If you wanted a 1986 Mustang GT that provided a wind-in-the-hair motoring experience but craved better security and weather protection than that offered by a traditional convertible, Ford listed a T-Top option. Production totals are hard to establish, but with only 40,678 GT Hatchbacks rolling off the line during 1986, the numbers are sure to be low. Our feature car is in excellent condition for its age, and it appears to be one of those rare beats from this era that remains original and unmolested. It needs a new home, and with warm weather fast approaching, it promises a pleasant and relaxing classic motoring experience. Located in
Glendale, Arizona, the Mustang is listed for sale here on eBay. The seller has set their BIN at $20,000, and with 107 people watching the listing, this classic has generated its share of attention.
If you examine various generations of the Mustang, the Fox-Body is the odd one out. While the Mustang II paid homage to the iconic original and later versions did the same, the Fox bears no family resemblance to its predecessors. Ford designers commenced their work with a blank sheet of paper, and the fruits of their labor was a new car that featured crisp and modern styling. It evolved over the years, but I’ve always held a strong affection for the four-eyed examples with the single slot grille. They look sharp and aggressive, and while later models were more modern and aerodynamic, I’d park this one in my garage any day. Its Bright Red paint shines nicely, with no significant problems worth mentioning. The panels are straight, and there are no signs of rust. If the GT has spent its life in Arizona, the dry climate has probably worked as an effective preservative. The glass and 10-slot wheels appear excellent, but the glass T-Top steals the show. While classed as a factory option, Ford shipped Mustangs to Cars and Concepts Inc, located in Brighton, Michigan. Cars and Concepts performed the conversions before sending completed vehicles back to Ford for final leak testing and approval. Cars and Concepts also performed the same work for buyers in an aftermarket capacity, which helps muddy the water on production totals. Confirming the T-Top’s originality should not be difficult. Factory-supplied vehicles will include a “D” under the “sunroof” column on the Door Sticker, as well as a “TR” stamped on the first line of the Buck Tag. If these designations are missing, the chances are that it is an aftermarket addition. The owner includes a Marti Report and other documentation, which should remove any lingering doubts.
By the time the Mustang II hit the market, it seemed that the badge’s “get up and go” had gotten up and gone! Thing improved marginally with the early Fox-Body cars, but it took until the mid-1980s for the Mustang to recapture some semblance of its glory days. Lifting the hood of our feature car reveals a fuel-injected 5.0-liter V8 hooked to a five-speed manual transmission. While this car would fail to match some First Generation offerings in the performance stakes, a 15.4-second ¼-mile ET demonstrated to the motoring world that Ford was serious about recapturing the glory days. The owner says that the GT has 95,000 genuine miles on the clock and that he holds verifying evidence. The car runs and drives well, and this YouTube video confirms that the Mustang’s little V8 is in excellent order.
The excellent presentation of this Mustang continues when we open the doors and slide behind the wheel. The interior is trimmed in a combination of Deep Red cloth and vinyl, and its condition is exceptional for its age. There is no evidence of any issues, with the wear-prone outer edges of the bucket seats looking particularly clean. The dash, pad, and plastic have all avoided the type of deterioration that is common following long-term exposure to harsh UV rays. The interior is also nicely equipped, and every optional extra works as it should. The buyer will receive air conditioning, power windows, power locks, cruise control, a tilt wheel, and an AM/FM radio/cassette player.
While the First Generation Mustang has achieved legendary status, the Mustang II was less fortunate. However, the Fox-Body Mustang seemed to indicate that desirability may occasionally skip a generation because the V8-equipped “Foxes” are growing in stature in the current classic market. There’s no doubt that if you went out hunting, you would have little trouble driving home in an ’86 Mustang GT for less than the BIN on this car. However, that car would probably not offer this one’s combination of originality, condition, and a T-Top. Its price appears competitive for what it offers, and I suspect that a new home will arrive sooner rather than later.
Sometimes I forget that there are Mustangs with T-tops since they are so rarely seen. This one looks really sharp with its bright red paint, when I think of four eyed fox GT’s it’s usually a white one or deep burgundy color that comes to mind for me, seems like I see that more than any other color for these. Bright red brings to mind the 86 Capri 5.0 seen every once in awhile. I’m typically partial to the 87 and up models, but this one is special. GLWTS
My brother having just graduated from HS had gone into the local Ford dealer and worked up a sales order for a 86 GT with the T-top option. I remember him saying it was more expensive to order T-tops over the convertible. When dad got wind of his ambition and my brother’s request to add it to the family insurance policy all hopes and dreams were lost. He got dads 86 GLI instead. Better choice considering his driving record up to that point.
Buddy had a 87 Loaded GT 5 sp w t-tops it was a real fun summer car. Not sure how many were made w t-tops and if they were GT only and I don’t think they lasted much past 87or 88 ? Kind of the end of the era for the t-top along w the irocZ
I was working at a high volume Ford dealership when these were new. I only saw a few of these cars equipped with T-tops. If I remember correctly they were locking units that came with two keys and storage bags. A cheaper alternative which we sold a lot of was a manual pop up factory sunroof.
Cool car but no photos with the tops off.
A friend of mine had a black ‘86 GT with the t tops. Like others have said, it was a fun warm weather car. Performance was good too.
today’s demographic are really picking up on these right now despite any odd one out classification. As the boomers move on the next seek these above the 1st gen. Guy here cleaned out the garage for cobras, a T-top and some prepped GTs. I’m gunna work the wagon (LTD/Marquis) into a daily.
Don’t know why everyone thinks the T-Top GT’s were so rare. My 1st car was an ’86 Mustang GT with T-Tops, and I recall most of the new Mustangs on the dealer’s lot had T-Tops. I still regret selling my ‘Stang. Mine was Shadow Gray with the same red interior. A lot of great memories.
My buddy had a new Fox body T-Top fastback, earlier than this one IIRC. It was red, auto, 6 cylinder and was a blast to cruise around in with those tops off.
That combo couldn’t have been very popular.
Not sure why he traded it a few years later on an ’86 Cougar.
I owned 2 of these 1986 Mustang GT cars, with Candy Apple Red paint, T-Tops, charcoal interiors, world class T-5 transmissions, competition racing clutches 8.8 posi differentials, 3.73 ratios, 10 hole aluminum rims, GOODYEAR 225VR60/15 tires, with hatchback on both, and the 5.0 high output sequential port fuel injection motors, power doors, locks, mirrors, windows, and air conditioning from the factory. Someone, (not me), sold them to a scrap shredder after our mother died, while I was long haul driving a semitruck. (I had approval from my mother to have them parked on my mother’s property because of my occupation. And no permission was granted to dispose of my property.). To pay for her funeral expenses. (This was the excuse I was given.)