Notchback. Red. 5.0L V8. 5-speed manual. Those are some pretty magical ingredients for a Fox-body fan, and this 1993 Ford Mustang has all of those features and then some. Most importantly, this Mustang also has only 53,102 original miles, so it’s a true low-mileage survivor that the seller claims remains completely stock. While the Cobra tends to get all the glory, the notchback Mustang coupe is a great buy right now as the next best thing with performance that is almost as good for thousands of dollars less – and let’s face it, the notchback has always been better looking than a hatchback. Find the Mustang here on eBay with bidding at $25,476 and no reserve.
The Fox-body Mustang has long been a darling of the collector car world. But as the current bid price shows, true-blue survivors are going to cost you some real money. Truthfully, even I’m a little surprised at the number here as while the Mustang does look quite nice, I wouldn’t call it overly-detailed, either, with plenty of room for improvement from a cosmetic standpoint. Still, the collector world knows the notchback body is where it’s at, and that there aren’t very many around these days, especially with under 60,000 original miles. The seller confirms this Mustang is bone-stock, and I don’t see the telltale signs of a cold air intake under the hood.
The interior is in excellent condition and certainly looks like it belongs in a car with as low mileage as this one. The sport bucket seats are trimmed in gray cloth, and red over gray is a great look for a Mustang (or any performance car, really). The console is in excellent shape as are the door panels. The map pockets look like they haven’t lost much of their elasticity, another measure of determining how accurate the odometer rating is. The carpets look just as clean, and really the only thing I’d change in a cockpit like this is losing the stock airbag steering wheel for a sportier three-spoke job. The seller claims this is a real-deal two-owner car and that everything works inside.
The engine bay looks far cleaner from this angle than it did above. So, factor in what is likely factory red paint with the mint gray interior, and you have a very original car that will still be able to pick up its skirt and run when called upon. The temptation to put an exhaust on anything with a 5.0L was resisted by the seller, even knowing full well how bad-ass his Mustang would sound with some aftermarket pipes. The bids are rapidly approaching $30,000, so buckle up and bid soon if you want to have a chance at bringing this survivor Mustang home. Do you think the final sale price will go over the $30,000 threshold?
about five years ago, my best friend sold his one-owner, less than 26000 mile, 1991 GT hatch for about $16000 CDN. I don’t see why this would be over $30K us. I love the car, and would gladly take it OR the equivalent hatch, but the price is questionable. Just proves bidding is a good thing for the seller.
1) That was 5 years ago. A lot of change since then.
2) Notches are significantly more sought after in the market than the hatch is.
Because this is way more rare and much more desirable.
Rare does not equal desirable.
I’d love to own this car (or the equivalent hatch), but about five years ago, my best friend sold the 25000 mile ‘91 GT hatch he bought brand new for $16000 CDN. I don’t know why this would be bid over $30K US, but overzealous bidding is always a good thing for the owner.
Check the seller’s eBay feedback before you send any money…
One sale over 6 months ago for $580 and NEGATIVE feedback from that.
1993 was the year Ford re-rated the Mustang’s 5.0 V8 down to 205hp from 225hp previously. There were no changes to the engine, and Ford claimed that the 225hp rating was a mistake and the engine put out 205hp all along. Those who knew the 5.0 well were skeptical, as the engine’s performance on a dynamometer was consistent with a 225hp rating. They speculated that the real reason was because the upcoming 1995 SN-95 Mustang would use a 215-hp 5.0 with a low-profile intake, and Ford didn’t want the new model to carry a reduced horsepower rating.
Actually Ford had been steadily detuning the 5.0 since 1988 as the move from Speed Density to MAF metering and reduction of camshaft ramp rates sent power downward. Not saying that the lower power ratings weren’t related to a bit of marketing, but the 1987-88s were screamers compared to the later models and could get into the 13’s with a modicum of tuning.
The ’89 and up MAF engines were sought out compared to the earlier speed-density versions, which didn’t automatically adapt to modifications as easily as the MAF system did. Nonetheless, I owned an ’87, an ’89, and a ’91, all bought new, and there was no discernable difference in acceleration from the driver’s seat in stock form.
You are correct that the ‘89-‘93 cars were sought out, but that’s because MAF cars responded infinitely better to modifications than the SD models. Stock times from all publications at the time showed 1/4 mile times well into the 14 second range, and Evan Smith got a stock ‘87 or ‘88 LX (can’t remember which) into the 13’s with 1/4 tank of 93, 16 deg, initial timing, and a removed air silencer. As stated, both the EEC tune and the cam were more aggressive in earlier years, and the cumulative changes over from ‘87-‘93 were reflected by higher ET’s across the board.
Actually, there was an internal change in the engine from forged to hyper-eutectic pistons in 1993.
Very red, with 48 bids.
Jeff I think you nailed the analysis of this car. For Fox Body fans this one checks most of the boxes, including the not too high, not too low mileage. It probably does have some cosmetics which could be improved, typical for a thirty year old car. I’m not particularly surprised at the solid bidding.
My .02 …The stock exhaust sounded best. One of the sweetest notes ever from a factory-installed unit.
“… the notchback has always been better looking than a hatchback.”
*wipes away a tear* Thank you. I thought I was the only one who felt that way.
Ken we owned an 89 LX notch. Funny now i prefer the look of the hatchbacks.
My pick a 91-93 model in black paint. With the factory 16″ five star rims.
Notches were good looking, and made good racers too, but do not discount the great utility of a hatchback. Over the years I have owned many and they are almost as good as a small pickup for certain things. Plus you can bunk out in them in a pinch.
Hey,first time posting. I own an 89lx 5.0 notch. I had dyno test,max HP output 189.after programming for chip,D/tested 194hp. I also have an 87lx 5.0 conv. It is bone stock and definitely not a “screamer “.factory 225hp is definitely not true.