Low mileage claims must often be taken with a grain of salt, especially if there is a question hanging over the subject of verifying evidence. However, that might not be an issue with this 1988 Ford Mustang GT Convertible, because it comes with a large collection of original documentation. Its presentation is hard to fault, while its mechanical specifications promise an entertaining driving experience. Listed here on eBay, the GT is located in Gilbert, Arizona. The seller set their BIN at $36,850 with the option to make an offer.
The Fox-Body Mustang served Ford well from its release in 1979 until the mid-1980s. The company planned a front-wheel-drive replacement in the face of declining sales. However, such was the outraged cries of potential buyers that it granted the badge a stay of execution until 1993. Therefore, the 1987 restyle proved the ideal solution to boost sales volumes. Our feature car is an ’88 GT Convertible that the first owner ordered in Oxford White with a matching soft-top. The car presents superbly, with no significant paint or panel imperfections. The lack of developing surface corrosion in areas like the engine bay suggests it is rust-free, while the top fits as tight as a drum. There is no evidence of deteriorating plastic, the glass is clear, and the alloy wheels haven’t been marred by stains or curb strikes.
Ford’s sweet little fuel-injected 5.0-liter V8 was standard fare in the 1988 Mustang GT. The first owner teamed this car’s V8 with a five-speed manual transmission, a 2.73 Traction-Lok rear end, and power-assisted steering and brakes. The engine produces 225hp and 300 ft/lbs, proving that Ford was back in the performance game by the time this Convertible rolled off the line. The seller frustrates us with a lack of crucial information. They claim that it has a genuine 7,700 miles showing on its odometer, although there is no mention of verifying evidence. However, since this deal includes the original Sales invoice, Original Title, Owner Card, Owner’s Manual, Window Sticker, and a Marti Report, it is possible that they missed that vital piece of information in the listing. They also don’t supply information on its mechanical health, although I would expect nothing but perfection from a car in this price bracket.
This GT is as much about “show” as it is about “go.” The first owner teamed the Oxford White paint with matching White leather interior trim. It is a classy combination, with the Red carpet providing a striking contrast. There is no wear and no evidence of stains or marks. The dash is spotless, and if this interior doesn’t tick the box as showroom fresh, it doesn’t miss by much. It is also nicely equipped for those who like the finer things in life. The first owner ticked the boxes on their Order Form beside air conditioning, power assistance for the windows, locks, mirrors, and lumbar supports. Throw in cruise control and a premium sound system, and life aboard this classic would be extremely comfortable.
It will be fascinating to gauge your opinion about this 1988 Mustang GT Convertible, and whether you believe that the car’s condition makes the mileage claim plausible in the absence of documentary evidence. I am willing to give it the benefit of the doubt, but that brings us to the subject of the seller’s BIN figure. It is consistent with what organizations like Hagerty suggest is realistic, but I found another ’88 GT Convertible in Oxford White that recently sold for around $21,000. Admittedly, that car featured a four-speed automatic and cloth trim, but are those two differences enough to justify the additional cost? Over to you for comments.
Always thought the ground effects of the GTs to be truly ugly. A nice LX is the only way to go. Despite that, this is going to go for a small fortune.
I’m split on the GT fascia, ground effects and filigree. But, I owned two GTs, both ordered brand new and both were GTs. So I guess I liked them more then. Color made a big difference as did the paint scheme. Many GTs had the lower trim (below the rub strips) painted a dark silver. Some had the red accent stripe in that belt molding, others pulled it off immediately. I think k they look best with no belt stripe and the ground effects all in body color. My Cabernet red 88 GT was a solid color and I eventually peeled off and cleaned up the strip on the rub strip, I thought that looked best to my eye. Mine was a white top with this same white and red two tone. These were not the most sophisticated or fastest cars, but they were indestructible and the Windsor could take immense abuse and or power addrers. I’ve seen these running Turbo’s and Nitrous on a stock bottom end, somehow they hold up. Nimble and fun to drive. I don’t think I’d go 40k for one but that’s only because I bought both mine new for 15.3k and 18.8k and felt like I stole them.
To each their own on ground effects preferences for the closer of the Fox bodies. I’m on my second GT (88 hatch and now an 87 convertible).
I’ll skip the almost obligatory rant on the heater core on the AC equipped cars and say that both cars (both 5-speeds) were by no means the best performing cars I’ve owned but were (and still are) among the most fun to drive.
In that regard, for me seeing low-mileage fox bodies like this one just seems to depict a missed joy. Maybe the original owner had other cars in their garage that brought them more pleasure to drive while this one sat for decades (at this point basically a grossly underperforming investment) and with such low miles it’s doubtful the next owner will give this pony the ride it deserves.
Btw, my current one has 100k+ miles and while not pristine it’s been reasonably maintained (and unmolested) and still runs like a champ.
Whole heartily agree. Invest in the market, for petes sake, drive your cars.
The door panels don’t look factory original to me. Someone chime in?
They look identical to the door cards on my ‘88 GT convertible which also had an identical white on red interior. I cannot tell if the elastic pouch at the bottom of the doors is still in place. But everything looks exactly like mine that I special ordered and too delivery of in Lake Worth FL.
I had one of these brand new and found out by yanking the speedometer cable out, which was just held in by a spring type clip, and tucking the cable into the frame meant no speedo or odometer. However, the cruise still worked and I used the tach and what gear the manual tranny was in to figure speed.
Looking back, I’m not proud of what I did, but if I figured it out probably lots of other people did too…
37k?……Nope.
I don’t usually go for white. However, I must say, that the red accents on the exterior, and the dark red /burgundy carpets with the white seats looks nice. I always liked that contrast. This drop top Mustang looks like its been well care for, and especially with a stick they’re a blast to drive.
Sound even better with the top down 😎
In a world where someone will pay $6+ millions in cryptocurrency for a 35 cent banana, all other prices become less relevant. Easy come easy go for some, real world earned value for the rest of us. The buyer determines the sale value, not the seller!
After my red 1967 fastback and 1970 Mach1, I got a new 1988 GT convertible thinking I was moving up.
The absolute WORST decision!
Road noise, air leaks and bad ride…
Later I did buy a wrecked 1986 for the engine which went into a 1966 Fairlane convertible.
The 1988 Mustang GT was a learning point for me.
Total crap. Was able to trade it in on a 1990 Corvette followed by 9 more Corvettes :-)
Who brings a Tesla to a car show?
Hey Vanilla Ice called looking for his 5.0.
As time passes , our tastes change , mine have for many things but i still feel the same about the GT , its too much …
I forgot how bad they look with the top down , like a horse carriage, the top sits too high,even the parade boot doesn’t help…
YOLO