When the Mustang Went Rogue: The 1980 RSX Rally Concept

Radical Experiment - The early 1980s were a period of transition for the global automotive industry, when established performance icons were no longer treated as fixed formulas. Manufacturers were searching for new identities shaped by aerodynamics, motorsport influence, and futuristic optimism. Ford found itself in the middle of that uncertainty and briefly allowed the Mustang to become a platform for experimentation rather than tradition. From that moment emerged the Ford Mustang RSX Concept, often nicknamed “Fugly Squared,” a bold attempt to reinterpret the pony car through a rally-inspired lens. 

The Ford Mustang RSX Concept, often nicknamed “Fugly Squared,” a bold attempt to reinterpret the pony car through a rally-inspired lens. (Picture from: Motorious)

Ford chose the 1981 Chicago Auto Show as the stage for the RSX’s public debut, making its intentions clear from the outset. This was not a preview of a showroom model, but a visual and conceptual statement. At a time when auto shows served as arenas for daring ideas, the RSX stood out by proposing a Mustang imagined for international rally stages rather than American muscle-car culture. The reaction was immediate and polarized, which only reinforced its role as a conversation starter. 

The Ford Mustang RSX Concept visually departed from Mustang heritage, reducing familiar cues to minimal branding while embracing sharp angles, flat surfaces, and exaggerated early-1980s geometric futurism. (Picture from: Motorious)

Visually, the RSX departed dramatically from Mustang heritage. Familiar styling cues were stripped down to minimal branding, replaced by sharp angles, flat surfaces, and exaggerated geometric forms emblematic of early-1980s futurism. Black plexiglass bonded to the doors gave the body a sleek, experimental appearance, while plexiglass headlight covers attempted to smooth airflow around the chunky front end. A rear-mounted airfoil completed the look, signaling that function and concept took priority over nostalgia. 

The Ford Mustang RSX Concept used black plexiglass bonded to the doors for a sleek, experimental look, while plexiglass headlight covers aimed to smooth airflow over its chunky front end. (Picture from: Motorious)

The RSX’s unusual character became easier to understand once its origins were revealed. The concept was developed at Ghia’s design studio in Turin, Italy, using Ford’s then-new Foxbody platform as its foundation. Ghia reshaped the proportions with rally intent, widening the track, shortening the wheelbase, and raising the ride height to suit rough terrain. Rear seats were eliminated entirely, emphasizing that this was a study in purpose and form, not everyday usability. 

The Ford Mustang RSX Concept’s interior balanced endurance and refinement, featuring thickly padded leather bucket seats with bold red accents instead of a stripped competition cockpit. (Picture from: Motorious)

Inside, the RSX adopted an approach that balanced endurance with refinement. Rather than a stripped competition cockpit, the interior featured thickly padded leather bucket seats with bold red accents, designed to keep occupants comfortable during long stages. Even the steering wheel hub was padded and wrapped in leather, highlighting an unexpected focus on driver comfort. The shifter was mounted high on the center stack in classic rally fashion, shortening hand movement and reinforcing a driver-centric layout that prioritized control and efficiency. 

The Ford Mustang RSX Concept was powered by Ford’s 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with a four-speed manual transmission, while much of its suspension hardware was carried over from the production Mustang. (Picture from: Motorious)

Mechanically, the RSX remained deliberately restrained, reinforcing its role as a design exploration rather than a performance benchmark. Power came from Ford’s 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with a four-speed manual transmission, while much of the suspension hardware was carried over from the production Mustang. This restraint made it clear that the RSX was never meant to prove speed or dominance. Apologies if the following video does not directly relate to the RSX Concept discussed here. | 8vOoQnTIMAQ |

Viewed today, the Mustang RSX Concept feels less like a failed idea and more like an honest snapshot of creative freedom. It captured a moment when Ford was willing to challenge its own legacy, even if the result was divisive. The RSX did not need to reach production to leave an impact; its significance lies in showing how experimentation, even when imperfect, plays a crucial role in shaping the direction of automotive design. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | MOTORIOUS ]

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