74k Original Miles: 1993 Ford Mustang Convertible

When Ford introduced the Fox-Body Mustang in 1979, they envisaged that its production run would reach the mid-1980s. Instead, the model soldiered on until 1993, significantly exceeding those initial expectations. Today, Fox-Bodies, especially later editions, are commanding healthy figures in the classic market. This ’93 Convertible is a tidy example that needs a buyer willing to take it to the next level. The owner has undertaken a significant amount of recent work, but it eagerly awaits someone to finish the project. The Convertible is located in Charlotte, North Carolina, and is listed for sale here on Barn Finds Classifieds. The owner hasn’t set a sale price, but he is open to the best offer from interested parties.

As you will see, there’s a lot to unpack with this Mustang. It is finished in Calypso Green, and it generally presents quite well. The seller indicates that a previous owner performed some touch-up work on the paint and that it looks okay from 20-feet away. There is some damage to the passenger door and the rear quarter panel, but it seems like it would be straightforward to repair. There is also some rust to tackle, but it appears to be confined to two areas. The first is in the trunk lid, while the second is in the passenger side A-Pillar. The owner believes this was caused by moisture entering where a windshield trim rubber was missing. He has since replaced this rubber, along with the window, door, and trunk rubber seals and gaskets. That appears to be the extent of the trouble, with no rust visible in any other area. A new set of headlights and taillights add a crisp touch to the exterior, while new hinge pins and bushes on the driver’s door help its alignment. The power top is weatherproof, although it now shows its age. If the buyer is struggling with finances, this could be replaced at a later date. The glass appears to be in good condition, and the same is true of the five-lug alloy wheels.

One of this Mustang’s highlights is undoubtedly the interior because the owner has recently spent a fair amount of money to get it presented to a high standard. This includes fitting new TMI seatcovers, along with a fresh carpet set and rear trims. The console with cup holder is a practical addition, while the remaining trim and the dash are in excellent order. There are a few tasks for the buyer to tackle, but none of those seem particularly challenging. The owner has installed a new heater core, but the air conditioning doesn’t blow cold. The passenger power window doesn’t operate, while the original stereo is missing. Once those few items are addressed, this interior would seem to need nothing. As well as air conditioning and power windows, the Mustang comes equipped with power mirrors.

Powering the Mustang is a 5.0-liter V8 that is hooked to a 4-speed automatic transmission. Power steering and power brakes should help to make it an excellent cruiser. With 205hp on tap, that would make the Convertible capable of covering the ¼ mile in around 16 seconds. The news with the drivetrain looks to be largely positive, although the owner indicates that this classic is not ready for any cross-country journeys at this point. He has recently replaced the fan and fan clutch, along with the rear motor mounts. The car runs and drives reasonably well, and the tires have about 90% tread remaining. It appears that the buyer will need to replace the shocks and struts to improve the ride and handling while the owner describes the brakes as feeling mushy. This could be something as simple as the system requiring bleeding, but the owner suggests that the vehicle should be trailered if the buyer lives any significant distance from its current location. One of the attractions of the Fox-Body Mustangs is that parts are in plentiful supply and affordable, so getting the car to a roadworthy state shouldn’t prove difficult or expensive.

With Fox-Body Mustangs, especially later examples, increasing in value, finding affordable project cars is becoming increasingly difficult. That is what this Convertible appears to be, and it offers a world of possibilities. The weather is heading towards the colder months, which will reduce the opportunities for top-down motoring in the short term. However, that also means there are ample opportunities to tackle some restoration work over the upcoming colder months. It would be an excellent way to occupy some spare time and means that this Mustang could be ready for some fun in the sun once the weather takes a turn for the better. That has to be a tempting prospect, and it helps to make this Mustang Convertible worthy of a closer look.