The Smoking Tire Host’s Widebody Fox Mustang Needs a New Home
Special Service Package units are the true sleeper Fox Bodies, but this car has come a long way from its California Highway Patrol days.
Sometimes, a car becomes as famous as its well-known driver. Right away, Steve McQueen’s ’68 Mustang fastback comes to mind. But for those of us deeply entrenched in the automotive world – specifically the Mustang world, few cars are as high profile as Matt Farah’s 1988 Fox Body ‘Stang. And now, thanks to a charity listing on Bring a Trailer, it can be yours.
The host of The Smoking Tire, Farah bought the Mustang in 2014. Since then, the car has become one of the most formidable Foxes out there. From 1988 to 1994, this car was a California Highway Patrol SSP car. For those of you who are unfamiliar, Special Service Package cars are the true sleeper Fox Bodies. Lightweight, notchback body, cloth interior, upgraded suspension, a 5.0-liter V8 and a five-speed stick. But other than the body, this car has come a long way from its days with the CHiPs.
Stuff of legends
On the outside, it sits lowered on Bilstein springs, has a Saleen front air dam, massive fender flares, and has a deep black paint job. Under the hood sits a 302 cubic-inch Ford crate engine that’s good for 268 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque. That’s backed by a Tremec five-speed stick and Torsen limited-slip differential. And underneath it all, brakes and suspension come from a 2004 Mustang Cobra. That’s right, this Fox Body is rocking a fully-independent suspension.
Inside is all business too. Recaros replace factory buckets, complete with six-point harnesses. There’s a half cage in there, Ford’s stock instrument panel has been ditched for a set of Autometer gauges. A Hurst short-shifter handles gear changes and a Momo Prototipo replaces the factory tiller. And yes, we know it’s loud, but we love the funky upholstery Farah has added to the seats and door cards.
If you’re a Farah fan, chances are you’ve watched (and listened) to this car go from clean stocker to one-of-a-kind corner carver. And if you’ve got deep pockets, you can be the next steward of this famous Fox. At the time of writing, bidding sits at a cool $65,000 with six days to go. While that’s steep, 50 percent of the final purchase price will go to the charity of the buyer’s choice. If that isn’t incentive to bid, we don’t know what is. Good luck to all the bidders; we can’t wait to see where Farah’s Fox Body ends up next.
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