularity again.
The limited edition LX convertibles were similar to the 1992 limited edition LX convertibles, however they boasted different colors. One was completely white with a white exterior, white convertible top, white interior leather, white rear spoiler, and white Pony rims. The next limited edition LX was yellow and had two options for interior and the convertible top. One was a black top with black leather interior while the other was a white top with white leather interior. Both of these sported a yellow spoiler and chrome Pony rims. There were 1,500 white LX convertibles and 1,503 yellow convertibles produced as 1993 models.
Powertrain and Performance
The Mustang's horsepower was lower in 1993 than in the rest of the preceding '90s, which really had more to do with how Ford began measuring horsepower rather than an actual reduction in horsepower. In fact, the 1990-93 5.0 LX Mustangs all had the same horsepower. The public had a difficult time understanding this, but there were really no changes made. There were some other small changes made to the engine from 1987-1990 that were never measured in the horsepower so this, too, made up for part of the misconception regarding the change in Mustang's horsepower for 1993.
Colors, Production, and Prices
The 1993 Mustang was available in black, bright blue, bright red, reef blue, electric red, royal blue, vibrant white, silver, and bright calypso green. The Cobra and Cobra R had some colors all their own. The Cobra boasted black, vibrant red, and teal metallic which were unavailable on the other models. The Cobra R was the only one to sport the vibrant red clearcoat.
The production numbers for the 1993 Mustang are as follows. The Standard Coupe had a production of 24,851, the Standard Convertible had a production of 27,300, the Standard Hatchback 57,084, the Cobra 4,993 and the Cobra R with the least production at 107. The total 1993 Mustang production, not sales, was 114,228.
The prices for the 1993 Mustang remained affordable and are as follows:
Coupe - $11,159
Convertible - $17,988
Hatchback - $11,644
Cobra - $18,505
Cobra R - $25,692
As you can see, prices continued to rise however the Mustang still remained one of America's most affordable cars.
Final Thoughts
The Mustang had repeatedly been voted the best vehicle for the price and as a result prices rose throughout the '90s. Despite that the prices remained affordable and most Mustang lovers could buy the pony car of their dreams. The end of the third generation was important to the Mustang, however it set the stage for many new and improved changes that would keep Mustang at the front of the pony car war for years to come.
