Mostly Original/Powerful 5.0 Liter V8/Original Paint/Recent State Inspection

1989 Ford Mustang GT Convertible

Jack Telnack was a VP of Design at Ford of Europe from 1972 to 1976. He and his team focused on aerodynamics to help reduce fuel consumption on Ford's European cars as fuel was still much more expensive than in America. He used the wind tunnel to aid in designing some of his vehicles such as the Granada, Rally Escort and the European Capris. His designs had a very European functional design with low front ends, slopping hoods and in some cases slant-back front ends. Several milestones were made with the 79-93 Mustangs such as the resurrection of the Mustang GT, turbo four-cylinder models (SVO and Turbo GT) and the Cobra and more rare Cobra R models. Not only are the Fox Mustangs popular with enthusiasts and racers but they are being considered classics by more and more people.

Welcome to 1989, and this consignment in the form of a 1989 Fox Body Mustang GT convertible. The consignor states that this car is mostly original, having only had some minor engine modifications and 16" wheels added on. The original paint is on with a few areas of fading, and some normal bumper wear as well as dings, scratches and scrapes, but overall, an original 65,552 mile survivor.

Exterior
Factory applied Black covers steel panels that have a few aforementioned faults, but nothing real serious. Below the midline is titanium gray, and this runs around the car creating various coves and flares, as well as some embossed badging on the rockers. A few spots on the lower trim have faded, since wearing off and revealing the yellow plastic below. A black convertible top in good condition is above and it has a clear glass rear window. 1991-1993 16-inch chrome pony wheels are all around and are wrapped in 225/55R16 General blackwall rubber. Some minor hazing and yellowing is noted on the aerodynamic headlight covers but otherwise they and the fog lights mounted below are in good shape. Bringing up the rear is a black luggage rack on the trunk lid and the factory installed cheese grater style taillights below.

Interior
All original and all Scarlet Red and black for the door panels with their tweed inserts, swooping armrest, power window and lock controls, and vinyl covering upper and carpeted lower. Sticking with the Scarlet and black theme, tweed and vinyl cover the sport articulated buckets in front and across the back is a rear bench mimicking the pattern of the front buckets. The dash is red and original with black inserts and has the factory AM/FM/Cassette player installed in its original location. Very clean (not unlike the rest of the interior) red carpet floods the floors and has been well maintained with very little fading. A shout to the trunk which has its original unspoiled felted lining, presenting very nicely.

Drivetrain
Under the hood is an original 5.0 Liter V8 which shows some nice patina but is clean. This is fed by electronic fuel injection and has an AOD 4-speed automatic transmission on back. A Ford 8.8” rear axle with 2.73 gears is noted to push this car along.

Undercarriage
Very slight surface rust is seen but mostly structurally solid unibody construction with clean floor pans and rockers. Factory headers snake their way down to dual exhaust with new Xlerator mufflers before exiting via turndowns at the rear bumper. Independent coil springs on the front and a 4 link with coil spring suspension for the rear are noted with the rear suspension having new shocks. Power front disc brakes work in conjunction with power rear drums to bring this pony to a whoa.
Drive-Ability
This car fired right up and handled the test track with flying colors. We do note that there was no action on the up and down front for the top, so we can follow our consignor's assumption that the top motor may be bad. All other functions were working well including the rear windows, which are a known problem. A good handler, and tight car throughout, so a thumbs up goes to it.

Mostly original here folks, complete with its battle scars, and faults, but overall, really nicely preserved survivor. And of course, engine power from the 5 liter that is sly as a Fox!

VIN DECODE
1FABP45E3KF283225
1-USA
F-Ford Motor Company
A-Passenger Car
B-Active Manual Belts
P45-Convertible GT
E-5.0L 225 HP HO V8
3-Check Digit
K-1989
F-Dearborn, MI Assy Plant
283225-Sequential Unit Number