1988 Ford Mustang GT

Description

5.0 Mustangs like this 1988 Mustang GT convertible were arguably as big an influence on car culture as the original small-block Chevy. Putting traditional high performance within reach of almost everyone with a checkbook, it shouldn't be a surprise that Ford built millions of them. However, for those same reasons, finding one that hasn't been abused, raced, cut up, modified, and thrashed to within an inch of its life is definitely a challenge 20 years later.

Fortunately, we were able to round up this 5-speed GT convertible in an appealing red-over-white color combination. Judging from the completely stock condition, including the easy stuff like mufflers and air filters, this Mustang has never been raced or abused. Red is especially tough to maintain, so this one was repainted once a few years ago and has just the right look for a performance car that's about 30 years old. Today it's showing a great gloss and surprisingly little orange peel, although there are a few minor signs of use here and there. The urethane ground effects that give the GT its unique look are in excellent condition, and both doors fit well because the body hasn't been torqued by big horsepower and sticky tires at the strip. All the black rubber parts that usually turn gray with age and UV damage are supple and dark, including the window sills and inserts on the trunk-mounted luggage rack, which was Ford's way of disguising the CHMSL on the ragtop Mustangs. And, of course, the "cheese grater" taillights are in excellent condition, the headlights haven't turned cloudy, and, well, someone clearly loved this Mustang.

The white leather interior is inviting and functional, with supportive buckets that were some of the best on the market in 1988, although they're a little worn today and that's where this GT could use the most TLC. The dash is simple, with great high-visibility gauges, fingertip controls for headlights, and big rotary knobs for the A/C system. Leather was one of the few options on the GT and the white and red combination really pops. The center armrest and ashtray door are intact, two plastic items that rarely survive the years, and an aftermarket cup holder remedies one of the Mustang's few shortcomings. This GT offers A/C, power windows and locks, cruise control, interval wipers, and a recent AM/FM/CD stereo head unit in the dash. And since this is a pre-airbag car, it's got a tilt wheel, which makes a big difference in terms of comfort. A white power top offers a glass rear window and the trunk is in good condition throughout.

The 5.0 liter EFI V8 under the hood is the reason the Mustang was the pony car of choice for an entire generation. Great sound, bulletproof performance, impressive torque, and an aftermarket that could transform it into anything your wallet could afford. This one is largely stock, and hasn't been raced or abused, and it runs beautifully. There's plenty of evidence of careful maintenance over the years, including new plug wires, but it's so stock that even the rubber boot over the distributor is still intact. This pony also carries the highly desirable 5-speed manual, which feeds a set of 3.08 gears in the Track-Lok 8.8-inch rear end. Undercoated and clean, this is the kind of Mustang we all long to find and which is becoming increasingly scarce today. The 16-inch Pony wheels come from a slightly later 5.0 but of course they look exactly right and carry 225/55/16 performance radials.

Documented with the original window sticker, invoice, and manuals, and with a known ownership history, you won't find many 5-speed 5.0 Mustangs that are this stock and this clean. Call today!