When it comes to Mustangs, finding stock, unrestored cars is increasingly the name of the game, especially as it relates to Fox bodies. After years of being customized, modified, and bastardized, collectors are realizing a good Fox body is not as easy to find as it once was. This 1985 model is claimed to be such a car, in original condition with most of its original components still intact. The four-eyed Mustang also comes with T-tops and the preferred 5-speed manual transmission, along with a rebuilt 5.0L V8 engine. Overall, there’s a lot to like here, and you’ll find the Mustang here on craigslist for $8,500.
The Mustang looks sharp up and down the sides, with its original GT badges still intact, and still riding on stock wheels with a factory dual exhaust out back. Those details are usually the first to go when it comes to performance modifications for a Fox body. While I have no issue with an exhaust or larger OEM wheels on a Mustang of this vintage (I’d probably lower it, too), it’s always nice to find one that hasn’t been messed with. The plastic trim does look a little faded in spots, and perhaps those are the details the seller is referring to when he mentions that it wouldn’t take much to restore the Mustang to like-new condition.
T-tops are almost a requirement when it comes to ’80s muscle cars, but I wouldn’t hate it if they weren’t present on this example. There’s the ongoing argument about chassis flex and structural rigidity (well, it’s not really an argument – it’s a real thing), but for a cruiser, who cares? If Saleen was happy to throw its bolt-ons onto a convertible, no reason the rest of us can’t be happy with a standard-issue GT with T-tops. Plus, it’s always nice to get some fresh air without the full-time blast of a convertible. The interior looks to be in great shape, with clean sport seats, door cards, dash pad, and more, along with the preferred manual gearbox. It’s even nicer when you consider that the mileage is reportedly just over 168,000.
That sort of mileage combined with the clean, stock condition on display tells me that this Mustang has been loved, and the rebuilt engine should give the next owner plenty of miles of driving enjoyment. There’s also a new clutch, and the seller claims it runs and drives excellent. A walk-around video is included in the listing, and it certainly feels like the seller doesn’t have anything to hide with this car. Finding clean Fox bodies with healthy, original mechanical components is only going to get harder from here, so grab one while you can. Would you go for a Mustang like this with its classic four-eyed nose, or look for a later example?
As Jeff notes, most Fox Body Mustangs were “customized, modified, and bastardized.” We see a few low mileage examples, and they consistently bring the big bucks. Actually what we see here is something also rare, a high mileage car which has been kept stock and well-maintained. This will be a fun car for the buyer.
I remember my parents taking me to the Ford dealership when I was 7 years old and seeing this exact car on the showroom floor. A lifelong love of the Mustang began then and there, though I’m ashamed it was 30 more years before i finally got one (it was a 1990 7-Up car with 50,000 miles that the original owner had stashed for ten years- in a BARN). Finding an unmolested 4-eye in this condition, especially one loaded with air, cruise, and power options AND T-tops is a score at this money for whoever is lucky enough to land it! Just needs the hood decal…..
Nice Mustang. Mileage is high and the seats are from the later Fox years but they are every bit as comfortable as the original 86 seats and “wear” better. Good luck with the sale!
I’m glad somebody enjoyed this car. The T tops are a no for me but, its a great low cost car to jump into the game. Just check those shock towers just to be safe.
Non-original seats. The original seats had red piping and were made of a nicer, softer material and were better looking than the later Foxes, burlap-looking seats that this one currently has.
Now this makes more sense to me for 8500 than the 8500 rust bucket of a Camaro!
That brings back memories. I bought a black exterior/tan cloth interior Mustang GT 5 speed new in 1985.
Seems like the 5.0 with automagic trans was FI & 200 hp. If you bought the stick shift, it was 210 hp & last year for a carburetor (Holley looked like it assimilated with the Borg). In ’86 both were FI & 210 hp if I remember right.
Then and now I wouldn’t buy one with T tops, don’t want to leak and squeak.
Autotragic in ’85 came with CFI central fuel injection (throttle body) and was 180 horsepower (165 for early builds without the low restriction air cleaner and exhaust of the later ones).
’86 was 200 hp for both manual and automatic. Sequential port electronic fuel injection.
This is perfect. Nice, but not so nice and low mileage that you couldn’t happily drive and enjoy it.
Yes, nice ! Seats are 1987-90 and it was the last year for a carbeurated V-8. Good Holley 600 cfm that even started great in cold climates (had the 175 hp 84 4v 5 speed T-top)
This was it.. the car the dude had that stole my HSGF. He drove the 5.0, I drove the 2.3. although it was cammed and had an Anza exhaust! The girl is a distant memory.. I still want his car.