No question, the last few years have brought significant price appreciation to the Fox body Mustang. With its launch in 1979 and a long production run through 1993, these Mustangs had plenty of time to influence a couple of generations of drivers. Older buyers were attracted to the return of performance, while younger buyers appreciated the Mustang as a brand-new sports car. And it was a vast improvement over the Mustang II, a subcompact offering – quelle horreur! – a four-cylinder. This last-year Fox body GT convertible is located in Beachwood, Ohio, and the odometer shows a reportedly original 40,650 miles.
The new Mustang was designed by a team led by Jack Telnack. Directives governing the configuration of the new car included offering at least two body styles – a hatchback and a notchback – both incorporating the long hood/short deck blueprint that distinguished a pony car; aerodynamic and sporty lines; and of course, utilizing the Fox platform. While the Pinto four-cylinder remained on the engine menu, buyers could also choose Ford’s 302 cu. in. V8, offering about 140 hp in 1979. Thanks to aggressive development, that 302 grew in output until Ford measured it at slightly over 200 ponies by the time 1993 rolled around. The long production run and the popularity of the 302 have fostered a flourishing aftermarket performance industry; with a few relatively simple swaps, the 302 can put you on the race track. This car is equipped with an automatic, which some buyers will not tolerate. No word on the car’s running condition.
The driver’s seat is worn but not so much so that it couldn’t be improved by a good leather treatment. Those door pockets degrade with age as the elastic gives way, and the carpets could use a cleaning. But the dash and its switches are clean and the gauge faces are bright. The seller doesn’t provide decent photos of the convertible top; an inspection or a phone call will be required to confirm its condition.
Speaking of photos, the listing here on eBay doesn’t include a single one showing the entire car. The car wears a bra on its front end, likely preventing stone chips though it doesn’t do much for the car’s looks. All the same, bidding has reached $4050, reserve not met. This car is listed on other venues with no more information than we see in the eBay ad. Most likely, the paucity of information and photos involving garbage bags are restraining the bidding here. Late model Fox body Mustang convertibles – even burdened with the automatic – typically sell for twice the current bid or more. It’s almost worth a call to find out what the seller will accept to move this one along; what do you think?
Good write-up Michelle. Fox Body Mustangs in good shape bring solid money, including automatic convertibles. This one might be nice, but I agree that the poor presentation isn’t doing it any favors. Even an automatic with (gasp!) gold wheels should be an easy sell, especially if the mileage is legit and it is unmodified and the overall condition can be verified.
Please, someone rescue it from those ghetto-fabulous wheels!
The 1993 Mustang GT was downrated to 205HP from 225HP in prior years, despite no mechanical changes. Ford’s official reason was that the 225HP rating was a mistake. Automotive media noted that dyno tests of prior Mustangs indicated that the 225HP rating was accurate, and suggested that Ford downrated the engine for 1993 so that the 215HP Thunderbird 5.0 to be used in the 1994 SN-95 Mustang would be an improvement in power rather than a loss.
Yes, gentlemen, I forgot to mention those horrific wheels – whatever possessed the owner!
Interesting take CC. I kind of wondered What happened to the HP rating too in 93. Earlier models had 225 HP like you said. Beachwood Ohio too. Within spitting distance of me on the west side.
Ok, the worst wheels I have EVER seen on Barnfinds…
if the wire wheels were chrome, it would be passable.
The Gold plated wires really make it look like a pimpmobile.
All thats really missing is a fake Rolls Royce grille (with an ostentatious hood mascot) and continental kit… fake or real, (the real one could feature a 5th Gold plated wire wheel!)
The major drawback: The small back seat would be impractical for carrying Hoes (and other gardening implements)
I like almost everything about this car, except the wheels of course, but I never liked that tail light treatment on the GTs.
Just one more thing. I notice the connector for the turn signal flasher I think? Hanging below the glove box. My LX does the very same thing no matter how carefully I tuck it up into the dash. Must be a feature not a big.
Bug.
Those wheels make it pimpalicious! It’s the shizzle!!!!
Ok, ok, enough about the wheels! They can be removed, let’s move on about the car! The fact is, the Fox body mustang has created its own niche within the muscle car industry! After the end of a long run out of Detroit, churning out muscle mania for over 20 years, the insurance companies and goverment (along with long lines at gas stations during the early 70) brought an end to the muscle car era, per se. The advent of the Fox Body Mustang, brought back into fashion a muscle car, once again! These cars have really appealed to a segment of the market place, and still affordable to the novice buyer who wants to enjoy a muscle/sports car, plus a great investment!
The Fox body GT’s and 5.0LX’s were the predominant American performance car of the late-80’s and early-90’s. Performance magazines featured them in nearly every issue. The staging lanes at the local track was filled with them, Buick GN’s came in second, that couldn’t be said about that generation F-bodies (though that changed with the introduction of the LS engine). A whole generation grew up with the Fox body as the go to “muscle car”, they are now in their 40’s and 50’s, they aren’t novice buyers. Just like the late-70’s Trans Ams and Z28’s developed a strong following so are the Fox body Mustangs and rightfully so. The 93 Cobra, 87-93 5.0 LX coupe (notchback) and 5.0 LX hatchback are by far the most desired, their values will only continue to grow.
Steve R
Ended at 5K, Reserve Not Met.
The novice buyers are first time buyers entering into the market place who cannot afford those high dollar figures currently reflected in the market place which DOES include many from this era who could not afford the Fox body while in high school, or has this car included on their bucket list! You have to be inclusive of ALL when taking a reflection of buyers, not limit the scope of potential buyers! These cars are still affordable and will continue to increase in value, in the future.
I grew up a Ford guy, but I never cared for the looks of the Fox-bodied Mustangs, although fun to drive. The Camaro/Firebird had way more personality in the looks department.