Just this morning, I saw one of my favorite muscle cars out in the wild: a notchback Fox body Ford Mustang. I could tell it was stick based on the exhaust note at the gear change, and the take-off from the stop sign. It dawned on me that the shape of the notchback transforms it from a familiar fastback-style design to a hard-edged coupe – and that’s a very good thing. This 1993 Ford Mustang LX listed here on craigslist shows under 60,000 original miles and is equipped with the preferred 5-speed manual for $45,000.
Thanks to Barn Finds reader Barney for the tip. This is a chunk of change for a Fox body that isn’t a Saleen or Cobra, but I understand why the seller is asking top dollar. Finding a pristine notchback in the wild with three pedals and a V8 – not to mention outstanding cosmetics – is no easy feat. The only modification from stock are the OEM+ Cobra wheels, and the seller retains the original 5-spoke alloys. The red paint is also a factor here, as you rarely see it on a non-GT or Cobra model. This appears to be the LX 5.0 variety, and someone likely special-ordered it when new.
The cabin is just as minty fresh as you’d expect for a low-mileage car, and the cloth buckets show next to no signs of wear and tear. The owners have clearly worked diligently over the years to keep it in a preserved state, and there are no obvious modifications beyond an aftermarket stereo. The seller notes he has modified the exhaust system, installing a fairly standard Flowmaster system. You’ll also note that the typically sagging map pockets on the door panels look brand new. The seller also notes he has the original purchase paperwork from a Florida dealership.
There’s not even an aftermarket cold air intake in the engine bay, a clear indication of how stock this Fox remains. The seller doesn’t say much about maintenance, and it certainly has enough miles on the clock to warrant some level of fluid and belt changes. Regardless, the beauty of the Fox body is that there’s very little heavy lifting to do service-wise beyond the tweaks owners make to make the car their own. The Mustang produces 205 b.h.p. and 275 lb.-ft. of torque when equipped with the venerable 5.0L, and this one likely makes a little more thanks to the exhaust upgrade.
Very clean and (mostly) stock. The Cobra wheels don’t look out of place at all. Fun license plate. The seller knows his car hits a sweet spot for Fox Mustangs.
Thanks Jeff.
I know everyone raves about the notch backs. Do not get me wrong, a great car, they look fine, but I prefer the hatchbacks. Just so much more practical. Time to bring cars with hatch backs……back. Say goodbye to the silly 10 year payments on a new crazy pick up that you never take off road and haul that boat, 2 or 3 times a year with. Damn, I miss brand new cars . Please come back cars. Esp little hot hatches that are a blast to drive and break 40 MPG with out a sweat. I just bet there are a bunch of huge SUV and PU owners salivating over that idea these days. Gas is $4.56 a gallon down my road, for regular, and the cost of the deisel might make me cry, if I was foolish enough to own something that took that.
These were/are good cars and this is an excellent example, but not liking it for 45,000
This appears to be a gorgeous car. The Cobra wheels look great, but so do the factory Ponies. This is the preferred body style, other than Cobra’s, with the right transmission. It’s expensive for a reason, but the asking price, $45,000, for one of these with 55,000 miles is a stretch. Though I wouldn’t be surprised if this or another 5.0 5spd notchback in similar condition pulls this sort of money down the road.
Steve R
45K 😂😂
Even with very low miles and a manual, I don’t think it’s going to sell for anywhere close to $45,000.
I have seen numerous convertible and hatch LX’s in red but it is rare to see a notch that color. The Cobra wheels look good and if you’re going to own one of these, it’s pretty much mandatory that it’s a manual. This one checks a lot of boxes and looks to have been well cared for. I am not sure it is worth the ask, but these notches (especially mostly unmolested examples) are continually bringing more and more money so maybe the seller will find this Red Fox a new home.
Beautiful car, wasn’t something like this a 10 to 15K car just 10 years ago. Hopefully something good will come of the SN95, I have a ’96 GT, all original except for wear items, belts, brakes, struts etc. Original clutch (188K miles) still grabs nice, original exhaust and original Mach460 stereo. Only mod I’ve done is the sequential turn signals in the rear. I have the original harness.
Yea, $45k seems high. These sell all the time for around $25k in this condition. I think one would be hard pressed to get this kind of scratch for a convertible in like condition. Nice pony though.
Agree, it seems high. Convertible FOXes tend to sell for less (heavier, less good looking to most). Value-wise, it’s notch, hatch, vert, in that order, all other specs being equal, of course.
this seems way overpriced to me by about 20k.
Sports cars from the late twentieth century are sad. Can they even be called sports cars anymore? It seems like emissions, efficiency, and safety pretty much killed them for a couple of decades.
OK, we get it…
You. Do. Not. Like. Fox. Bodies.
But for many out there these (BTW, I have owned 5 Foxes, 4 Mustangs and a Turbo Coupe) are well made, durable and very fun to drive. Not to mention the availability of aftermarket parts.
Actually, to be honest, you guys have almost converted me; I’d drive one if I got the chance. I was just saying that in the way of looks, 80s-90s sports cars were sad for the most part, not just the Foxes.
Nice ride. A little optimistic on the ask, tho. Maybe if the wheels were on an actual Cobra……..
Sorry, at 45K, nostalgia loses. I’ll take a brand new one, thank you. Even the 4 cylinder model has over 300HP.