The 1981 Mustang was largely unchanged from 1980. There was a new Traction-Lok, power side windows became available, and reclining seats became standard equipment. The biggest new option of the 1981 Mustang was the availability of a T-Top in both hatchback and notchback bodied Mustangs. Very few T-Top coupes were made, and if you see one it’s very difficult to determine if it’s an OEM T-Top without a verified build sheet.
The 2.3L was listed as an available option in 1981 – availability of the turbo engine became limited later in the model year. Reliability issues reported from the 1980 Mustang had not been resolved. We wouldn’t see the 2.3L turbo in a Mustang again until 1983.
On the performance front – the 1981 Cobra returns to the lineup. It was only available with the de-stroked 4.2L V8, the 2.3L turbo was discontinued. The 1981 Cobra used a 2.26:1 final gear ratio to make the MPG Police happy. The 4.2L V8 was only available with a 3 speed automatic transmission.
Many of the 1980 options were available – rear-window louvers, and the Carriage roof – and there was a new trim level available for the coupe. The ‘S’ trimmed Mustang came with limited options and the base 2.3L engine. Wheel options were unchanged from 1980: Standard models were equiped with 13″ steel wheels with wheel covers. The sport package wheel provided (13″) steel wheels with a polished trim ring and black plastic center cap. 14″ options were available as an option for Ghia models as turbine or wire wheel cover – and a 14″ cast aluminum 16-spoke was optional for all models except Cobra. The TRX 15.5 X 5.9″ wheels returned for their final model year as standard equipment for the Cobra, and optional for all other models.
| Performance Statistics | ||||
| 1981 | Horsepower | Torque | 0-60 | 1/4 Mile |
| 2.3L 2V | 88 @ 4,800 rpm | 118 @ 2,800 rpm | n/a | n/a |
| 3.3L 1V 6cyl | 91 @ 3,800 rpm | 160 @ 1,600 rpm | n/a | n/a |
| 4.2L 2V V-8 | 115 hp @3,400 rpm | 195 @ 2,200 rpm | 11.20* | 18.10 @ 77 mph |
| * Car and Driver (October, 1981)† California Emissions specific 4.2L V-8: 120 hp @ 3,400 rpm and 205 tq @ 2,600 rpm | ||||
| Production Numbers | Retail Prices | ||
| 2dr Sedan: 3dr Hatchback: 2dr Sedan Ghia: 3dr Hatchback Ghia: Total: |
77,458 77,399 13,422 14,273 182,552 |
‘S’ Coupe: Standard Coupe: Ghia Coupe: Standard Hatchback: Ghia Hatchback: Cobra |
$5,897.00 $6,363.00 $6,786.00 $6,566.00 $6,901.00 $7,641.00 |
| Available Exterior Colors | Interior Trim Colors | ||||
| Paint | Code | Color | |||
| Black | 1C | Beryl | |||
| Bright Bittersweet | 2G | Black | |||
| Bright Red | 27 | Caramel | |||
| Bright Yellow | 6N | Cordovan | |||
| Dark Blue Metallic | 3L | Cream Gold | |||
| Dark Cordovan Metallic | 8N | Dark Red | |||
| Light Pewter Metallic | 1T | Dove Gray | |||
| Medium Bittersweet Metallic | 8A | Light Fawn | |||
| Medium Blue Metallic | 3H | Light Pewter | |||
| Medium Dark Brown | 5Q | Medium Fawn | |||
| Medium Pewter Metallic | 17 | Medium Pine | |||
| Medium Red | 24 | Medium Red | |||
| Pastel Chamois | 86 | Pewter | |||
| Polar White | 9D | Sand | |||
| Vacquero | |||||
| White / Bittersweet | |||||
| White / Black | |||||
| White / Blue | |||||
| White / Fawn | |||||
| White / Red | |||||
| 1981 Mustang VIN Decoder | ||
| Example: 1FA|B|P|12|D|6|B|F|0000011FA – Ford Motor Company B – Restraint System P – Passenger Car 12 – Body Code (See below) D – Engine Code (See below) 6 – Check Code B – Year (B=1981) F – Plant (Dearborn) 100001 – Consecutive unit number |
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| Engine Codes: A – 2.3L 2V 4cyl 88hp B – 3.3L 1V 6cyl 85hp D – 4.2L 2V 8cyl 119hp |
Body codes: 10/14 – 2dr Sedan 15 – 3dr Hatchback 12 – 2dr Ghia Sedan 13 – 3dr Ghia Hatchback |
|
| Location: Stamped on the plate which is riveted to the driver’s side of the dash, visible through windshield; the certification label is located on the rear face of the driver’s door. | ||
Wheelbase for the 1981 Mustang was listed at 100.4″ with a 179.1″ total length. 3-Door models boasted of over 32 cu. ft. of cargo room. By modern standards, the 1981 Mustang was petite with a curb weight of 2,625 lbs for 2-door coupes, and 2,658 lbs for the 3-door hatchbacks.
UNIQUE OPTIONS FOR THE 1981 MUSTANG:
A new ($916.00) option for Mustang was the T-Top (or, as indicated in sales materials, the “T-Roof.”) “Mustang gives you a wide range of models trim packages and powerteams. And with exciting options like Recaro bucket seats, 5-speed manual overdrive or the rakish new T-Roof, you can go your own way.”
1981 MUSTANG COBRA :
1981 was the last year of the Cobra for a while – and thanks to a lack of choice for power that could be considered a mercy killing. Appearance options from the 1979 Pace Car and 1980 Cobra returned in 1981, as did the Marchal fog lights, and a rear-facing, non-functional hood scoop.
Cobra T-shirt: $19.50 while supplies last. Click to select shirt color and size.
Black quarter window louvres returned as did the graphics package with the ‘Cobra’ decal on the quarter window, and a striping package running the length of the car – tying into a unique Cobra rear spoiler. The absolutely awesome graphics package was still available, this year as an $95 option. The Cobra package was $1,075 High-backed Recaro seats added another optional $776.00.
FORD MUSTANG RETURNS TO RACING :
After the 1971 championship season for Parnelli Jones in the Boss 302 – Ford scaled back its support of professional motorsports in favor of focusing attention on a challenging business environment and struggling economy. Thankfully, 1981 saw Ford return to its racing roots. April 12, 1981 the Miller Mustang overcame qualifying issues and navigated through a field of BMWs, Porsches, and Datsuns at the IMSA Camel GT race at Road Atlanta Raceway. The turbocharged 1.7L 4-cylinder engine creating almost 700 horsepower, and piloted by Klaus Ludwig stormed through the field to within 0.14 seconds of the leading Porsche 935 at the finish line – boldly announcing Ford’s return and commitment to auto racing.
Ford Racing History
References
Wikipedia Ford Mustang
Ford Sales Brochure
The Official Mustang 5.0 1979 through 1993 Technical Reference & Performance Handbook, Kirshenbaum – Bentley Publishers
Fox-Body Mustang Recognition Guide 1979-1993, Shreiner & Sessler – T-5 Design