Ford began development of the Fox platform in 1973. Designed to accommodate downsized versions of several Ford cars, its first job was carrying the Fairmont. But a priority for Iacocca was correcting the sins of the Mustang II, so the new Fox platform was swiftly altered for its sports-car mission. Jack Telnack, while he was VP of Ford’s European design division, won over management with his proposal for the new Mustang’ appearance; production began in 1978. Colloquially called the “Fox body”, the new car ran for fifteen years, receiving facelifts along the way. This example retains the quad headlights that were a feature through 1986; later cars received an “aero” look, with covered headlights wrapping around the nose. Mitchell G found this Mustang for us to write about – thanks Mitchell!
The venerable 302 cu. in. V8 was not offered in 1980 and 1981 but re-emerged in 1982. By the time this car was made, Ford had perfected its fuel injection technology, offering sequential multiport injection for the first time. The change improved output to 200 hp, and sales – already quite strong – skyrocketed. Aftermarket performance components are available from a variety of vendors in case this Mustang’s robust horsepower rating isn’t enough. This example has a manual gearbox and shows only 64,000 miles on the clock. The seller has owned the car for fourteen years and mentions that the only non-original item on the car is the exhaust system.
The seats are trimmed in white leather – notoriously difficult to keep clean, but this one is nice enough. Creases and faint staining might diminish with sympathetic treatment – or for a more comprehensive cure, a professional dye job. The gauges, dash, and door cars are spiffy. I admit to a door pocket fetish (is that weird?) – only because the condition of the elastic can reveal storage protocols and whether prior owners cared enough to fix the little stuff – and these deserve an “A+”. The seller notes that the air conditioning system has been converted but needs recharging.
We are assured the body has no rust, and from the admittedly average photos the paint job looks quite nice. The white top and tonneau are lightly worn, but not enough to warrant a price demerit – because this Fox Mustang is offered here on craigslist at a reasonable $14,700. If the mileage claim can be supported, that’s on the low side these days for this model. The car is located in Northborough, Massachusetts, ready for a new owner to drive home. Would this tidy Mustang be welcome in your garage?
Good write up Michelle. Nice example from 86. Remember that paint scheme well, sharp looking. 👌
5sp, convertible, white leather interior, luggage rack. Whats not to like.
Charge the a/c if you wish, and drive it. 😎
Thanks for the compliment! I love these foxy Mustangs and have been trying to decide – LX or GT? Pre-aero headlights or later? …. for the time when I finally decide to spring for one. Opinions and/or guidance welcome!
Therapists might be able to help with that door pocket fetish.
Nice GT convertible !
I owned an ’86 GT hardtop 5 spd and loved it. Fast, ran faster than the ’82, ’83 and ’84 I leased new .
Kept the invoice ($13,636.). Wish I had not sold it.
Fuel injection, roller cam, and crisp response, decent economy and ran great.
I never disputed the 6.5 sec to 60 I read these ran.
What to look for is this: long – term ownership with records!
Like the condition and long term care … and leather interior.
Really like this one.
@Michelle Rand– Short advice/opinion: GT if 4-eye, LX 5.0 if aero (but try to find one with the GT seats). 5-speed manual only. ’86 fuel injection over carbed ’85, but maybe a close call. ’86 also has the stronger 8.8-inch rear axle (7.5 on the ’85).
You will get more HP and torque if you go with an ’87-up. If convertible go ’91-’93, which avoids the “baby buggy” look of the earlier verts with the top down. ’91-’93 also have the 5-star “Pony” wheels instead of the 10-hole wheels that go back to ’85.
I love em all Michelle.
Friend had a 88 White GT vert, 5sp. The beautiful factory turbine rims. What a fun car.
Also think a 91-93 Hatchback LX in black paint look great.
Of course the Notchbacks are super cool too. 😎 🙌
Good luck w the purchase 🤝
You’re slacking off Stan! No rear gear ratios?
Lol, Everyone knows these JackO 2.73 std from the good folks at the Ford factory 🏭
3.08 was optional. Tall gears only, but theses foxes always moved out either way.
Although I’m not a convertible fan,I AM a fan of the ’86 Mustangs since it was unique in that it was the first year of fuel injection but the last year for four eye headlights.Droptop aside,this fuelie is a manual transmission and the miles are low so,ya,me likey
I wonder if the seller means all “original” except exhaust, or if they’ve added one of those intentionally noisy exhausts. Either way, easily rectified, and it’s a beauty.
Still scratch my head as to why so many sellers don’t take the time to recharge the AC unless they know it won’t take a charge and want to hide an expensive repair! It’s always kind of a red flag to me.
Good write-up Michelle. I will also admit to paying attention to the map pockets— not sure I’d call it a fetish— but I use it as a gauge on the owner’s attention to detail as to keeping a car in top shape. This looks like a nice example. I like all the Fox Mustangs but prefer the four-eyes, I think because they are a bit more uncommon to see nowadays (plus because I own one!).
Nice looking car that’s well optioned and fun to drive. The fuel injected 5.0 Mustangs have been appreciating for several years and will continue to do so. The asking price seems reasonable even with a few small issues, considering it’s not priced for perfection. Yet it’s been on the market for 29 days. Compared to some of the overpriced junk featured on this site it comes across as a relative bargain. When people complain about “regular Joe’s” being priced out of the market, they should look at this car as a way prime example of why that’s not true.
Steve R
My mom’s last car was an 85 GT convertible, with the optional fuel injection and 4 speed automatic overdrive, bought it the year she retired. When she passed in 2011, only had 85K miles on it, always garage kept
The 4 eye ’86 GT was my second Mustang, and my favorite. And, I like that the seller is asking only a little over MSRP! Go get it!
Spotted a black ‘86 just like this one on the raised ramp at a local Lincoln- Mercury dealer’s used car lot around 1990. Mentioned it to my buddy who loved Mustangs. He ended up buying it and still has it today. He had it repainted at some point but it is super clean and he’s done nothing else to it.
I had a ‘89 5.0 coupe and also a ‘93 5.0 convertible with a four speed. This gen with the 5.0 engine is very enjoyable to drive.