If you read Barn Finds, you probably admire classic cars, and when some of you started getting into this hobby, a 1967 Tempest was a 30-year-old car. That’s why your brain tells you that this 1985 Ford Mustang GT is a relatively new car. Call it a “modern classic.” Then you do the math, and you realize that an ’85 model is coming up to being forty years old despite not registering in your head as a vintage car. But time has passed, and we need to reset those meters, and possibly grab a car like this one, seen here on ebay, as our show car. If the current $7500 bid seems right to you, jump in. But note that there are five days left in the auction. If you win, you’ll be heading to Sellersburg, Indiana to pilot your new car home.
The Mustang emerged from what some consider the dark period of its history, the Mustang II era, in 1979, when the Fox Body version, of which our feature car is an example, debuted. This generation of the original Pony Car, which stretched to 1993, re-defined performance, making it possible to envision a muscle car in modern terms where electronics were not the enemy. Still, power at the time was nothing compared to now. This GT, which proudly sports a 5.0-liter engine, would have been rated for 210 horsepower in carbureted HO form. Output is double that and more if you happen to be driving a present-day GT. Hard to believe.
The cost of this one new would have been just around ten grand as a starting point, but multiple options drive the sticker up (the ad has an image of it) to near $14,000. For that, you got a lot of goodies, including AC, power windows, and T-tops. Check out the window sticker to see for yourself exactly how this car was born. It might surprise you what’s not included without additional cost, especially if you prowl new car lots these days.
Should this be your next collectible? It’s more like a snazzy and interesting daily driver than a cherry ride. It’s got around 75,000 miles on the clock, and it has had a repaint. The interior also has renewed parts and pieces, and while the claim is that the seats are pristine, they look a little battle-worn in photos. Under the hood seems to have had some good attention paid to it, as it’s cleanly detailed and ready to raise the lid at Cars and Coffee. But be careful where you park it at the burger stand, because it comes with an oil leak. Oh, and the heater core has been bypassed. That’s mentioned right at the end, and it might be a “typical Mustang thing,” as the seller says, but what that says to the discerning ear is, “someone cheaped out.” Are you going to put that right, or live with the fact that your hobby car is one big repair short of true classic status? Of course, you can always do that repair or pay for it as a way to putting this car one step closer to factory fresh. What approach would you take?
Owned one of these from 88 to late 89. I had so much fun in that little car. It would eat Z/28s and IROCS for lunch; even the TPI 350 models. Couldn’t do anything with a GN Buick though. At least not until we got past 127 m.p.h. (IYKYK). This one is a little rough. That driver’s seat looks like the T-tops are typical in thay they leak. Neat little car though and you’re right – I can’t believe that it’s been 33 years since I owned my little 85.
You couldn’t get a 140 mph speedometer in 1985, only SSP cars had that and they had the calibrated print on them. So, TMU on this one.
Not true Buffstang… Purchase your new ’85 Mustang, walk up to the parts counter and purchase a 140mph speedometer for it. Many dealerships stocked performance parts or it could be ordered through the Ford Motorsport catalog. The dealer would install it and certified the mileage.
I bought a 140 for my 1989 from my local dealership in CT, walked out, installed it myself! Looking back I can’t see how I was able to do that legally but there it is!
True, a customer could do that – but no mention of that in the ad, so Buffstang’s comment is a legit warning for the uninformed.
Minus the T-Tops, this is an exact match to my first big boy car – purchased to drive to my first active duty training station (Biloxi Mississippi), then on to my first duty station (Ogden UT). Priceless memories in that bad bad mustang…
Absolutely correct.. I had a 85 GT and bought a 140 speedo from the parts department. Very simple installation as well..
Everyone seems pretty concerned about the speedo. The current owner has had it for only 5 years so it’s possible it was changed out by the previous owner w/o knowledge of current owner. I had an 89 Chevy truck that when the speedo broke I went thru three used ones on Craigslist before I found one that worked properly. I had to always do math to figure out when the oil needed to be changed. If you think about it, most of that stuff was so easy to change in 70’s and 80’s that there’s almost no telling what’s original to the car anymore.
One of the charms of the Fox Body Mustangs is that they, even when new, were a little rough around the edges. They were at their core a (relatively) cheap economy car, not unlike the first generation. Certain things like the interior were noteworthy for their cheap materials. But, as the 5.0 evolved and improved, oh what a powertrain.
I am partial to the four-eyes, I think just because they are a bit more under-appreciated. This example isn’t perfect but is typical for a 40 year old Mustang— I think they all have had a leaky heater core. Potentially plenty of fun to be had.
Nice write-up Brian K, reminding us these are nearly 40 year old cars. Like you illustrated, if you or I grew up admiring 60’s or 70’s cars, that’s like comparing them to cars of the 20’s and 30’s.
Like you, I’m partial to the four-eyes. I was a teen when my dad had an ’85 GT like this one (just a different red/gray with that exact interior) and an 82 black/red. Loved them both. Sometimes, the most I’d get to spend with them was cleaning them for him but other times he’d let me drive them and I just LOVED them. The difference for me was the 85 was an overall smoother everything; ride, shift, running while both were just such great fun!
