After the controversial move going from the extra huge Mustang (’71 to ’73) to the Pinto based Mustang II (Pintang? ’74 to ’78), there was a certain rejoicing among the Mustang faithful when the Fox-body model arrived in 1979. The Fox-body version was extremely successful and had a good long run from its inception until 1993. Featured here, and found here on craigslist in Miami, is an LX model 5.0 liter coupe body from the final year, 1993, and listed for sale at $11,000.
The early ‘80s were not kind to most domestic automobiles, performance models in particular. The Mustang was no exception, initially, but as the ’80s wore on, the pace of Mustang’s gallop quickened. In 1987, Ford made the unusual step of offering a 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine as standard equipment in the Mustang LX model with the 225 HP 5.0 liter V8 as the sole option – nothing in between. The Mustang GT only came with the 5.0-liter motor but the GT was considerably more visual with its spoilers, fairings, and louvered tail light covers. The LX was the plain sister.
The body style choice is one feature that sets the Mustang apart from its nemesis, the Camaro. While the Camaro was offered in a hatchback coupe at first and then later a convertible, the Mustang offered hatchback coupe, convertible and a notchback coupe like this example. And it is this notchback model that was a favorite with highway patrol departments and continues to be a hit with hot-rodders due to its lightweight and tight body structure. The body on this example appears to be solid though the finish is worn but it does have a popular sort of patina to it. It also appears to be dent free.
Under the hood is the preferred 5.0 liter V8 which in this last year of Fox body production was rated at 205 HP instead of at 225 HP as the previous six years were. Ford claimed that nothing had changed for 1993 and the previous six iterations had been overrated by 20 HP. I don’t know what the real case was but I can tell you from experience these 5.0 engines, coupled with a T-5 manual transmission, like this car has, get up and go!
The owner mentions some nice replacements/upgrades like suspension, brakes, clutch, springs, alternator and more. The underside is remarkable clean.
Moving to the interior we see a clean and tidy setting. The backseat appears to have never been used though the headliner has a few issues. The owner indicates that the carpet has been replaced and there is a new Pioneer stereo with speakers present.
I haven’t followed Fox-body Mustangs in awhile so I’m not sure what the range of market value currently is for an example like this but I can tell you that these cars are a lot of fun and respond very well to modifications. This one is particularly nice, however, due to its originality and its street-worn look. This example would be a great way to get into the muscle car hobby.
I’ve owned a number of these 5.0 coupes going all the way back to 1982 through the 1993 models, and currently have an ’86 5.0. They are indeed fun to drive with the T5.
Nice to see the prices appreciating on decent examples.
Rumor back in the day was that Ford re-rated the 5.0 for 1993 so that they could claim an increase when the 1994 Mustang went on sale with a 215-hp rating, lower than the earlier models due to its lower-profile intake.
Today, changing nothing and lowering horsepower by nearly 10% would result in a class-action suit and/or a fraud investigation.
Funny, I hated it when the ’94’s came out, slower than the previous Mustang, not even a match with new Camaro’s and Firebirds performance wise. I’ve never had the same interest in 5.0’s or the early 4.6 from ’94 on, outside of the 5.8 cobra R.
I thought the 93 5.0 was down rated in HP to make the 93 Cobra’s 235 hp seem like that much more.
Whoa, looks like a bunch of random pics of 3 different fox bodies in the ad.
Should be 205. The cam had a lot of minor changes from ’87 not to mention the move from speed density to mass air flow in ’90. They eventually re-rated it.
Five figure prices for Fox Mustangs are now common, they indeed have appreciated in recent years. This one clicks several boxes: later year LX, notchback, 5.0, 5-speed, mostly stock. Has had quite a bit of maintenance and some upgrades. But I didn’t quite follow the paint story, that looks to be its downside (plus it is not a low-mileage example).
The seller probably staged some of the pics to make sure we know what else he/she owns…..
Well, we know he owns about a 22 foot boat, a newer Mustang and a mobile home, I guess.
And a fairly new Mustang also. Really not a bad life. Some have it better and a whole lot of people have it way worse.
I had much rather have one like this than one of the early stangs. If you compare this price to a early k code mustang this is a pretty good bargain:
What’s up with the different paint finish from pic to pic? Also, the 5.0 emblems are different from side to side. Curious.
Hurst short throw shifter, Flowmasters, some sort of aftermarket ram or fresh air set up, possibly larger throttle body and mass air meter, not sure about the upper intake manifold, curious if it still has the stock 3.08 rear gears or swapped to 3.55’s or lower, most everyone who drove these things back then who was into the scene had some kind of mods. Or you were a spectator.
Wonder if the in tank fuel pump is up to snuff. Hate those. Also wondering if this has the “off road” H pipe….
three zeros too many.
The 93 LX 5.0 Mustangs did not have black moldings around the belt line. That was only on 87-91 cars. My guess is that the pics at the end are meant to show what the car originally looked like. Then stripped of paint to all black. Then the new paint where they left the moldings black and painted it a flat strawberry color of sorts.
That original strawberry color was very rare back in 93. There were a bunch of the standard colors like Black, Red, Silver, and believe it or not, Calypso Green. Reef Blue, white, this Strawberry color (don’t remember the name) were far less common. The rarest color was a dark navy blue color. Only saw two of those back in 93.