Performance Focus: 1985 Ford Mustang

When some buyers walk into a dealership to purchase a new car, they will try to combine performance and comfort. That isn’t the case with this 1985 Ford Mustang. Its first owner focused purely on driving away in a car that would reward them whenever they hit the gas. It is a remarkably well-preserved and unmolested classic with a genuine 43,000 miles on the clock. The new owner may decide to address its few minor shortcomings, but the non-urgent nature means they could do so as time and circumstances allow. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Thomas for spotting this slightly odd classic.

I have always been a fan of the front restyle that Ford performed on the Fox-Body Mustang for 1985. I have always liked the “square-eyed” version, but the single-slot air intake gives the car a more muscular and aggressive look compared to its predecessor. The first owner ordered this Mustang in Light Regatta Blue, with the seller claiming it still wears its original paint. Faulting its presentation is almost impossible because the exterior retains a consistent shine, with no significant flaws or defects. The seller describes it as a 9.5/10, and it is hard to argue with that assessment. The panels are as straight as an arrow, and the images supplied in their linked gallery reveal that this garage-kept pony car is a rust-free classic. It currently sits on a set of SSP wheels, but it is worth noting that these aren’t included in the deal. The new owner will take delivery of this Mustang wearing its original ten-hole alloys that are in mint condition. The current wheels can be included but will add a cool $2,000 to the sale price.

Lifting the hood reveals the first part of the equation that demonstrates the first owner’s performance focus with this Mustang. They equipped the car with the 5.0-liter “HO” V8, backed by a five-speed T-5 manual transmission and a 3.73 Traction-Lok rear end. The “HO” brought upgraded suspension to ensure this pony car could cope with the additional performance. The engine should produce 210hp and 270 ft/lbs of torque, allowing the Mustang to cover the ¼-mile in 15.3 seconds. The seller added headers and a dual exhaust with an X-Pipe and Flowmasters which may have unlocked a few extra ponies. They recently replaced the radiator and water pump and treated the original alternator and carburetor to a rebuild. It has always been appropriately serviced and comes with comprehensive documentation that may verify the claim that the Mustang has a genuine 43,000 miles on the clock. It runs and drives perfectly, and is ready to provide its new owner with years of classic motoring pleasure.

One glance at this Mustang’s interior confirms the first owner’s performance focus because it is about as “bare-bones” as you could order in 1985. The buyer doesn’t receive such luxuries as air conditioning, power windows, or power locks, and they even decided to delete the radio. However, the seller fitted it with a NOS GT wheel and the driver swaps ratios using a Hurst shifter. The interior could be the car’s weakest point, with a crack on the dash around the radio speaker grille and stains on the passenger seat. The seller believes professional cleaning may reduce the impact of the stain, but does include some NOS cloth if the buyer wishes to hand the problem to an upholsterer. Otherwise, the interior is quite presentable for a classic that has graced our roads for thirty-nine years.

The seller listed this 1985 Ford Mustang here on Craigslist in Reserve Township, Pennsylvania. Their price of $23,000 might be optimistic without the SSP wheels, but it is consistent with current market expectations for a car of this caliber. However, the fact it has been on the market for nearly a week suggests they haven’t been inundated with potential buyers. I believe it will find a new home with someone more concerned about outright performance than a luxurious motoring experience. Is this a Mustang you might consider parking in your garage?