Update 6/7/2018 – Robert really needs to get this Mustang moved out of his garage, so he’s dropped his asking price to $14,500! It looks to be a sweet and well sorted Fox body, so if you’d love to give it a new home, be sure to contact him via the form below. He also sent over more info, which you can find above the photo gallery.
From 5/18/2018 – Fox Body Mustangs continue to enjoy favor with enthusiasts when kept in good condition and devoid of tacky aftermarket parts. This example, our latest Barn Finds exclusive, was sent in by reader Robert Ornelas, who has completed a significant overhaul of a rust-free car that was originally equipped with an automatic. The look can be described as OEM+, and mileage remains low at 52K.
The Mustang has been repainted in the not too distant past, and a variety of improvements have been made to the chassis. Robert notes: Suspension upgrade, tubular/boxed rear upper/lower control arms. New (Z code 5 speed transmission) Motorsports clutch. Rebuilt differential with new bearings. Clutches for posi and 4.10 ring/pinion. New steering rack. Koni shocks and struts. SVT wheels with Nitto tires. 4 wheel disc brakes. All done in great taste.
The seller has upgraded the interior as well, choosing to stick with an OEM theme and raid from that year’s Mustang Cobra parts bin. Upgraded with ’94 Cobra interior, black seats, black carpet, door pocket delete. Alpine stereo with Bluetooth. The car was originally automatic and very clean original condition when I started. The airbag light was on when purchased and is still on; the module requires replacement.
Underneath, the Mustang is very dry and showing no signs of rot. Lots of other details have been tackled, including swapping the A/C to 134A and a host of engine upgrades (GT40 intake, 70mm throttle body w/cold air intake to fender, E303 roller cam and true roller timing chain, aluminum radiator and electric fans. Includes MSD tune up kit and SplitFire plugs); the seller simply doesn’t drive the car as frequently as he intended, hence the sale. Give him a shout if you’re interested!
From Robert – I have spent $24k on this ride only because it had such low miles on it when I got it from the original owner. But Ineed the garage space. So if you need any other info on this ride just let me know. Everything was done in great taste I just wanted it to be one of the nicest Fox bodies around. I had forgotten some details like the sn95 alternator and underdrive pullies, plus the 70mm throttle body. The one-time complete repaint was done in 2016. The interior was ordered from TMI, front and back seats include padding for that new car seat comfort. All emblems are new. Front and side glass new. I have looked at other stock mustangs going for a lot more that need to be gone through. And need a lot of attention but I think the 2 needed items on this car is the airbag module and left rear park brake slightly sticks even though I purchased a complete kit to swap from drum to disc brake and cables. I think this car is just sitting too much. But I will have the park cable checked and fixed before sale.
Location: Belton, TX
Asking Price: $16,500 $14,500
Mileage: 52,000
Title Status: Clear
If you have a classic that needs a new home and would like to sell it here on Barn Finds, you can read more about getting it listed here!
I like these cars, not many have survived, even less unmolested. Nice original and tastefully modifies ones will start commanding good money as time goes by, just like the late-70’s early-80’s Trans Ams now do. I think the LX’s will have the greater following, especially the coupes, the bolt on body work of the GT’s hasn’t aged well and will hold them back.
This looks like a nice car, but he may be a bit early, and the car too modified to get his asking price.
Steve R
Nice car but he’s asking terminator money (03-04 cobra) those are the most desirable cars before, during and now after. GL with the sale!
$16,500 will not come close to buying a really nice ’03-’04 Cobra.
You’re not looking hard enough!
Love it; except for the tacky, aftermarket smoked head and tail light covers.
Apparently he likes to paint the centers of his hoods.
If I may point out the painted hood probably came from a 85 or 86 gt they had that graphics package. The rear gt badge is from the same model year the tail lights are from the 85 model year too. I had a 88 gt so I’m partial to these cars everybody has that car you sold but that your damn sorry you did.
Why are installed junk yard parts called an “upgrade”?
Agree with previous comment about the hood, it looks like the hood from my old ’86 gt. I like the mods on this one, after all, these were drivers first and foremost, built for enthusiasts and backed by a very strong aftermarket. But I must admit I am partial to the LX models, just a cleaner appearance and probably a bit lighter.
Seems to me the T-5 in my 5.0 had such a low first gear and strong low end from the engine that even with stock 3.08 gearing the car was already troublesome off the line, 4.10 gears would have only magnified that point.
I agree that the hood graphics are reminiscent of an ’86. But it is not an ’86 hood. As it is different and will not fit on an ’87 or newer nose/bumper set-up. I agree that the 4.10 rear diff is too much for the street. Making 1st gear virtually useless. 3.73 gears are pushing it for street use if you want to have some decent fuel economy. (3.55 to 3.27 ratios are the best compromise for street use with a T5. And yes I know that there are different ratio gearboxes.) Also I was never able to get the Konis adjusted correctly for a proper firm but not harsh ride. I prefer the Bilsteins. (I actually have a set of KYBs on my present ’87 5.0 LX and I have been very satisfied with the ride and the control. Or maybe I am just getting old.) The car is pretty but the price is about 30-50% too high out here in the non-rust states.
When I had my ’86 I had kyb’s put on at my favorite shop, JBA. Those guys were really in tune with the 5.0, or really Ford’s in general, and their shop was about ten miles from where I lived. I thought the ride was a bit stiff but it sure handled good, I also downgraded in tires on mine as the gatorbacks were expensive and really not all that great for straightline racing. By 230 thousand miles I’d had the clutch replaced twice (heavy duty Motorsports both times) the T-5 rebuilt at least once, tried two different Hurst shifters, flowmaster 2 Chambers, KnN filter, timing set at 13, and looking to help weight transfer I removed the AC and was able to use a shorter belt as I hardly ever used the AC. All the real work I had done at JBA, oddly enough I never had them install their smog legal “shorty” headers which is what they were known for by the 5.0 crowd. Great memories.
I like it as is! I agree on the “tasteful” upgrades! I think it looks quite “serious”! Not overdressed nor garish in appearance! As for the knock on “used parts usage”, you use what your budget allows and if there is nothing wrong with the parts, then you have given them a second chance!! Nothing wrong with that! I really really really wish that some of the regular commenters would take some “Anger Management” classes!!! It would do a lot of good for a lot of other forum readers!
(yes, I’m WAY late to the game)
Nice ride in my opinion at a “not too bad” price. I’m one of the ones that have owned a few of these over the years. Mods are always according to taste, but at least he’s stayed in the Mustang family for the most part. I agree with Steve R, I think these are the next late 70’s Trans Ams. I never thought I’d see them sale for the stupid prices they’re going for now. Heck, the Cobra’s of this vintage are already sky high. Anybody who wants a sensibly priced, non hot rodded GT or LX 5.0 for an obtainable price better find a nice example and hold on to it. I’m betting five years from now it won’t be pretty!
A no reserve auction would say what it’s worth !
Even though the 24K spent looks and sounds great, most buyers are looking for an unmolested original, of which there are still many available in four figure prices.
All the best to the seller. May be well worth the asking price, but too hard to say as so many of these cars have been modified.
Car’s are a labor of love and a waste of money ! Build to enjoy and keep, knowing you’ll lose your A$$$$$ in most cases…
Stick it on EBAY in a no reserve auction for 3 days and it will be gone before you know it.
Edit: John beat me to it.