If you’ve got four-eyed pride, it’s hard to look the other way when checking out this 1986 Ford Mustang GT. It’s loaded up with T-tops, a brand-new crate 302, manual gearbox, and recent paint, and while it’s not perfect, it looks like an awesome driver with some subtle modifications to make it even more fun to hustle. The four-eyed Mustangs have a loyal following all of their own, myself included, and we don’t see them much these days in condition like this and with many of the most desirable options fitted. Find the Mustang here on craigslist in Land O’Lakes, Florida for $12,500.
The seller admits it’s far from perfect, even with the respray, and it sounds like it was done to a driver-quality level. That’s fine with me, as most of the onlookers won’t notice the occasional overspray or drip mark in the paint, or maybe even some bad masking here and there. It will still look great from ten feet away, and for a summer car you can drive the doors off of, that’s all you need. This Mustang comes with the matching red cloth interior with the upgraded bucket seats featuring generous side bolsters, and of course, the preferred manual transmission. The T-tops are a take-it-or-leave-it affair, but I like them on this car.
In many ways, dropping in a fresh crate 302 may make the most sense when dealing with a tired car. The listing description includes that there’s 116,000 miles on the chassis, which isn’t crazy high but it’s certainly enough on an engine that hasn’t been loved. The 5.0L V8 is a fairly trouble-free engine, so even with mild neglect, I’m surprised a new engine had to be sourced, but it’s still a huge value-add for the next owner who basically gets to drive a nicely preserved Fox body with a brand new engine to break in. The drivetrain has been upgraded with a B303 camshaft, mass air conversion, and a 3.73 rear end.
The repaint must have included removing and re-installing the emblems and badges, as they’re all accounted for here. I can’t quite tell if that exhaust is the standard part or aftermarket; there are no details in the listing of it being a louder, performance-oriented assembly, but most every Fox-body these days seemingly has one. The Mustang rides on nearly-new tires, and also comes with a fresh battery, new water pump, and replacement timing chain. That’s some valuable work already done, and combined with the new crate engine, this 1986 Mustang GT should be trouble-free for years to come.
Even though the seller says it isn’t perfect, it does look good from the pictures. A four-eye Fox Body with a new engine and other upgrades, with a manual transmission, that’s a good combination.
A Fox Body Mustang (including the four-eye) is hard to beat in the collector car market for the combination of sporty looks, performance, fixability, relative affordability, common drivetrain, aftermarket support, ability to modify. The interiors were a weak point quality-wise, but otherwise— buy one and have fun.
Excellent cars. Best looking year, hands-down…’85 was cool but the 7.5 rear in ’85 was a real weak point, along with no true dual exhaust until ’86. ’86 for the trouble-free, reliable, and more fun than a barrel of monkeys for not a lot of money win!
I too own an 86 just like this, but white. Same interior. Has been a fun car to own and pretty trouble free. Just over 90k on the clock and gets better fuel
mileage than both other vehicles.
I’d feel not the slightest hesitation taking out the highway, or to a road car track day and just hammering it. All the tricky work’s been done, it’s not looking to be a show car, so you won’t be worried about the occasional stone. Open the tops, let the sun in and thump it.
That hood tells you everything you need to know about the chassis and what happened to the original motor. Maaco specials and a crate motor don’t make a $12500 car out of an abused roller
The ask is a bit high, I’d like it about $7K – $8K range. I like a driver’s quality car because that’s what I do for them. I stop sort of worshipping patina, I tolerate it, and do not accept adding fake rust and stuff. A car like this you can drive without worrying about hurting the value.
On a separate note, the T-tops are a minus for me, the lack of rigidity does not make up for occasionally opening the leaky and heavy roof panels.
Yikes the typos! That’s what I do with them and stop short are what I meant to type. The brain and hands are not playing well together today.
Why would a recently installed crate engine need a new timing chain; wouldn’t that be part of a new engine. I do like this car though and think it would be a blast to own and drive regularly.
My guess is it was an upgraded chain with the B303 cam he installed. Foxes are the next big collector. Theyve always been popular but were thrashed over the years and the prices are starting to rise on them. Just like the older crowd reliving their youth of the 50’s-70’s, the guys who knew these 80’s cars are trying to gather some youthful memories. Im diggin the color combo on this one. It seems like a nicer car that you could just get in and drive. An attractive 4 eye, cowl hood looks good, 4 speed yessir, and t tops are nice. They are a nice option to ride around with, if the seals are sketchy put new ones in and youre good to go. Drive it!
Hello,
I am the new owner of this fox. The original hood with graphics was sold with it. The car is rust free and believe it or not the t tops do not leak. Torque boxes are solid. According to the carfax it lived in Georgia until 2010 and came to Florida. The car did need minor work. I have replaced the suspension, and brakes. She now shares the stable with a 2014. I agree its not a 12.5k car and paid a lot less lol.
Congrats on the purchase!
I love the 4-eye Fox bodies.
This one looks nice. – Good luck!