The pages of automotive history books are littered with examples of vehicle manufacturers joining forces with an outside party to produce a Limited Edition model. Some are more successful than others, while some stumble before production begins. That was nearly the fate of the 1990 Ford Mustang “7-Up” Convertible. The model eventually faltered twice, but enough were produced to guarantee it became a desirable classic. Our feature car is one of those vehicles and is an unmolested survivor that presents exceptionally well. With summer in full swing, escaping for the weekend behind the Mustang’s wheel could prove irresistible. It is listed here on Craigslist in Ridgefield, Washington. You could park it in your driveway by handing the seller $15,500.

It is not unusual for vehicle manufacturers to develop links with non-automotive companies. Just think of Lincoln with Cartier or Bill Blass and AMC with Levi. The Mustang was slightly different because there were three organizations involved. The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) joined forces with soda company 7-Up on a planned center-court basketball competition. They liaised with Ford to produce thirty unique Mustang LX Convertibles in 7-Up’s corporate colors, and the concept was simple. A member of the public would attempt a single shot to sink a basket from center court at designated games. If they succeeded, they drove home that night in a shiny new Mustang. However, the program collapsed before it began, with only two cars rolling off the line. Ford had invested considerable time and money into developing the car and saw releasing it as a Limited Edition model as a means to recoup the costs. Sales fell short of expectations, but they have since become desirable vehicles. This Mustang wears its original Deep Emerald Green Clearcoat metallic paint, and its presentation is difficult to fault. The paint shines impressively, with no significant flaws or defects, and the panels are free from bumps, bruises, and rust. The White power top is new, the plastic trim hasn’t deteriorated, and the 15″ aluminum wheels have avoided the pitting and staining that can plague these items.

The 7-Up package brought no mechanical upgrades, meaning everything below the skin is typical Mustang fare. The engine bay houses a numbers-matching 5.0-liter “HO” V8 producing 225hp and 300 ft/lbs of torque. Shifting duties fall to a four-speed automatic transmission that channels the power to a 2.73 Traction-Lok rear end. Standard equipment included power assistance for the steering and front disc brakes. Cars like this Mustang confirmed that American manufacturers were coming to terms with fuel injection and engine management technology because this car could cover the ¼-mile in 15.5 seconds. That figure is not startling by modern standards, but it blew in like a breath of fresh air for those who had lived through the misery of The Malaise Era. It is worth noting that Ford offered buyers the four-speed automatic and a five-speed manual transmission, with 2,743 buyers selecting the self-shifting option. This car has a genuine 70,000 miles on the clock, and although the seller doesn’t mention supporting evidence, it may exist in the significant collection of documentation. The new owner receives the original Owner’s Manual, Warranty Book and Ownercard, Window Sticker, and a Marti Report. It runs and drives perfectly and is ready for some relaxed top-down touring.

Corporate colors were the driving force behind the development of the Limited Edition Mustang, with the paint and trim reflecting 7-Up’s combination of Green and White. Thus, the interior is trimmed in predominantly White leather and vinyl. There are splashes of Black and Gray carpet for contrast, but the effect is quite classy. The seller indicates the seats feature new leather upholstery, while the remaining vinyl and plastic have avoided the dreaded curse of yellowing. However, it was the door pockets that immediately caught my eye. I’ve lost count of how many Mustangs from this era I have seen where the interior has been let down by these items sagging, but this one has avoided that fate. That gives it a tick of approval in my book, as does the lack of aftermarket additions. The only fault worth noting is that the driver’s safety belt doesn’t appear to retract properly. The reel system could be gummed up by years of dust, which means cleaning and appropriate lubrication might address the issue. Otherwise, the interior needs nothing. The new owner receives a driver’s airbag, air conditioning, power windows, power locks, a power driver’s seat, power mirrors, cruise control, a leather-wrapped wheel, and a premium AM/FM radio/cassette player.

When the NCAA 7-Up promotion stumbled at the first hurdle, Ford attempted to recoup its investment by releasing the unique trim and paint package it had developed as a Limited Edition model. It planned to produce 5,000 vehicles, but lower-than-expected demand stopped production after 4,103 cars had rolled off the line. Thus, this model had the dubious honor of failing to reach its production target twice. However, that hasn’t stopped the 7-Up Edition from joining the ranks of the more desirable Fox-Body models. This car’s overall condition and originality make the price look highly competitive, and like many Mustangs from this era, values are climbing relentlessly. Therefore, this gem could represent an enjoyable classic and an excellent long-term investment. I can’t think of anything negative about that scenario. Can you?