Need a little option info for the 79 pace car

[RACECAP97]

Hello again, I did buy the 79 pace car I was talking about in another post. It cost me $2000. Its all there and all original. Could anyone point me in the direction of a list of options for the pace car that were not standard on all pace cars. So far I noticed it has cruise, louvers, 8-track stereo, and A/C. One weird thing though. Under the driver side dash is a little knob right by my right knee for the amplifier. I was wondering if this is a factory item. I've never seen this before but who would bother adding an amp to an 8-track stereo. By the way i'm the third owner and I bought the car from a girl that has had it since she was 11yrs old. Has 92,000mi and is in very nice condition. Any help with the options pace cars could have other than the standard pace car equiptment would be greatly appreciated. I'm very pumped up about restoring this car. Thanks!!!

[Anonymous]

you should have inquired about 8 tracks also! unless you have some of your own. i should convince record labels to make 8 tracks, so i can have my favorite albums on them. then id get an 8 track player in my car. i want a cd radio too, those kick ass.

[Hissing Cobra]

Options vary with all cars, and Pace Cars could be had with a variety of them. Items such as your AM/FM 8-Track player, cruise control, louvers, and air conditioning were options that not all Pace Cars were equipped with. Other options that could be checked off include power door locks, tilt wheel, 4 way driver's seat (not sure if this was an option on the standard Recaro seats of the Pace Car), rear window defrost, rear window wiper, interval wipers, sunroof, and choice of powertrain (TURBO 4cyl/4-speed, or V-8/automatic). Pace Car decals could also be had, and were dealer installed if ordered.

Also, I wanted to let you know that your dash bezels are extremely rare. They are called "engine turned", and were only offered in the Pace Car, and '79-'81 Cobra's. It's also interesting to note that in 1979, power windows were not available. Good luck with your new toy!

[RACECAP97]

Anyone know how many different steering wheels came on the 79 pace car? Was it just two different types, one for the cars with cruise and one for the cars without? I've seen the original steering wheel for the pace cars without cruise. Just wanted to figure out if the one on my car is the original equiptment. I can't seem to find any good pictures of a steering wheel equiped with cruise. Also, what all came with the premium sound option besides the 8-track and rear speakers? Does it sound like this amplifier is original equiptment or something someone added aftermarket back in the day. I've never seen one before. The push pull knob under the dash by my right knee activates the amp, and it does work surprisingly. I appreciate all the help from the people at this site I think i'm gonna be here for good.

[Anonymous]

thats the "Premium Sound on/off switch and indicator light" its labeled in my 1980 capri operators guide, but my car doesnt have it. or maybe it used to, but not anymore, cus when i replaced all my speakers, they had stickers on em that said premium sound.

[Caprisvo]

I've seen the amp switch before.
If it is the same as I'm thinking, it's factory.

I think later versions of the premium sound system turned on the amp automatically.

Congrats' on the purchase, now get some pictures up! No excuses 'bout not having a digital camara, everyone knows someone who has one.
;)

[RACECAP97]

Well the problem isn't having the digital camera, i've got one of those handy. The problem is that I don't have the car handy. Its up in Steamboat Springs, CO. In case you don't know, that is in the middle of the Rockies and the car is sitting in about 3 1/2 ft of snow at the moment. Plans are in the works to have the snow removed Saturday and have the car picked up on Sunday. As long as we don't wreck on our way down the mountains with the trailer I should have pics up sometime next week if I can figure out how to post them. Thanks for the helpful info though, I appreciate it. :lol:

[Ricky C]

Hopefully it is not rusted out!!

Sounds like fun :)

[RACECAP97]

No worries, the car is up on blocks, for outdoor storage purposes so we got under it to make sure it wasn't rusted out. Plus, they don't use salt on the roads in Colorado so you don't find much for rust out here.

[Ricky C]

Very cool! :-D

My car has never been outside of California and Arizona...

[Anonymous]

My car has been in Ohio it's entire life. It is more rust than metal.

[RACECAP97]

Good deal. When I was living in Iowa everyone that I knew wanted to go to arizona to pick up a car. They salt the roads all winter long in Iowa so almost everything there is rusted. Same with Nebraska and Missouri.

[mitymerc]

Very cool! :-D

My car has never been outside of California and Arizona...

none of my cars have ever been in california or arizona!!!!!! LOL

although i did drive thru ohio once!!!

[Ricky C]

I once worked on a car that was from the saltbelt! We had to get a torch to hea hte bolts just to break the damn things loose, it was a 1995 Mustang GT

[RACECAP97]

Lol, i've worked on a lot of cars but never one from or near a salt bed. I'm a VW technician and I think since i've been doing it the worst car i've ever worked on was from Nebraska. Only a few years old but everything underneath was rusty as hell.

[69 resto-mod coupe]

Also, I wanted to let you know that your dash bezels are extremely rare. They are called "engine turned", and were only offered in the Pace Car, and '79-'81 Cobra's.


I guess I'm glad I took it off my old pace car before I sold it. I should e-bay it!!

[79indypacecar]

Congratulations on the Pace Car purchase. The knob on your car is for the premium sound option, standard on all Pace Cars. Your car has some nice options, ie.. 8-track, air, cruise. The Turbo-4 cars seem to have more options. My V8 car has tilt, no air, slats, sport steering wheel, power locks. I bought it last year from the original owner w/75K on the speedo. The Turbo-4 has tilt, cruise, rear window defrost and wiper, slats, and air. It is loaded but a basket case. Bought it from the crusher. I think the Pace Car is the car that brought the Mustang back, but I'm very partial to them. Good luck with the restoration.

[Anonymous]

what no props for the guy that bought a brand new truck to haul that pace car home!!!!!!!! gee little brothers.

[boss82gt]

'79 does list premium sound as an option for all mustangs and as said earlier std in the pace car. It was available with cassett also. Other than the amp I don't know what all is different off hand, but it is a whopping 12 watt system.

Salt is just terrible in Wisconsin here! The '79 turbo cobra is very rusty!! complete floor, brake/fuel lines, and the worst inner fender aprons. Very big job. Amazing the outer body is in fine shape.? But a little blood, sweat, tears, beer, asprin, cussing, and lots of cash will prevail... :lol: