Factory paint code chart by model year
Fox-era codes almost always appear as two characters on the door tag. Cross-reference the model year first — code 2B means Bright Red on a 1985 GT but the same label can map to a different formula elsewhere in Ford's line.
1979 Model Year
| # | Color name | Ford code | Color swatch | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | White | 9D |
#fdfdf3
|
Pace Car base color |
| 2 | Black | 1C |
#000000
|
— |
| 3 | Bright Red | 2B |
#D11A2A
|
— |
| 4 | Pewter Metallic | 1E |
#8d8f8a
|
Pace Car accent option |
| 5 | Medium Vaquero Glow | 5W |
#8f382d
|
— |
| 6 | Bright Yellow | 6E |
#e0c544
|
— |
| 7 | Medium Blue Metallic | 3G |
#3B6E9C
|
— |
1980 Model Year
| # | Color name | Ford code | Color swatch | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Polar White | 9A |
#F8F9FA
|
— |
| 2 | Black | 1C |
#000000
|
— |
| 3 | Bright Red | 2B |
#D11A2A
|
— |
| 4 | Silver Metallic | 1G |
#81848d
|
— |
| 5 | Medium Blue Metallic | 3G |
#3B6E9C
|
— |
| 6 | Bittersweet Glow | 8D |
#ac421f
|
— |
1981 Model Year
| # | Color name | Ford code | Color swatch | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | White | 9D |
#fcfcf2
|
— |
| 2 | Black | 1C |
#000000
|
— |
| 3 | Bright Red | 2B |
#D11A2A
|
— |
| 4 | Silver Metallic | 1G |
#81848d
|
— |
| 5 | Medium Blue Metallic | 3G |
#3B6E9C
|
— |
| 6 | Meduim Pewter Metallic | 1Y |
#757D80
|
— |
1982 Model Year
| # | Color name | Ford code | Color swatch | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | White | 9D |
#fcfcfc
|
— |
| 2 | Black | 1C |
#000000
|
Crucial first-year GT color |
| 3 | Bright Red | 2B |
#D11A2A
|
Iconic for 1982 GT revival |
| 4 | Medium Glow Blue | 3F |
#4A7CA7
|
— |
| 5 | Medium Charcoal Metallic | 1B |
#7c7f85
|
— |
| 6 | Silver Metallic | 1G |
#848790
|
— |
1983 Model Year
| # | Color name | Ford code | Color swatch | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | White | 9D |
#fbfbfb
|
— |
| 2 | Black | 1C |
#000000
|
— |
| 3 | Bright Red | 2B |
#D11A2A
|
— |
| 4 | Medium Charcoal Metallic | 1B |
#7c7f85
|
— |
| 5 | Silver Metallic | 1G |
#7f828b
|
— |
| 6 | Polar Blue Metallic | 3D |
#3d4c5f
|
— |
1984 Model Year
| # | Color name | Ford code | Color swatch | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oxford White | 9L |
#fcfcfc
|
Base color for 20th Anniversary Edition |
| 2 | Black | 1C |
#000000
|
— |
| 3 | Canyon Red | 2E |
#c72900
|
Exclusive stripe accent color on 20th Anniv. |
| 4 | Silver Metallic | 1G |
#7f828b
|
— |
| 5 | Medium Charcoal Metallic | 1B |
#7c7f85
|
— |
| 6 | Academy Blue | 3E |
#2C435E
|
SVO early availability color |
1985 Model Year
| # | Color name | Ford code | Color swatch | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oxford White | 9L |
#fdfdfd
|
— |
| 2 | Black | 1C |
#000000
|
— |
| 3 | Medium Canyon Red | 2E |
#c72900
|
Extremely popular on '85 carbureted models |
| 4 | Silver Metallic | 1G |
#A6ACAF
|
— |
| 5 | Medium Charcoal Metallic | 1B |
#74777d
|
— |
| 6 | Regatta Blue Metallic | 3X |
#1D3B68
|
— |
1986 Model Year
| # | Color name | Ford code | Color swatch | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oxford White | 9L |
#fdfdfd
|
— |
| 2 | Black | 1C |
#000000
|
— |
| 3 | Bright Red | 2A |
#82341d
|
— |
| 4 | Medium Charcoal Metallic | 1B |
#74777d
|
— |
| 5 | Silver Metallic | 1G |
#A6ACAF
|
— |
| 6 | Regatta Blue Metallic | 3X |
#1D3B68
|
— |
| 7 | Dark Sage Metallic | 4E |
#003522
|
Rare one-year Fox shade |
1987 Model Year
| # | Color name | Ford code | Color swatch | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oxford White | YO |
#F4F6F7
|
Aerodynamic facelift standard color |
| 2 | Black | 1C |
#000000
|
— |
| 3 | Scarlet Red | 2D |
#ad0025
|
Often paired with Titanium lower cladding |
| 4 | Medium Cabernet Metallic | 2H |
#47080b
|
— |
| 5 | Medium Shadow Blue Metallic | 3D |
