The Fox body Ford Mustang has become so much of a household name in the project car dictionary that you might forget to appreciate a truly nice one when it comes along. Now, I’m not saying this example is necessarily that car, but it sure seems to possess many of the credentials we’d look for in an attainable modern classic. This example here on eBay has some thin paint and other minor cosmetic flaws but otherwise seems solid; however, the current bidding and unmet reserve may indicate too lofty of a price goal.
What’s concerning is the bids are already past $7K and the reserve remains unmet. Right there, my gut is telling me this Mustang – despite all of its pluses – may be a touch overpriced. Sure, it’s got decent original paint, the period-correct louvers, an unmodified 5.0L V8 and some tasteful SVT wheels, but the bottom line is these are not difficult cars to find. Sure, a later model will absolutely be easier to track down, but you can sniff these out or its Mercury twin without too much pain.
The interior is in impressive condition and is my favorite part of the car. I love red interiors inside of black cars, and this one doesn’t disappoint. The manual transmission is a must-have and it looks to even retain an OEM cassette deck. The seats appear undamaged, as do the door panels and carpet. Someone took great care to not damage this interior, and they don’t often look this nice in a car of this vintage.
Under the hood, you have to appreciate seeing an unmodified 5.0L. So many of these have cold air intakes, headers and more by now that it’s almost jarring to see one left stock. I believe the strut mounts are missing their rubber dust covers; a minor qualm but they do serve a purpose. There’s zero information offered about recent maintenance or the presence of a detailed service history, which would potentially help justify the seller’s asking price. What do you think it should be worth?
While the car does appear to be basically stock, it’s had some major mods made. It now sports a five lug bolt pattern, which involves some work to achieve and the suspension has been modified. The reason the dust covers are not on top of the struts is because this car now has adjustable camber plates and the dust covers will not fit. It’s a nice car and nice to see it has a/c I also like that it’s a hard top – no sun roof or t-tops
Good eye! I missed the adjustable caster/camber plates. One of the first mods I always did. Well, after the sub frame connectors!
What’s concerning is the bids are already past $7K and the reserve remains unmet. Right there, my gut is telling me this Mustang – despite all of its pluses – may be a touch overpriced.
This statement clearly tells me your out of touch with fox body values.
Nice ‘Stang, Jeff. “The Boss is Back!” Someone in my home town had one of these in deep red. Once I was following him driving a friend’s ’85 Rabbit 5 sp EFI and decided “What the heck…” and quickly learned the Rabbit was substantially faster. I would have crashed into his rear bumper each time he shifted if I hadn’t been on the ball. But for enticing young women to embark on a joy ride the Mustang wins every time. Thanks for the memories!
I’m sorry, then that guy was poorly driving the 82 GT. They’re not very fast by today’s standards, but in the mid 80s, these were among the fastest cars you could buy. 0-60 around 7.8-8.1 sec, quarter mile in the high 15s to low 16s. I doubt a standard 85 rabbit could accomplish that…or even the GTI.
Hi Sal – I would tend to agree with you based on the numbers. However I drove a number of Rabbits back in the day including at least two GTIs, and this particular four-door with 5-speed and EFI (which was optional in ’85) was one of those rare cars that must have got a randomly balanced and blueprinted motor by luck of the draw. It was an unmodified freak. I can’t say if the Mustang driver was short-shifting, but even when he was in the power band the Rabbit was hanging tight. I suspect your instincts are correct, but at least one Rabbit could accomplish this.
The 82 GT was the fastest car in the U.S you could buy in 1982.
I had the same car in high school… 86 or so, raced a GTI from school to the last bus stop before my town (a general store 15 miles away ) I let him go in front of me, I passed him in the first half mile and never saw him again. I went in the store, got a soda and candy bar and sat on the porch waiting. He pulled in halfway through the soda. But… At lime rock they’ll both probably run 1:05’s, there wasn’t much brake on them. 9″ drums rear and maybe 10″ front.
Fox bodied 5.0 / 4 speed Mustangs are getting hotter in the collector car market, I estimate he’s looking for 10K.
Bidding reached $8300 but the reserve was not met. EBay auction has ended, Appears to be a NO Sale. Perhaps the Seller is looking for $10k but in my opinion $8300 is a reasonable offer that the Seller should seriously consider.
Probably one of those auctions where the seller will keep lowering the reserve (and expectations) until it sells.
The 5lug/Cobra wheel/axle upgrade is @$3000. right up front. Should have put 4whl Cobra disc brakes(@$1200) too.Then $10k might be achievable. Nice car but, $10k gets you a CHP 5.0 same condition.
I still like the classic metric Michelin wheels better, and now you can buy reproductions in English sizes making many choices in tires.
Love the period correct two-shaft Alpine head unit!!
These just get better looking the older I get, especially in black.
man, i can just imagine hammering this on a twisty 2-lane back road, hear that two-barrel carb kick-in & slam me back in the seat as all 160 (!!!) horses are unleashed….
They were quick for their time. Outran the 5.0 litre 4 bbl Z/28 with a 5 speed. And the ’83 came with a Holley 4 bbl! Fun cars. Didn’t take a lot to make them go!
Definitely. Any car that broke into the 15’s in the quarter trapping over 90mph was damn fast & there were very few that could pull it off even with a pro driver
I laughed reading your comment, and no these aren’t all that fast…now. But back then it was this car and the Camaro 5.0 that truly started a revival of performance cars from the factory and it’s still going strong today many years later, and we have Ford to thank once they pulled their heads out of their a….and got back into the swing of things.😉
Happy you got the humor!
I graduated high school in ‘84 & am very familiar with every pseudo performance car of the ‘80s. Still have the CD, MT, & RT mags with the comparos.
I respect the Mustangs & Capris as they got things rolling again, crude as they were. We were/ a GM family & had 3rd gen F-bodies. It’s just funny to look at stats back then now
Would one with 100,000 less miles and the all important Marchal fog light covers and TRX wheels and tires be worth $10,000?
I went to ebay and it was gone already, but what is really amazing is that there is another one in blue that is just as nice less than $4000.00 right now! It is nicer than this one as far as I am concerned! LOL
sometimes i think all world is gone nuts, right now every jerk thinks every car older 10 years and less then 200k mls is worth more than a brand new one
8k for a Fox Body and reserve still unmet? Com’on
Fox’s are increasing in values.
$8k for a clean Fox Mustang isn’t uncommon, right now.
I still say, get one now, because you just don’t see, unmolested foxes today. They will only increase in value.
8k doesn’t buy you much in the fox world anymore.
Not for nothing, but that stereo is definitely not the factory item.