All About the Notchback Mustang

All About the Notchback Mustang
Written by Elaine Duvet
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
Are you a fan of the notchback
Ford
Mustang’s flat trunk and rumbling 5.0-liter engine? Or are you wondering what the heck a notchback is? We’ve got you covered. 
Jerry
, the
trustworthy super app
for car insurance shopping, dives into the distinctive history and features of the notchback Mustang.

How the notchback came to be

During its 1964 to 1993 run, the
Ford Mustang
was available in a formal coupe and fastback roof style. In 1974, the fastback changed to the hatchback with the second generation.
Known as the bread-and-butter car, the formal coupe featured a simple, practical body shape and square shoulders. It offered improved rear visibility, a larger trunk, and a lower price. Customers also appreciated the stiffer construction. 
In 1979, the Fox Body generation began, making its debut with a notchback and a hatchback. Ford prided itself in having a Mustang for every type of person and any type of purpose. 
The American company had the ambition to build cars on a global scale and built this generation on the Fox platform. The versatility on the Fox platform included utilitarian station wagons, luxury cars, and sporty Mustangs. The body got its stiffness and strength from the body shell instead of a separate frame, a weight-saving and cost-effective option. 
Carryovers from the Mustang second-generation, hatchbacks and notchbacks were both equally as popular. The generation ran from 1979 to 1993, and when the Mustang convertible made a comeback in 1983, it couldn’t touch their sales numbers.
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Hatchback vs. notchback Mustang: Appearance

When it comes to Mustangs, we consider a hatchback a “three-door” Mustang, as it features a rear door that swings open to its cargo area. The easy access makes reaching for trunk items a breeze. While they’re more common now, Ford had only made hatchbacks for a few years when the Fox Body was introduced. 
The body lines of the Fox Body hatchback may remind you of the first-gen fastback. We’ve even seen some Fox Body hatches with rear window louvers, throwing it back to old times. The Mustang hatch offered triple the amount of storage space, and 32.7 cubic feet of storage space with the rear seats folded. 
To most people, a notchback Mustang looks just like a regular coupe. At the time, Ford also referred to the vehicle as a sedan. The trunk is standard, and there are only 10 cubic feet of storage space. 
But make no mistake, this ain’t your average Taurus or Camry. The term notchback refers to a vehicle with a short deck or trunk, and a long hood. The design results in a “stepped” rear-end look. The notchback name comes from the V-cut indentation.
MORE: A '90s Classic: SN95 Mustang

Hatchback vs. notchback Mustang: Performance

The notchback Mustang offers a couple of advantages over the hatchback. The notchback weighs 34 pounds less than the hatchback, with a 1979 base model notchback weighing about 2,516 pounds.
After its 1987 exterior refresh, the notchback Mustang came in at 2,724 pounds, which was 58 pounds lighter than the hatch. While it may not seem like much, every ounce matters when it comes to a race. 
The notchback Mustang also has better body stiffness. Body flex is the Fox Body Mustang’s biggest attribute and many online reports claim that the notchback’s rigid body is far superior to its hatchback counterpart. 
Both types are available in aero and four-eyed styles and offer 5.0-liter engines. Back in the day, notchback Mustangs were cheaper, but now they both cost a pretty penny. 

Which one is right for you?

No matter what kind of body the Fox Body Mustang comes in, it looksgood. Preference may depend on the available units, trims, and engines that differ between each style.
If you’re seeking a Fox Body for a performance build, a notchback might be right up your alley. Notchbacks are known for their impressive drag racing and can be up to 100 pounds lighter. The stiffer body also aids most performance applications. 
While some models (aero models in particular) don’t offer the best engine options, that won’t matter if you
plan on swapping it out
anyway. Check out the Mustang LX 5.0s that comes with a factory V8 engine.
It’s much easier to find a Fox Body hatchback, especially if you’re looking at the later years. They’re fun to drive on the track and have ample storage for picking up flea market furniture in the city. If you’re a fan of the performance editions, most were hatchbacks, so getting yourself a Mustang hatch may be a no-brainer. 
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