The “buy one, get one free” philosophy has been a proven marketing strategy for years. From pizzas to electrical appliances, the lure of something for free has proven irresistible to many customers. That might be the case with this 1986 Ford Mustang GT, because the buyer receives a second ’86 GT for free. Both are rock-solid, and the new owner could restore both, use one as a parts car, or sell the extra vehicle to recoup some of their restoration costs. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder PRA4SNW for spotting this pair of Mustangs listed here on Facebook Marketplace in Brookwood, Alabama. Handing the seller $10,000 would allow you to take them home, although the seller might entertain appropriate trades.
I’ve long been a fan of the Fox-Body Mustang, especially those benefitting from the 1985 update that included the single-slot air intake in place of the more complex grille. Both of our Mustangs rolled off the line in 1986, making them winners in my book. The Medium Canyon Red GT is the better of the pair, with no major panel imperfections. Its paint is tired, but with no penetrating rust, whipping it into a presentable state should be relatively straightforward. Its first owner ordered it with a glass T-Top, and the lack of interior moisture damage suggests the seals are in good condition. The glass and trim are quite presentable, and the car retains its original alloy wheels.
Both Mustangs share identical mechanical specifications. The buyer receives Ford’s sweet 5.0-liter “HO” V8, developing 200hp and 285 ft/lbs of torque. The ponies feed to the back wheels via a five-speed manual transmission, with power assistance for the steering and brakes. The Red car runs and drives, and the seller states that the buyer could drive it home. There is a fuel issue that becomes apparent when the driver presses the gas pedal hard. It sounds like it loses power, but the system recovers if the driver eases off slightly. The culprit could be the pressure regulator, but only an inspection will reveal the truth. The Black car ran before a previous owner pulled the transmission for a clutch replacement. The five-speed is still out, but the previous owner also fitted new brakes and a heap of other components. Therefore, it may not take much time or effort for this baby to return to its rightful place on our roads. If you’re not already tempted, the deal includes a selection of additional parts that are always welcome in any project build.
The Red car’s interior looks surprisingly good. The dashpad has cracked, but the trim appears free from rips. I think the door cards might be warped, but I’ve seen owners bring these back with steam and pressure. What it is desperately crying out for is a deep clean. That would be the first step before the buyer invests in any additional parts. It appears to feature its original radio/cassette player, with the first owner also ticking the boxes beside air conditioning and power windows.
The Black GT doesn’t present as nicely as the Red one, with the exterior exhibiting areas of surface corrosion. However, it is rock-solid, meaning that bringing it back to a presentable state won’t be difficult. It isn’t as highly-equipped as the other, lacking features like the T-Top and power windows. Its interior is more tired and will probably require a retrim. The entire car needs TLC, but it is far from being a lost cause. If the buyer decides to restore both cars, they could change the color of one, creating an almost matching pair. That concept won’t appeal to some enthusiasts, but it is an interesting idea.
The big question facing the new owner of this pair of 1986 Mustang GTs is what to do with them once they are safely squirreled away in their workshop. Both appear to be viable restoration prospects, and the idea of owning a pristine matched pair would be tempting. Alternatively, the Black car could provide some valuable parts to transform the Red one into something special without spending a fortune. If you only have space for one project, selling the second would provide a few additional dollars to pour into the other’s restoration. Which path would you choose?
Ford should make the new Mustang in the Fox body image. The current Mustang has ran it’s course.
Good to see four-eye Fox GT’s which have survived. The dark red one looks particularly solid. Doesn’t seem like there is all that much wrong with it. The black one is obviously in poorer condition, but seems workable. I’m not sure about the two-for-one marketing.