This 1988 Ford Mustang GT convertible is a low-mileage specimen that presents extremely well, albeit with some minor issues to sort out. Ford offered this generation of the Fox body in a variety of color combos that featured the predominant red stripe going around the bumpers and side paneling, and while we often seen red on white as the combo of choice, this dark gray / red / silver combo is definitely a looker. Mileage is low at just 46,871, and the Mustang is listed here on craigslist for $16,500.
This Mustang GT appears to remain in stock, or very close to, stock condition, with the original wheels still attached and the aforementioned pin striping looking vibrant and healthy. I can’t promise anything, but it has the appearance of a car that’s never been painted. The seller states that the black convertible top is in decent shape but not perfect, likely indicating there are signs of wear and tear poking through, especially if it’s original. The rear window looks clear and the top appears taught.
Inside, you’ll find gray leather seating surfaces and an automatic transmission. The bucket seats look to be in minty shape, certainly what you’d expect for low mileage like this example has. The automatic may not set your heart racing, but lots of Fox bodies came with them, and even more so in the case of the drop top models. Inside, the seller notes there’s an aftermarket radio and that the heater core has been replaced, and the A/C system has been converted to R134 – a big job the next owner won’t have to tackle.
The venerable 5.0L V8 appears to be in completely stock condition, with not even a cold air intake installed to distort from how it left the factory. Lots of recent maintenance has been addressed, including: a new distributor cap and rotor; new spark plug wires; replaced lower and upper intake gasket; and new valve cover seals as well, in addition to other updates. Issues-wise, the right rear window doesn’t go up but the seller states the motor still engages. Overall, a solid specimen that appears to have been loved, and the seller mentions he is motivated to sell.
I could ask for dark blue instead of black, and the 5 speed would be nice, otherwise this is the car I would order if it were 1988. I love the earlier facelifted models with the turbine rims, though I hear they are a nightmare to clean. I was looking to buy one of these about ten years ago. They were going for $5-$8k as clean as this. That’s gone and bever coming back. GLWTS
Only if it had a 5 speed.
A friend of mine purchased one of these new. I was never a Ford fan, but I did feel bad for him, when the faulty ignition switch caused the car to go up in flames.
Having owned both automatic and 5-speed versions of this car, I can attest that the automatic truly saps the liveliness out of these. I’m sure there are modifications that can be made, but in stock form, the automatic is very quick to upshift and very slow to respond to driver input.
My first brand new car was a 1987 Mustang GT, T-tops ( that never leaked, I was fanatical about keeping the rubber seals conditioned and clean ) with every option box checked, except the auto tranny. I never sat in that seat without a smile on my face. Lived in Michigan, so it was put away when winter hit hard, usually Dec- March. 3 deer put an end to my joy, I missed them but got into loose gravel and hit a tree. I was 500 yards from my house, it was ruined. I had gotten married and my wife thought we should get a truck. She got rid of me 2 years later, I should have bought another Mustang.
Re Vance: Your story sounds like a country song bro!
Just for you Keith and sh*ts and giggles, this is the honest to gods truth. In 2 yrs the following occured my father died from falling down the stairs at my wedding. Totaled my Mustang, bought a new truck and hit a deer with 200 miles on the odometer. Had 3 knee operations from a fall at work and was on workmans comp for 6 months. Sold my truck so wife could finish college, she left me and took all the money. My father had no will, house was supposed to go to me and my sister made me sell it and give her half. My factory closed and I lost my job. I was moving to Arizona and I had to give away my dogs. Now that is country song.