Some classics are so beautifully preserved that they wouldn’t look out of place today on the showroom floor from which they rolled decades before. Such is the case with this 1987 Ford Mustang LX. It is an immaculate classic, and its condition is understandable courtesy of an odometer reading of 8,880 genuine miles. The original owner’s decision to order it with the desirable 5.0-liter/5-speed manual combination adds to its appeal. It has attracted considerable interest since the seller listed it here on eBay in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Bidding has raced to $25,000 off the back of some spirited action.
The two-door sedan or coupe version of the Fox-Body Mustang is less popular than the convertible and hatchback derivatives in the current classic market. However, they have a solid following among enthusiasts due to their lower weight and better torsional rigidity than their siblings. This one presents superbly in Code 1D Dark Gray. The paint looks excellent, with no signs of significant marks or chips. The front bumper section is particularly noteworthy because it is prone to those issues. I can’t spot any patchiness, which is a problem that often plagues this paint shade. The panels are laser straight, and the photos, including the underside shots, confirm this classic is rust-free. It is worth noting that the car isn’t perfect, with surface corrosion on the suspension and some nuts and bolts. However, if considered purely as a survivor, it is still impressive. The tinted glass and plastic have survived without problems, and the wheels are excellent.
The original owner must have focused on performance when ordering this classic because they selected the fuel-injected 5.0-liter “HO” V8, backed by a 5-speed manual transmission. Standard equipment includes power assistance for the steering and front disc brakes. With 225hp under the driver’s right foot, this beauty should gallop through the ¼-mile in 14.8 seconds on its way to 137mph. Many enthusiasts at the time viewed this as a significant step forward as American manufacturers came to grips with the technology that extracted respectable performance from a V8 while not compromising emission standards. The seller says the car has 8,880 genuine miles on the clock, and I believe they probably hold evidence in the enormous collection of included documentation. The seller has been the Mustang’s custodian for a few years, and it sees little use. Therefore, it requires a thorough inspection before the winning bidder tackles any long journeys. The tires have flat-spotted from sitting, so they need to go. Otherwise, it seems to run and drive extremely well. They supply this YouTube video of the car in action, and I can’t spot any issues.
Reviewing the Window Sticker for this Mustang reveals a fascinating fact. The original owner ordered it with air conditioning, power windows, power locks, cruise control, and a tilt wheel. However, they elected to make it a radio-delete vehicle. There must have been a reason, and I’d love to know what it was. As with the rest of the car, there is little to criticize inside this survivor. I can’t spot any wear on the front seats, while the back seat looks like it has never been used. The plastic hasn’t succumbed to sun damage, while the carpet is in as-new condition. Overall, it wouldn’t cause its new owner shame if displayed at a show or a Cars & Coffee.
Do people like what they see with this 1987 Mustang LX? I can safely say the answer is yes because it has already attracted twenty-five bids. This has pushed the price beyond normal market expectations, but the originality and odometer reading makes that understandable. I’m unsure how much higher it will go, but I wouldn’t put $30,000 beyond its reach. Do you agree, or is a lower figure more realistic?
Yowza! Nice.
What a clean example. The seller notes some imperfections, and suggests that some could be the result of quality standards of the day (which can certainly be the case). But the car sure does look good. I’m don’t know where the bids will land, but whatever it is will further illustrate the escalating prices of clean Fox Bodies.
I don’t know if there is sales (or other) data to back it up, but I sense that interest in coupes exceeds interest in fastbacks or convertibles for late year Foxes (excluding specialty models like the 1993 Cobra).
Very gray, and very desirable, and very very nice.
Agree with everything you said Bob. Including the desirability of the notchback sedan. I think they are commanding higher prices. Not the case when they were relatively new. I have an ’89 LX vert, 5L/5pd I bought in ’94 and I just adore it !
I still have my 1993, GT, convertible, stick that I bought new. Under 2,500 miles. I wish I had bought an LX in the same configuration. The bulging plastic sides etc has not stood the test of time to my eye.
