Most people think Fox body equals Mustang, but that’s like saying pizza only comes with pepperoni. Ford built some seriously cool rides on this platform that deserve way more love than they get. These ten alternatives might just change your mind about what makes a great Fox body car. Spoiler alert: some are cooler than Mustangs.

Ford Fairmont Futura

Fox’s history started here in 1978. With its squared-off design, the Fairmont Futura offered a lightweight build and easy mod potential. Drag racers love it for that reason. Many parts from a Mustang fit right in, making this an underrated base for performance builds.

Mercury Zephyr Z-7

A close sibling to the Fairmont, the Zephyr Z-7 added flair with its sporty two-door coupe setup. The Fox chassis made it highly tunable. Inside, rare trims had bucket seats and a floor shifter. It kept things modest on the outside while carrying potential under the hood.

Ford Thunderbird Turbo Coupe

This Thunderbird brought a turbocharged 2.3L engine to the party. It borrowed Mustang roots but added its own twist with independent rear suspension in later years. Combining luxury touches with balanced performance, it carved a niche as one of the earliest American coupes to embrace forced induction.

Mercury Cougar XR-7

From 1980 to 1988, this Cougar shared its DNA with the Thunderbird. It offered V6 and V8 engines, a plush interior, and a hint of street performance. The XR-7 trim turned it up a notch with a sportier suspension and more aggressive gauge layout.

Ford LTD 

A mid-size sedan with the soul of a muscle car, the LTD came with a 5.0 V8 in its police-package form. Built on the Fox platform, it handled well for its size. Behind the unassuming exterior was a setup that law enforcement trusted and enthusiasts later admired.

Ford Granada

Closing out the series, these Granadas offered classic shapes and Fox-based engineering. You could choose your engine, from a straight-six to a V8, and even find a coupe with T-tops. Custom builders liked its understated design and solid bones for sleeper projects.

Lincoln Continental 

This Fox-based luxury sedan didn’t stick around long. It had a rear-wheel-drive layout, V6 or V8 options, and a blocky, stately silhouette. Underneath that formal look lived Mustang components. Today, collectors are beginning to take notice of its unique platform mix.

Lincoln Mark VII LSC

Lincoln dressed this coupe in class but gave it Mustang muscle underneath. The 5.0L High Output V8 kept it quick off the line. A digital dash and adjustable air suspension pushed the LSC into the future. It handled like a sports car, but rode like a cruiser.

Mercury Capri

Capris from this era often flew under the radar, even though they shared Mustang performance traits. Their styling leaned European, especially with wider fenders and unique rooflines. Customizers liked how easily they could mix and match parts, making it a favorite for sleeper builds.

Ford Durango

A curious hybrid of coupe and pickup, this Fox-platform oddity came from National Coach Works and started life as a Fairmont Futura. Fewer than 300 rolled off the line. With its lightweight frame and strange appeal, the Durango turned into a low-production legend for collectors.