Designed to be relatively lightweight and simple, the Fox platform was a rear-wheel drive chassis that utilized a wide variety of powertrains.

As Ford transitioned its compact and mid-size vehicle lines to front-wheel drive, the usage of the Fox platform began to decline during the mid-1980s.

In its original form, the architecture was produced through the 1993 model year, with a substantial redesign of the Ford Mustang extending its life into the 21st century, ultimately ending production in 2004.

[1]: 150 [2] October 1973 marked the beginning of the first 1970s oil crisis, leading gas prices to increase to US$.55 (equivalent to $3.77 in 2023)[3] per gallon.

[6] A proponent of downsizing, Sperlich conceived of a "World Car" that could be sold in both Europe and North America as a solution to the needs of the various divisions.

[1]: 151  Although the Fairmont would be the first Fox-based car to reach the market, development was guided by an anticipated sport coupe to be based on the new platform.

In 1975 North American Automobile Operations took over development of the Fox platform from Sperlich's Product Planning and Research group.

The first running Fox (Fairmont) prototype was a Cortina with a modified suspension, using MacPherson struts and torsion bars.

Due to the use of strut front suspension, the Fox platform was designed with a wider engine bay than its Falcon-chassis predecessor.

To further improve the fuel economy of Lincoln Fox-platform vehicles in the 1980s, the platform was adapted for the use of BMW diesel inline-6 engines.

In contrast to the well-received Mustang, the redesign of the Thunderbird and Cougar were poorly received, leading to a sales collapse of both models.

During the early 1980s, the Fox platform played a central role involving changes to multiple Ford nameplates.

To rectify the sales collapse and capitalize on the move back towards full-size lines, Ford commenced a multi-year shift of its best-selling vehicle nameplates in all three divisions.

For 1988, the Lincoln Continental became a longer-wheelbase version of the Ford Taurus, ending sedan production on the Fox platform.

[25] The change left the Lincoln Mark VII (derived from the 1982 Continental; itself, the 1980 Thunderbird) and the Ford Mustang as the final Fox platform vehicles.