#415C78
|
— |
| 6 | Dark Charcoal Metallic | 1D |
#5b5c59
|
— |
| 7 | Smoke Metallic | 1H |
#7C8286
|
— |
1988 Model Year
| # | Color name | Ford code | Color swatch | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oxford White | YO |
#F4F6F7
|
— |
| 2 | Black | 1C |
#000000
|
— |
| 3 | Scarlet Red | 2D |
#b3072b
|
— |
| 4 | Medium Cabernet Metallic | 2H |
#47080b
|
— |
| 5 | Regatta Blue Metallic | 3X |
#1D3B68
|
— |
| 6 | Smoke Metallic | 1H |
#7C8286
|
— |
| 7 | Almond | 66 |
#f4e3a7
|
Rare LX variant color |
1989 Model Year
| # | Color name | Ford code | Color swatch | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oxford White | YO |
#fdfdfd
|
— |
| 2 | Black | 1C |
#000000
|
— |
| 3 | Scarlet Red | 2D |
#b10429
|
— |
| 4 | Medium Cabernet Metallic | 2H |
#430406
|
— |
| 5 | Light Regatta Blue Metallic | 3Y |
#4B7FA8
|
— |
| 6 | Titanium Frost Metallic | YG |
#8E9498
|
Becomes highly popular lower two-tone color |
1990 Model Year
| # | Color name | Ford code | Color swatch | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oxford White | YO |
#fdfdfd
|
— |
| 2 | Black | 1C |
#000000
|
— |
| 3 | Wild Strawberry Metallic | EL |
#7f1d1d
|
— |
| 4 | Deep Emerald Green Metallic | PD |
#103525
|
Famous base for '7-Up' 25th Anniversary cars |
| 5 | Ultra Blue Metallic | MM |
#1b5592
|
— |
| 6 | Titanium Frost Metallic | YG |
#3f3f41
|
— |
1991 Model Year
| # | Color name | Ford code | Color swatch | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oxford White | YO |
#f9f9f9
|
— |
| 2 | Black | 1C |
#0B0C0E
|
— |
| 3 | Vermillion Red | EP |
#ad0100
|
Replaces Scarlet Red |
| 4 | Wild Strawberry Metallic | EL |
#801e1e
|
— |
| 5 | Deep Emerald Green Metallic | PD |
#103525
|
— |
| 6 | Ultra Blue Metallic | MM |
#1d5794
|
— |
| 7 | Titanium Frost Metallic | YG |
#3f3f41
|
— |
1992 Model Year
| # | Color name | Ford code | Color swatch | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oxford White | YO |
#f9f9f9
|
— |
| 2 | Black | 1C |
#0B0C0E
|
— |
| 3 | Vibrant Red | EY |
#d62222
|
Base coat color used for limited Special Editions |
| 4 | Wild Strawberry Metallic | EL |
#7e1c1c
|
— |
| 5 | Deep Emerald Green Metallic | PD |
#115353
|
— |
| 6 | Titanium Frost Metallic | YG |
#3e3e40
|
— |
| 7 | Royal Blue Metallic | LA |
#00013b
|
— |
1993 Model Year
| # | Color name | Ford code | Color swatch | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vibrant Red Clearcoat | EY |
#d62222
|
Standard launch color for the SVT Cobra |
| 2 | Teal Metallic Clearcoat | RD |
#177d92
|
Exclusive iconic SVT Cobra color variant |
| 3 | Black Clearcoat | UA |
#000000
|
SVT Cobra option / LX base option |
| 4 | Oxford White | YO |
#f9f9f9
|
— |
| 5 | Reef Blue Metallic | PD |
#115353
|
Popular late LX trim option |
| 6 | Royal Blue Metallic | LA |
#00013b
|
— |
| 7 | Canary Yellow | BZ |
#ffef37
|
Feature Convertible 'Triple Yellow' special run |
Where to find Generation 3 Mustang paint codes
Exterior color on a 1979–1993 Fox-body coupe, hatchback, and convertible is documented separately from interior trim codes. Check these locations before ordering paint:
- Driver-side door jamb Vehicle Identification Label — exterior paint code is a two-character field (examples: 9D White, 2B Bright Red, YO Oxford White on late Fox cars).
- Rear hatch or trunk lid gutter — original overspray on unrestored Foxes when the exterior was resprayed but the jamb was masked.
- Bumper cover backs and core support — plastic bumpers still carry overspray on low-mile originals; useful when tags were replaced.
- Build sheet or Marti / production report for SSP, Saleen, or special-order colors that do not match base LX/GT charts.
Official Ford guidance for modern vehicles also applies to decoding labels: see Ford's paint code help page for label reading tips.
How many colors were available?
Fox-body palettes expanded through the 1980s as GT and LX sales grew, then tightened again in the early 1990s as special editions (7-Up, Feature, Cobra R) consumed production slots. Our 1979–1993 table spans the full Fox run on the same platform — not the 1994 SN95 redesign.
Factory paint specifications
Original Fox-body (1979–1993) finishes differ from modern base/clear systems. Use this outline when briefing a body shop or judging an original car.
| Factory system (1979–~1986) | Single-stage acrylic enamel remained common on early Fox bodies; metallics use fine aluminum flake. |
|---|---|
| Factory system (~1987–1993) | Basecoat/clearcoat systems phased in on many Ford passenger lines — check model year before assuming single-stage. |
| Primary refinish brands | DuPont, PPG (Ditzler), Sherwin-Williams — Ford OEM formulas through dealer collision centers. |
| Finish type | Solids, metallics, and tri-coat pearls on late special editions; reds and blues use organic pigments with UV fade history. |
| Typical mixing (shop) | BC/CC: base color plus separate clear; single-stage enamel uses activator + reducer per tech sheet. Fox panels are large and flat — watch for solvent pop on hatch roofs. |
| Colorants / dyes | Oxford White and Vibrant White families differ by year; red oxide primer shows through poor coverage on Bright Red 2B resprays. |
| Factory film build | Approx. 4–7 mils on enamel-era cars; BC/CC Fox builds run 5–9 mils depending on clear. |
| Modern equivalent | PPG, Axalta, and Spies Hecker publish Fox formulas; verify 5.0 GT vs LX trim did not dictate a different code for the same color name. |
Recommended total paint thickness
| 1979–1985 enamel Fox | About 4–6 mils single-stage — hood and roof are best gauge points |
|---|---|
| 1987+ base/clear Fox | About 5–9 mils total — clear accounts for roughly 1.5–2.5 mils |
| Restoration target | Match surrounding original panels when blending; do not sand through factory primer on unmolested jambs |
| Measurement method | Gauge flat sheetmetal only — not fiberglass ground effects or polyurethane bumpers |
Surface prep tips for Generation 3 resprays
Strip hood scoop and GT fog-light holes before color match
Fox GT and LX share many codes but different trim. Masking around scoops and sending a jamb chip for spectro analysis beats guessing from a fender photo.
Watch for flexible bumper adhesion failures
1983+ urethane bumpers need flex additive in the formula. A hard clear made for steel panels will crack on bumper covers within a season.
What did a factory paint job cost then vs today?
Dealer and factory pricing is inflation-adjusted below for planning — not a quote from any specific shop.
| 1982 optional metallic (dealer guide) | About $120–$180 above base on a GLX hatchback. |
|---|---|
| 1987 GT repaint at Ford dealer | About $600–$900 full exterior in period BC/CC (late-1980s labor). |
| 1990 special-order 7-Up green | Paint was part of a package — verify code YO vs marketing name Emerald Green. |
| Driver Fox respray (2025) | $5,500–$9,500 — includes bumper removal, common on daily drivers. |
| Show-quality 5.0 GT restoration (2025) | $14,000–$24,000 — correct jamb color, engine bay semi-gloss, decal alignment separate. |
| SSP / law-enforcement clone (2025) | $10,000–$18,000 — plain white or department-specific codes need build documentation. |
Verified external resources
Frequently asked questions
Where is the paint code on a Fox-body Mustang?
Open the driver door and read the Vehicle Identification Label on the B-pillar. The exterior paint field is two characters — not the interior trim code beside it.
What is Oxford White on a Fox Mustang?
Late Fox Oxford White commonly uses code YO in this database, but always match model year. Early 1980s whites used different two-digit codes such as 9D.
Did 1993 Cobra use a unique paint code?
1993 Cobras appear in our table with production colors for that year — verify R-code and Cobra-specific striping separately from base exterior code.
How many colors came on a 1987 Mustang GT?
Count varies by catalog year; our database lists every factory color offered that model year. GT and LX shared most exterior codes.
Can I spray single-stage on a factory clearcoat Fox?
You can for a driver, but judged cars expect BC/CC on years Ford shipped clear. Stripping to metal and documenting the system choice avoids score penalties.
Other Mustang generations
Each generation uses different code formats and paint chemistry. Jump to the correct chart to avoid mixing Fox-body codes with muscle-car letters or Mustang II two-digit labels.
Generation 1
1964–1973 · Classic muscle car (1964½–1973)
Generation 2
1974–1978 · Mustang II (1974–1978)
Generation 3
1979–1993 · Fox-body (1979–1993)
Generation 4
1994–2004 · SN95 / New Edge (1994–2004)
Generation 5
2005–2014 · S197 (2005–2014)
Generation 6
2015–2023 · S550 (2015–2023)
Generation 7
2024–2026 · S650 (2024–2026)