With the ongoing growth in popularity of Fox-Body Mustangs, it’s no great surprise that we’ve seen a few examples cross our desks in recent times here at Barn Finds. Their condition can vary widely, with some looking dog-eared and tired, while we occasionally see examples like our feature car. This 1989 Mustang GT presents superbly, and with a genuine 5,567 miles showing on its odometer, that’s no surprise. There’s not much to fault about this classic, and it has generated plenty of interest since the owner listed it for sale here on eBay. It is located in Melbourne, Florida, and has already attracted an impressive forty-three bids. This action has pushed the price to $31,500, but it is yet to hit the reserve.

It is always a bold call to describe a car that is thirty-two years old as appearing to be factory-fresh, but I am willing to stick my neck out with this Mustang. Its overall presentation is close to perfect, with the combination of Dark Shadow Blue and Silver paint shining superbly. There is no evidence of any faults or problems, while the panels appear laser straight. The news below decks is equally positive, with no evidence of any rust issues. The plastic trim is in good order, while the glass, including the optional sunroof, seems to be flawless. The wheels and tires aren’t original, but this represents a strategic move by the owner. He retains the original alloys and Goodyear Gatorback tires, which are in as-new condition.

When you begin to delve into the mechanical specifications of the later Fox-Body Mustangs, it’s easy to see why their popularity is on the rise. Apart from the fact that they are nice-looking cars, they also signal the moment when companies like Ford had finally discovered how to build vehicles that combined respectable emission standards with decent fuel consumption and performance credentials. If a buyer bought a new Mustang in 1979, the best they could hope for from its 302ci V8 was 140hp and a ¼ mile ET nudging 17 seconds. Wind the clock forward a decade, and the 5.0-liter V8 rolled out of the factory sporting fuel injection and electronic engine management. Suddenly, the driver has 225hp at their disposal and the ability to blast through the ¼ mile in a neat 15-seconds. Yes, the performance V8 was definitely back in the house! That is what potential buyers can expect from this GT because it comes equipped with that V8, a five-speed manual transmission, a Traction-Lok rear end, power steering, and power front disc brakes. The owner claims that the vehicle has a genuine 5,567 miles on the clock, and while he doesn’t mention it, I wouldn’t be surprised if he holds evidence that verifies his claim. He says that the car has no leaks or problems and that it is ready to hit the road with its new owner behind the wheel.

The owner doesn’t supply any photo that provides an overview of the Mustang’s interior, but when you piece together those that are present, they reveal an interior that is in as-new condition. The overall condition is as good as you might expect in any car with a four-digit odometer reading. There is no wear on any of the upholstered surfaces, while the vinyl and plastic are flawless. The seats look comfortable in their gray cloth, and the driver’s seat features a power lumbar support. That signals the start of a reasonably long list of comfort features designed to make any trip in this GT a pleasant experience. As well as the sunroof, the buyer will receive air conditioning, power windows, power locks, cruise control, a rear defogger, a tilt wheel, full instrumentation, and a premium AM/FM radio and cassette player.

The Fox-Body Mustang is part of the badge’s history, but it stands apart from every generation that has carried that badge. The original cars possessed iconic styling that remains immediately identifiable through every successive generation. However, if you removed the badges, people would struggle to recognize these vehicles as a part of that lineage. The styling is crisp and clean and shows no family resemblance to anything before or after it. However, these later Fox-Bodies undoubtedly carried their spirit, which is one reason why their popularity is growing. This car has generated plenty of interest, but the bidding hasn’t reached the reserve. Considering what it offers, I wouldn’t be surprised if it will need to nudge $40,000 before that happens. This is an auction that will be worth watching.