1979: Was Ford Working on their own Fiero?
Ford had visions of a mid-engine sidewinder passenger car design. This was all in the interest of improved aerodynamics; future front end sheet-metal was bound to become more wedge-like, just as the rear will become more truncated. Ford was also considering the introduction of a small version of its integral overdrive transmission for the 1982 model year. Except for physical size, it was the same “regular” FIOD that debuted in the 1980 Fairmont, Zephyr, etc., but would differ from other Ford Transmissions in that it was to be mounted at the rear of the vehicle. GM was already tooling its own version, known internally at the time as the THM200 TR4. THM for Turbo Hydramatic, the second “T” represented torque (200 lb ft), and the “R” stood for rear, and the 4 designating the number of cogs.
I think it is a 1962 Mustang concept.
http://cdn.streetmusclemag.com/files/2010/09/Proto1-1.jpg
this info came straight out of a 1979 magazine. Not saying you are not correct, but that is where i got it!