I venture to say, that many of you had no clue that Ford has built thousands of Mustangs since the late '80s expressly for use outside our North American shores. That is, some are even illegal to drive on US or Canadian highways but still carry a factory warranty. You wonder what the deal is? It is simple, these Mustangs are built without many of the federally mandated emissions devices for use overseas in places like the Middle East.

I originally became interested in these "horses of a different color" when I saw a bombed out neighborhood in Baghdad on CNN during the US-Iraq skirmish. What caught my eye was a late-'80s Mustang LX 5.0 hatchback that had been blown upside down. What I noticed was the lack of a catalytic converter-equipped exhaust H-pipe. I know it sounds strange but this single image is what kicked off my quest to find out the differences in these export Mustangs.

For the most part, 1987-1993 Mustang GTs or LX 5.0s assembled for overseas duty (European, Asian, etc.) were, for the most part, configured similar to their Canadian bound kin. These minor changes equated to speedometers calibrated in kilometers per hour and specification decals in French or English languages. Radios with varying frequencies were also fitted as needed. The same US-spec engines and catalyst systems were installed because the (for the most part) world-wide consciousness on emissions. It is interesting to note that Mustangs shipped to Australia received some interesting induction pieces due to the revised left hand directed intake tract to clear the right hand steering components.

The differences in Middle East-bound or "OPEC Mustangs" as Ford called them were much greater! Basically, the cars were configured as GT or LX 5.0s as they were here. The same US-spec 5.0L engines, T5 or AOD transmissions, sport tuned suspensions and 8.8" traction-lock rear axles were fitted. At this point the similarities ended. Due to the rather carefree emissions regulations and almost endless fuel supply in Saudi Arabia, Israel, Qatar and other Middle Eastern countries, the catalyst system was modified to accept cheap leaded and at the same time higher octane fuel. To due this, the Dearborn Assembly Plant workers installed "EXPORT ONLY"-labeled fuel filler necks without unleaded fuel filler neck baffles, Ford production stainless steel exhaust H-pipes sans catalytic converters and oxygen sensor provisions, inoperative but existent air pumps and EGR systems and most interesting of all, unique EEC-IV processors to control this unorthodox engine emissions calibration combination. An emersion-type engine oil cooler with a short filter, the same type used on the Special Service (police) Mustangs, was installed along with an external air-to-oil transmission fluid cooler for AOD transmission equipped cars. OPEC Mustangs received a full size spare wheel and tire. A special trunk board, also the same one used in the Special Service Mustang, is used to cover the spare. Manually controlled air conditioning was standard fare and sunroofs were optional. Convertible tops were also available. Arabic specification and instruction labels, where applicable, and much less complicated emissions decals were installed for easier "native" tuning. Stereo radios with unique banding for the particular region were also installed.

The release of the new Mustang body style in 1994 brought with it a new export market--Japan. Keep in mind that Mustangs are still exported to the Middle East and Europe with similar features as the older Fox body Mustangs like regular leaded fuel filler necks, etc. Mustangs exported to Japan receive similar drivetrains, both 5.0L and 3.8L, as those built for domestic use. Rumor has it that Cobras will be exported in 1996. Their differences lie with the exterior modifications necessary to clear Japanese vehicle laws. In particular, Japan-bound Mustangs receive unique head and taillight assemblies along with additional amber colored marker lights installed in the front fenders. The most striking addition is the installation of wide urethane fender flairs at each of the four fender openings. Also included are specification and emissions decals in Japanese.

Both the older Fox body Mustangs as well as the newer SN-95 Mustangs built for export are, at a first casual glance, not readily discernable from regular Mustangs when they are built. Assembly line workers tape little paper signs on the windshield header or the radiator core support to notify others that the car that they are building requires special handling. When they roll off the line, the are usually placed in an area where they will be picked up and prepped for shipping to their new home very far away.