The early Fox body Ford Mustangs with their quad headlights – affectionately known as “four eyes” – are somewhat underappreciated in today’s market. While most enthusiasts clearly prefers the newer models, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with skewing towards the earlier examples. This clean 1986 Mustang GT convertible has some terrific period modifications (those wheels and the GTO headlight covers were on everything in the late 80s and early 90s) and while it has some needs, it’s quite clean overall. The price is a touch optimistic, so hopefully there’s room for negotiation. Find it here on craigslist in Delaware for $11,000. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Mitchell G. for the find.
In addition to those five spoke alloy wheels (I think a company named Prime made them), the seller’s car has another blast from the past: the Club! I wonder how much money the founder of this device made. It must have been an insane amount of cash, considering like the GTO headlight covers, everyone had this supposed theft deterrent across their steering wheel. I had one in my 1987 Honda Accord! It was white, I remember that. In any event, this Mustang isn’t likely to be on the list of anyone who makes a living boosting cars, but perhaps it will deter a wayward kid from slicing through the top to go for a joyride. The Mustang has an original white leather interior which is a bit tired but would look good with a re-dye. The seller notes it does need a new heater core.
The seller indicates that this Mustang arrived on his doorstep when his parents moved in, so this car presumably belongs to an older owner. This doesn’t mean it wasn’t abused, but it seems unlikely – especially given the clean condition and the presence of an automatic transmission. As a kid, I thought the headlight covers were the coolest thing you could add to a car, and I have fond memories of a local contractor who had the blacked-out versions on his Chevy Astro van. Like I said, there were very few cars that didn’t get these covers; I even recall a music video with a Saab 900 Turbo wearing them. Regardless, the paint looks very presentable on this Mustang, but the seller doesn’t mention if it was resprayed.
From this angle, I absolutely love this Mustang. I wish it were a manual, as it’s not all that far from me. The tonneau cover is in excellent condition as well, which is another encouraging sign of its general upkeep. From here, the contrast between the red paint and white leather makes it even more attractive, and I hope the next owner works to clean up those bucket seats. In 1986, the venerable 5.0L V8 made a healthy 200 horsepower, and sounded great through an aftermarket exhaust system. This GT drop-top will still make a wonderful summertime companion, so get to Delaware if you like the looks of this one.
Add the luggage 🧳 rack to this drop top and head for the coast ⛱️ 🌊 Lavery.
I had those exact headlight covers on my ’86! A blast from the past.
It has no GT decals on the hood or trunk which can be deleted from the factory so that may be correct. However, you can’t delete the rear luggage rack because the 3rd brake is attached and required by law in ’86. So something fishy there. The rear trunk lid doesn’t fit so well either so it may be from a different year car. Hard to tell if it has fog lights and the correct GT nose on it by the pics. Something to verify. Exhaust is aftermarket judging by the tips sticking out too far. Odd that it has white seats and a black top although the seats look correct. Looks like it needs a new top. And a heater core. You can probably find a cleaner one, especially in automatic, for that money.
Good job Jeff. May not be the best four eye out there, but it’s not bad. At least it’s not trashed like so many of them are. Maybe because it thinks it is still 1993.
Needs an extra pedal and lower price. Plus a good look over because its not all it seems to be. Pass on this one. There are better, real, GTs out there in the wild.
I have an 88 GT, drop top. 5 speed car. It was stolen from in front of my house, but because of the Club that I had on it the thieves were unable to drive it. They had pushed it down the street and were hacksawing through the steering wheel in an attempt to remove the club. This was in the middle of the night. One of my neighbors, who was arriving home late, caught them and saved my car in the process. If it wasn’t for that club slowing them down, who knows where the car would be now. So, I know that a lot of people laugh at them, but I would definitely call it a deterrent in this case.
Unbelievably, years later, the same car was stolen and recovered by me a second time. That’s a long story for another time.
I still have the car and the cut steering wheel (hanging in the garage). I’m able to park the car in my garage now, so no club there, but you better believe I still use it, along with an alarm and hidden ignition cut out switches, when it’s parked in public. It is a deterrent that serves it purpose. They were never meant to be a cure all theft preventer.
I do have to say though that they are not pretty and the seller isn’t doing the car any favors by showing it in the pictures. Maybe he lost the key and is including a hacksaw with the sale.
Add says it needs a heater core replacement that’s A major task r you just plug it off and only drive it on warm days.
You’re right about that. The whole dash has to be removed. I had to do that on my 88. Not fun.
The 86 automatic v8 GT’s didn’t get the 200 horse 5.0 they got the V8 out of the crown vic with the throttle body fuel injection with the lame AOD. The price of these horribly AVERAGE fox bodies Is disgusting. It also could be a late 85 build so it didn’t get the disgustingly ugly worthless luggage rack. I fought with Ford for ever to not put it on my car I told them just put the brake light on but the wouldn’t do it. My car was supposed to be bright yellow too but they said they were having trouble with that color and it ended up BRIGHT RED with the ugly rack 🤮
By ’86, the 5spd & Auto both had the same 5.0 and the same fuel injection. You are thinking of ’85 where the throttle body came with the auto trans. Yellow paint wasn’t available in ’86. The AOD’s came with 3.27’s in the rear to help it to be closer to the 5spds.
“Just needs a heater core.” That’s a $2,000.00 job!
Lol, you’ve obviously never done a heater core on one of these. You can buy a brand new one for like $50 and if you are really really slow at pulling things apart and putting it back together it will take you an hour. It’s behind the glove box, 4 bolts and it’s out, probably the easiest heater core to R&R. It’s the ’88 and newer dash that’s a nightmare.
Pretty sure those headlight covers where made by a company called GTS not GTO.
After almost 40yrs this clean Little Stang still looks good. Wish it was a manual. Unfortunately all you’ll find is broken glass and that steering wheel lock where your car was parked as an insult. Love the car.