Admitting you’re not going to get around to restoring a car, or otherwise getting it running, is the first step in releasing a car from the cold clutches of a dark garage. The seller admits that this 1987 Ford Mustang GT convertible has been sitting for 17 years after some mechanical issues caused him to park the car. The Mustang comes with the prefered 5-speed manual and a variety of new old stock parts that would likely make it fairly straightforward to bring it back to OEM-spec condition. However, there are some fuel system issues to sort out. Check out the Mustang here on eBay with bids to $2,600 and no reserve.

It’s easy enough for a hobby car to become stagnant just due to becoming busy or having a family; but when you throw an issue into the mix that requires expert mechanical analysis, and that isn’t easily rectified with  basic shade-tree skills, it’s even more likely that the car will continue to sit. The seller notes that he purchased this Mustang in 1991 with 50,000 miles on the clock, and that it belonged to a local sportscaster in the Orlando market. It was parked when the car developed a gas smell in the cabin and ignition wires began to melt, and it sounds like those issues still needs a permanent fix.

5-speed manuals are not the easiest gearbox to find in the Fox body. Many muscle car shoppers in the 1980s wanted an automatic, and it’s a bit of a value killer when you find a project Mustang and it has a slushbox. The seller’s car actually looks like a bone stock GT, with the right seats and body kit and no obvious signs of modifications. The seller notes it had lowering springs at one point in time, but that they have since been removed with stock ride height springs now installed. As far as issues go, they seem pretty manageable, with the seller mentioning that the oil pressure gauge reads “0” but that the low level warning light doesn’t come on.

Obviously, the wheels aren’t stock, but the seller is including a set of what looks like brand new or at least, very nicely preserved 15-inch turbine-style OEM wheels. The red stripes are a factory look but the seller notes that they were added by the first owner. Still, with the correct wheels installed and the paint corrected, this Mustang would look the part – but figuring out the fuel and ignition system issues should take priority over cosmetic fixes. The seller recommends replacing the “….fuel tank filler tube seal and fuel pump tank seal,” along with performing a thorough inspection of the fuel tank, lines, pump, and rail. With no reserve and some needs, this is likely to go for a song.