First new car was an 1987 GT with every option box checked except it was a 5 spd. It also was gray and it had T-Tops that never leaked because I silicone lubricated them once a month and waxed it 4 times a year. I waxed the door jams and the under the door. Also waxed all areas under the hood and hatch. Changed oil every 3k along with the Goodyear Gator backs being rotated and balanced. The Goodyear dealer said he had never seen Gatorbacks run that long. I also burned only premium gas, yes I was proud of my car. Never liked the notch backs as they looked too plain..There was never a time when I got behind the wheel that I didn’t smile when I turned the key. The car looked fast, was fast, and could come out of a cloverleaf like it was on rails. I miss that car everyday.
I agree. I like the hatchback LX and GT better. The notchback is lighter and faster, but none of these cars are fast by today’s standards anyway. Not knocking this car at all, though.
I want to know how in the heck you keep something like this for 36 years without even putting 10k miles on it!?!
Only model I would spend $$ on from this generation is the notch back. I agree with previous comment I think these are more valuable with collectors than Fastbacks etc.
I had a 1990 and a 1993 Mustang LX Notchback. Both were black with 5.0L 5speed the only options l had were A/C and stereo w/ cassette
Fantastic cars. Very reliable and lots of fun. I paid $17,000 out the door for my 93 which included taxes etc.
Was l still had one of them tidal.
This is a nice one!!! Really clean. The only Ford I have ever owned, an 87 5.0 LX notchback,ex-CHP interceptor…fun little car, squirrely AF with a really light rear end. On Halloween night 1995, it was the first light rain of the year in the Bay Area and I just dropped off a date after going to the movies with some friends. I left my buddy’s house and headed around the corner to the expressway, got up to about 55, maybe 60mph, I hit a slick spot and the rear end started swinging counter clockwise, I tried to correct, down shifted, the car countered spiraling me the opposite direction and I hit the foot high curb of an exit off ramp catapulting me end over end. I think I flipped 3 times because each time I said “of f#ck.” It is true about life flashing before you. When the car came to a stop miraculously, or divinely, take your pick, I landed on all 4, a little sore on my left side but well enough to cut my seat belt with the pocket knife I always carried. Got out of the car to see the entire passenger side was smashed about chest high. The motor had dislodged from the mounts and was settled cockeyed, the rear speakers jettisoned their anchors to the shelf, all glass had shattered and there were pieces of the car littering the embankment, including my spare tire that somehow exited the trunk. It was a mess. I crawled up the embankment and a guy that was travelling behind me, in Grand National nonetheless, stopped and told me he had called 911 for me on his Motorola flip phone. He stayed with me until the medics arrived and they took me to the hospital. In the end, I was pretty damn lucky, only a broken collarbone, fractured ribs and some bruises but that poor Mustang, it was almost unrecognizable. At only 19, I healed pretty quick, took the insurance money, added a few bucks, and went out and bought my own Grand National, much to the dismay of my Mother, I might add.
Sorry to hear about you buying that Buick. Glad you made it out of that alive.
Should easily go north of 30k. I was offered 25k for my 55k mile 87 notch last Sunday st a show. This one is a fox body collectors dream.
I had the exact same car. Regret selling it everyday. I was a blast to drive!
Real clean, and gorgeous. This era was all about aftermarket removeable faceplate stereos too. JVC, Alpine, Sony you name it, probably what the owner had in mind. Jims comment onnbuild quality is correct. Our 89 sedan had many flaws, but once you started the great motor, the flaws were forgotten quickly. What a great sounding machine when running up the revolutions. No stereo 📻 required. 🏁
Yep, back then the most common day two mod was an aftermarket deck. For me it was an Alpine.
Bowling Green? Originally owned by GM executive? Wouldn’t that be fun?
Wow, up to 36K with 4 days to go. That’s almost 10K over what you can get a brand new one for.
I’m not going to argue that this one is better or not over a brand new one, the buyer can make that decision. But, I think it leads to a dilemma for the buyer.
Do you buy it and not drive it? If so, you’ll probably have a decent investment. Or do you drive it with the thought that you always wanted one and like it a lot more over what that money would buy in a new car?
It would be interesting (to me at least) to know what the new owner plans to do with it.
SOLD for $42,800!