By the way… Besides the 85, I also had a 88, and a 92 LX.. What was cool about the 85 other than the headlights was the fact it was the very last year of the carburetor.. My 92 with the Vortec supercharger was definitely bad ass for its day, but the 85 was special to me. Wish that freaking truck didn’t blow that stop sign. Not good!!
Out 89 LX had an 85mph..140km/hr speedo if i recall. Could bury that one.
No, not if it was a 5.0 LX. They came standard with a 140 mph speedometer in 1989.
I test drove a 1989 LX 5.0 in 1989 and its speedo only reached 85. I still remember clearly the salesman telling me I was “going over 100 mph” and looking down at the orange needle in the blank space past 85. Exceptionally exhilarating car.
Who needs a heater in Indiana? I’m sure the car has been well maintained.
Who drives an ’85 Mustang GT in the cold and snow, now?
I have a very clear memory of driving my buddy’s red/tan 1985 Mustang GT with the EFI/AOD combo during a pretty bad Colorado snow storm during the winter of 1986-87. I was by myself, and there were no cell phones back then. Getting stuck would not have been good.
Fortunately that did not happen and I got through it pretty well considering the car had its original VR60 Goodyear Eagle Gatorbacks on it. I don’t think they used A/S, summer, and winter designations in those days but I’m pretty sure the Gatorback would be called a summer tire today. I had to drive very very carefully as the car was sliding around quite a bit, and the back end kept wanting to kick out. It was kind of fun once I got the hang of the car’s mannerisms.
Another friend of mine had an ’86 5-speed that I often drove. Very fun cars. I always wanted to get one, and maybe I will someday. This one looks cool on the surface but what awful photos, I’m sorry. You cannot even tell it’s a two-tone, LOL! An in-person inspection would be called for here.
I had an ’86 GT, brand new. Sold my Escort, and had my Spitfire in storage. Picked it up in early Feb. Drove it once in the snow, and immediately went out and bought a winter beater. Two reasons. One, I didn’t want the car to get an Ohio salt bath on a daily basis. And Two, those Gatorbacks couldn’t get me up a slight hill in the snow.
My dumb a$$ did….Amherst to Boston in a blizzard, for a party….same GY Eagle GT summer tires as the rest.
360’ed thru an intersection unscathed, made the whole 90 miles until….I pulled into the driveway and slide into the muther%#%$%ing front porch.
We’d need a personal reserve of at least $5,000 to fix disclosed and collateral issues after purchase.
Good luck, bidders!
Mom had the 85 GT convertible, came from the factory with an oil leak. Seems they ‘forgot’ to install the main engine gasket, would leak a quart every 3 months. Luckily, had a low oil warning light, oil pressure gauge always showed good pressure. And the early years of Fords’ efi was very problematic, should have bought stock in fuel system cleaners to keep it from stalling
If this were more local. i’d get it and relive my 82 GT that looked just like it. Only mine had a sunroof instead and no ac. I put a 5 speed in mine as i broke the 4 speed and changed the rear end to a LSD, both from a burnt 84 GT. I could cruise the interstate at 120 for miles until it started to get a bit warmed up. They put the same radiator in these as they did the 4 banger and i never got around to putting a better one since i met a Dodge Monaco head on one slippery winter day on the way to work.
My 83 GT Turbo turned 40 this year and im still finding it hard to believe. Ive owned it thirty years. And it has180 k miles on it. The body was taken down to bare metal 8 years ago. And the interior redone. The suspension was redone with heavy duty shocks, bigger anti roll bars and urethane bushings. The engine was just rebuilt and now makes 340rwhp through a WC tremec 5 speed. She still very basic. But now make more power than a modern 2.3.
340 RWH is respectable
Thanks. The cars been lightened as well. Replaced the hatch with a fiberglas unit.
Still more fun to drive! In other words you have to know how to drive.
I bought a new gt in 85. Also a new 87 gt, traded the 85 for the new one. The 85 had all the bells and whistles, no t-top. The auto trans in the 85 was like ok all I want to do is cruise and make good exhaust noise. Unless you kicked the gas pedal to the floor, the car just lumped along. It also was prone to running hot. Nice little car. But overrated performance. Now my 87 gt different animal. 5 speed different body and style. It ran great. The only real problem get up around 90-100 mph, it handled like a bag of wet noodles. I was beating the heck out of camaros, a couple of vetts and any monte carlo ss. I put a pulley kit on it, high performance air intake and a couple of other tricks. Which were bought thru ford. All bolt on parts. That little car screamed. Wish I still had it. Sold it after about five years. Bought a house and started a family. Made good money on it. Enough to buy a house.
Why have a 140mph speedo?not like it will ever get there,maybe downhill with the wind behind you…
Early 89s had 85mph speedos and later 89s had 140…. seen them both ways, but 89 was the year they changed them