Some seller claims must be taken with a grain of salt, while others withstand scrutiny, courtesy of a selection of documentary evidence. This 1988 GT Hatchback falls into the second category, with the seller including paperwork that confirms that it rolled off the line on the last day of 1988 Mustang production. They take this a step further by stating their belief that it may be the final car produced during that model year. It is a genuine survivor that presents well and is ready to head to a new home. The seller has listed the GT here on eBay in Rocky River, Ohio. Bidding sits below the reserve at $15,001, although the intense action suggests that the situation could change at any time.

The Fox-Body Mustang first hit showroom floors for the 1979 model year, bearing no styling similarities to its predecessors. It was beginning to show its age by the mid-1980s, with Ford planning a replacement in the face of falling sales. However, buyer backlash at the prospect of the new model featuring front-wheel drive forced the company’s hand, with a facelift performed for the 1987 model year that gave the Mustang a fresh, new, and more modern look. Our feature car left the factory during the final day of 1988 production, as supported by the selection of documentation that the seller includes in the sale. It wears a combination of Dark Gray and Titanium paint that makes a stunning visual statement. The seller’s photo quality is sadly lacking, making it impossible to determine whether there are any cosmetic shortcomings. The seller doesn’t mention any problems or prior repairs, and the paint holds a healthy shine. The plastic is undamaged, and this Mustang scores further points with the first owner’s decision to order it with a factory T-Top. The glass is clear, and the wheels show no evidence of stains or physical damage.

The listing indicates that this Mustang has a genuine 30,685 miles on its odometer, and the interior condition is consistent with that reading. The Gray cloth trim is free from wear, with the vinyl and plastic equally impressive. The seller admits that the dash now houses a Ford Motorsport 140mph speedometer that was fitted before delivery, but they include the original unit so that everything is verifiable. The interior also doesn’t lack on the creature comfort front, with the first owner selecting air conditioning, power windows, power locks, power mirrors, cruise control, and an AM/FM radio/cassette player.

By the time this Mustang rolled off the line, The Malaise Era was becoming little more than a distant memory. Ford had breathed new life into its 5.0-liter V8, allowing it to produce 225hp and 300 ft/lbs of torque. Buyers could team the V8 with an automatic transmission, although many selected the five-speed manual found in this car to maximize the performance potential. The power and torque figures may sound modest by modern standards, but considering what was at a driver’s disposal a decade earlier, the GT was a breath of fresh air with acceleration and a top speed that the badge deserved. The seller provides no insight into this classic’s mechanical health, although their insistence that everything works as it should suggests it is a turnkey proposition.

Theoretically, the final examples of any classic should be the best examples produced by the manufacturer. By the time those cars leave the factory, any production issues and design problems should have been eliminated, meaning that those vehicles should hide no nasty surprises. This 1988 Mustang GT should fall into that category, and the included collection of documentation seems to support the seller’s claims. That and the car’s overall condition and originality have undoubtedly contributed to the fact that it has attracted twenty-three bids at the time of writing. How high will the price climb before the auction ends? That’s a tough call to make, because values have softened during the past year. However, I would be a very surprised little pumpkin if it didn’t hit $25,000. Do you agree, or do you have another figure in mind?