Love them or hate them, the Fox-Body Mustangs were in production for 15 of the Mustang’s (so far) 55 years. That 3rd generation was by far the longest lived all (so far) 6 Mustang generations. This 1988 example was sent to us by an anonymous Barn Finds reader who found it here on eBay in Harrisonburg, Virginia. The reserve appears to have been met after 17 bids have pushed the price to $8,950.
With 50,282 built, the 1988 Ford Mustang GT wasn’t rare by any means. However, those GT hatchbacks equipped with T-tops were, as only 3,747 buyers chose that option. Coming off of 1987’s mid-cycle face lift, the 1988 Mustangs remained largely unchanged. The buying public must have liked what they saw from the 1987 models, as production increased 32% as the Mustang far outsold the Camaro and Firebird combined.
This Mustang was a one-owner car until 3 months ago. This car has covered just 105k miles in its 32 years with only 600 of them being added by the current (second) owner. The seller tells us the car has been garaged its entire life and is wearing 95% of its original paint. No detail on what the 5% unoriginal portion is, but the Oxford White paint shines and looks very well preserved. Trim that is typically faded and worn on these appears to be in tip-top shape.
The grey interior is equally impressive. The seats look like they could use a cleaning, but I don’t see any rips, tears, or excessive wear. The seller notes the driver side lumbar support doesn’t stay inflated and the radio doesn’t work.
As all 1988 Ford Mustang GTs were equipped, this one has the 5.0L V8, which is backed by a 5-speed manual transmission. Aside from a new radiator, everything looks fairly original under the hood. The clutch was recently replaced, but there are some areas that may need to be addressed, including inoperable cruise control, sometimes functioning gas gauge, and rust on the shock towers.
Mustangs seem to be a popular choice for the collector. Cars are generally affordable with parts and resources being plentiful. I know the Fox-Body cars aren’t for everyone, but this one appears to be in relatively good condition and has the somewhat difficult to find T-tops. Is this a winning combination for you?
I always thought ’87 was the last year for t-tops. A buddy of mine bought his ’88 GT new and the salesman told him they stopped producing the t-top.
Nice but overpriced, these cars are made cheaply. Besides radio, lumbar and gas gauge expect window switch’s, horn, rear defogger etc all to malfunction. 4 thousand to five is tops anyone should pay. Once it finds it way onto Barnfinds price rockets.
Winning bid $10,400. Looks like quite a few people thought it was worth a healthy amount. Further evidence of continuing strong prices for Fox Bodies.
I agree, there were some cheap parts in Fox Bodies. But that is part of why they were well-respected for their ‘bang for the buck.’
1988 Was the last year for the T-tops, though they are very rare. I’ve read that somewhere around 300 cars were produced. It’s possible the availability stopped partway thru the model year, which might explain what the salesman said. This is a very desirable car. Too bad it does not have red interior. Or a different color exterior. White over gray is about as bad as it gets!
I have heard that T-Top production ceased early in the 1988 model year. I never heard why.
Good example of a used but not abused Fox Body. A low-cost low-stress way to be part of the Mustang hobby.
I think White over Tan is as worse as it gets.
I must be one of the ones who like Foxbodys – Have owned, 81 Mercury Capri, 81 Mercury Zephyr Z7, 81 Ford Durango, 84 Mercury Cougar LS; Own currently – 90 Mustang LX. None had t-tops except the Durango had a sunroof.
If it was “garage kept” then how are the shock tower rusty?
I agree. That seems odd.
A seat shampoo would be a better smell & look.
There’s a grey on grey color 87 Mustang GT T-top in Colorado Springs, Craigs with 92,639 miles. If it’s the same one from a year ago that I saw, sold on Ft Carson, the guy got the owner to drop the price to $4,500 from what I recall him telling me due to the owner moving. The current owner’s price is $6,000. Not as original as the one featured here, but still nice for a better price:)
I was looking at getting a 90 mustang that looked just like this car. But it had a sun roof instead and it was two tone dark gray and light gray I don’t remember what color the interior was. It had the 302 with a 5 speed manual transmission and had 50k miles on it. Then the dealer sold it 2 days before I got enough money to get it. Then when I could of afford it I was going to rip out the 302 and transmission for a 427 and 4 speed manual transmission or a 429 scj or which ever engine I could find first.
I have been trying to find this exact car. If anyone has a white 1987 or 1988 Ford Mustang with T-Tops, Manual Transmission, Gray Interior, feel free to email me, especially if stock like this one. begoodlovegod@gmail.com God Bless.
I have a red 88GT With 2 tops original owner in the Maryland area
I am about ready to buy a 1988 Mustang GT with t tops. It is red with gray interior. It has the Cobra hood with the 2 scoops on it and the Cobra spoiler. The guy I am buying it from says it is all original and stock with numbers matching powertrain. I am getting it for $8500. What do you think?
The 1988’s were actually ordered in 1987. the 1988 Ttop Fox was actually an 87, but, because the build didn’t finish until 1988, it carried the 1988 title. I’ve read there is a very rare 1989 floating around, but have never seen one stich of proof.
I believe the reason Ford stopped the option was that these things leaked right off of the showroom floor. Too many recalls on the wind noise, rattles and water intrusion was the end of the option on the Fox. I feel this is partially do to the unibody design Ford used too. Flex was the cause to several of these issues.
Regardless, I own an 87 Ttop myself, I don’t care about wind noise or rattles, and the car is never driven in wet weather, I love it!
I bought it because it had ttops. Nothing cooler than crusing around in the summer, tops off and enjoying the open air. Gets a lot of looks too!