Photos reveal the all-new Ford Mustang -- of 1979

If you need further proof that everything old is new again, just look at the engine options for the upcoming 2015 Ford Mustang. That optional 2.3-liter turbocharged inline-four is generating a lot of buzz; it's expected to help keep the car sporty while cutting down on fuel consumption, and it's going to help the Mustang make headway in overseas markets.

Adding a turbo-four to the pony car equation isn't exactly novel: The Blue Oval put a forced-induction motor with the same cylinder count, configuration and displacement in the 1979 Mustang. And Autoweek was there to let you know all the details in the May 5, 1978 issue.

Replacing the Mustang II, the 1979 Mustang sat on the Fox platform (a platform that endured, in modified form, through 2004). Buyers got a standard 2.3-liter four, with a 2.8-liter V6 the next step up; the range-topper was a 5.0-liter V8. As in the '15 Mustang, the turbo-four was actually positioned a step below the V8 -- we reported that it produced around 138 hp to the V8's 139 (actual outputs were closer to 132 hp and 140 hp, respectively).

As our preview photos show, the '79 Mustang got clean, simple lines that could have easily been the product of a European design house--if European design houses were in the habit of producing really boring cars. The sporty Cobra trim level attempted to spice things up with a fake hood scoop, but the overall look was more than a little bit vanilla. Still, the car represented a step away from the Mustang II--and a step forward for a venerable nameplate.

Other interesting news from the May 5, 1978, issue include Honda's plans to build a plant in the United States, making it the first Japanese automaker to produce cars here. The Marysville, Ohio plant opened in 1982.

Autoweek's sneak peek at the 1979 Ford Mustang

The Ford Mustang turns 50 years old during 2014; to celebrate the many lives of America's favorite pony car, we'll be posting selections from our archives. Check out our Mustang mini-site where you'll find news, road tests, sneak peeks and even classic Mustang ads from the pages of Autoweek. We'll also have all the latest news and photos surrounding the redesigned 2015 Ford Mustang as it rolls out, so stay tuned.

By Graham Kozak