As the Mustang’s birthday celebration faded away, there were very few changes in the Ford Mustang for the next three production years. The only are where changes were dramatic were the sales figures, which plunged at an alarming rate. This was not due to any action on the part of Ford, but rather to the beginning of a sharp recession.

The fed required “passive restraints” in all vehicles beginning with the 1990 production year and the Mustang complied by mounting an airbag in the steering wheel. Unfortunately, this caused Ford to discard the tilt wheel option. There were other minor upgrades such as door map pockets and leather interior trim as well as clear coat paint.

The “Limited Edition” LX 5.0L convertible was introduced in mid January. With a base price of $18,949, it featured GT aluminum wheels, white leather interior, white convertible top, and a deep emerald green clearcoat metallic paint job. There was also a special value package available that offered AC, cruise control, AM/FM/cassette stereo and a clock.

Mustang prices continued to climb but they managed to stay competitive with a four-cylinder LX notchback hitting $9,500 and the GT convertible staying under $19,000. However, not even these competitive prices could keep Mustang sales afloat as volume plunged to 128,189, nearly 50 percent.

The 1989 production year for the Ford Mustang also marked the Pony car’s 25th anniversary and enthusiasts saddled up for a hot new Mustang to whet their appetites. Interestingly though, even though it was an anniversary for the Mustang, there was no real fanfare, no special tricked out Stang unveiled in celebration. Rumors circulated about a very special GT, but nothing emerged right away. The world would just have to wait a little longer. Instead, Ford marked the anniversary with events as opposed to a new model.

However, what Ford did not do in celebration of the Mustang’s 25th anniversary, Steve Saleen did do. In 1989, he created “Saleen’s Super Car,” a V-8 LX convertible or hatchback that offered a whopping 292 horsepower that was street legal in all 50 states. This souped up custom Mustang offered enthusiasts the old school pony power that they loved. Each car that Saleen customized was different which caused price variances, but Saleen became a legend in the Mustang world and his creations were highly sought after prizes.

Recent consumer trends prompted Ford to turn the LX V-8 package into a distinct model trio that was referred to as LX 5.0L Sport. It also included the GT’s adjustable sport seats. Convertibles were not left out either as they received standard power windows.

1988 was a big year for the Ford Mustang. Road & Track named the Mustang GT one of the “Ten Best Cars in the World” while Car and Driver also included it on their “Ten Best” cars list. Nevertheless, it was Auto Week’s Christopher A. Sawyer nod at the Ford Mustang that summed it all up, “Mustang was born a legend, but it is value for the performance dollar that really draws the customers through the door. Grudgingly or not, there is something that folks at both Ford and GM can agree on, the Mustang is the best value for the money in its market segment.”

As for actual changes in the Stang, there were only two. The LX received a higher capacity battery while it lost the T-bar roof from its list of options. With convertible sales still going strong, the T-roof just really was not necessary any longer.

Mustang sales in 1988 rocketed to 211,225 despite the fact that sticker prices were steadily climbing, some as much as $900. The four cylinder LX notchback and hatchback were the only two cars that started below the $10,000 price tag, with the GT hatch starting at $13,272 and the ragtop starting at $17, 512. Just goes to show you, you cannot hold down the pony.