Five Point Yellow: 1989 Ford Mustang LX

It's hard to believe that the Fox Body Mustang is 41 years old....well not today's example, but it is 31 and not exactly a spring chicken. Let me put that in perspective...imagine you are living in 1989 (that's not that much of a stretch) and you tried to daily drive a Ford from 1958...or even 1948!!  It just wouldn't have been feasible unless you were a real oddball....but I could easily imagine driving an 89 Ford everyday in the year 2020...because I am a real oddball! Find this 1989 Ford Mustang LX here on eBay bidding for $7700 in Scottsdale, AZ with 1 day to go.

Foxy Lady: 1983 Ford Mustang 5.0 Convertible

The 3rd generation Fox-body Mustang needs little or no introduction to most American muscle fanatics living human beings, but perhaps a refresher is in order.  Ford replaced the funky shaped Mustang II in 1979 with the Fox-body, and returned Mustang proportions to its previous long-hood/short rear end setup.  The early Foxes had quad headlights, with a grill and front end that I think is slightly cooler than the later '87+ look.  Find this 1983 Ford Mustang 5.0 Convertible offered for $9000 in Austin, TX via craigslist.  Tip from FuelTruck.

Lone Stang: 1993 Ford Ranger V8

Compact trucks are a thing of past here in the US despite the ongoing SUV and truck boom.  Ford pulled the plug on the Ranger after the 2011 model year. Rangers were made from 1983-2011 and were only available with four cylinder or V6 engines.  Ford's 302 5.0 push rod V8 is a popular engine swap option into a host of cars because of its compact dimensions.  Today's Ranger sports a 5.0 V8 transplant and can likely light up its rear tires for days with the lightweight unloaded rear end. The truck's 3200 lb curb weight is actually very comparable to a same year Fox body 'Stang.  Find this 1993 Ford Ranger for sale in Ellenburg Center, NY for $4,000 via craigslist.

What Does The Fox Say? 1985 Ford Mustang LX 5.0

I might be getting old, but the Fox body 5.0 Mustang is starting too look like a collectible to my eyes -- probably because the early examples are pushing 40 years old and my vision is getting fuzzy.  It REALLY doesn't seem that long ago that a '93 Cobra was a new ride...but I digress.  Find this 1985 Ford Mustang LX 5.0 offered for $11,500 near Chicago, IL via craigslist.  Tip from Rock On!

Auction Watch: 1991 Ford Mustang GT 5.0

Take a look a this 1991 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 here on eBay bidding for $6,600 with auction ending in 2 hours (today at 5PM PST).

7 Up Edition: 1990 Ford Mustang LX 5.0 Convertible 25th Anniversary

A few decades ago, Ford teamed up with 7-Up to (in the most American way possible) to promote cars and sugary soft drinks at the 1990 NCAA basketball championships.  The idea was to give away 30 green Mustang convertibles to people who could make a half-court shot.  Somewhere, someone got cold feet and the contest was canceled, but Ford decided to build a batch of these things anyway and call them the 25th Anniversary Edition.  Find this 1990 Ford Mustang LX Convertible 25th Anniversary 7 Up Edition offered for $3,000 in Ventura, CA via craigslist.  Tip from Sean.

Fox Based: 1983 Mercury Capri RS 5.0

The Mercury Capri was sold in three distinct generations which are commonly known as the German Capri (1970-1977), Mustang Capri (1979-1986) and finally the Crapi (1991-1994).  Obviously the German Capri is the coolest of the breed, but for day-to-day driving, I think the Fox Mustang based Capri is going to be the easy winner.  Find this 1983 Mercury Capri RS 5.0 offered for $10,000 in Dublin, CA via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.

FrankenBenz: 1983 Mercedes-Benz 280CE W123, 5.0 M117 V8 Swap

This post is part of DT's 2016 Epiphany celebration.  The next wise man is named Melchior, and comes from the wilds of Germania, but made a stop at a custom shop along the way.  Typically when someone says they've got a 5.0 in a W123 Mercedes-Benz, the easy assumption is a pushrod Ford V8...but not today.  Find this 1983 Mercedes-Benz 280CE with 5.0 M117 V8 Swap offered for $14,500 in Atlanta, GA via craigslist.

Foxerati Quattroporstang: 1982 Maserati Quattroporte

The Giorgetto Giugiaro designed Maserati Quattroporte was built on a chassis closely related to the Maserati Kyalami, which was derived from the De Tomaso Longchamp and the Tom Tjaarda designed De Tomaso Deauville.  It was powered by a few crazy complex Maser V8s which cost a fortune when the fail, so today's example seem very interesting.  Find this 1982 Maserati Quattroporte here on eBay bidding for $8,099 reserve-not-met located in Monterey, CA with 3 days to go.

5k: T-Top Gun: 1987 Ford Mustang LX

The T-Top (or British T-Bar) is one of those automotive features that elicits an instantly polarized reaction from car folks.  Some will rave about the configurable nature of its small roof panels, and others will bemoan the resulting squeaks/creaks from the resulting wet noodle chassis stiffness.  It is a discussion that has almost become moot because nobody sells cars with T-Tops anymore...but who buys new cars anyway?  Buying new is a suckers game, anybody around here will tell you pickup some old used pile of parts and keep your change --and the T-Tops.  Like this 1987 Ford Mustang LX offered here on eBay currently bidding for $7,669 with 1 day to go located in Belmont, OH.

5k: Sleeper Sedan: 1983 Ford LTD 5.0 Swap

Update: 18-Jan-2015: This 1983 Ford LTD with 5.0 swap is back up for sale, this time here on craigslist for $4,500 located in Long Beach, CA.  Tip from Sean S.

Original Feature 8-June-2014: The fourth and final generation of Ford's LTD sedan was introduced in 1983 riding on the Fox platform.  Previous generation LTDs had been big body on frame elephants and the LTD chassis donated to the revival of the Crown Victoria model.  The final mid-sized iteration of the rear-drive LTD sedan only lasted for a few years before it was replaced with the front-drive Taurus.  All were automatic transmission equipped and lackadaisical in acceleration, but today's example has a few surprises under it's smurf blue skin.  Find this 1983 Ford LTD 5.0 Swap currently bidding for $2,200 reserve-not-met with a few hours to go on ebay, located in Los Angeles, CA.

10k: Grey Market WRC Homologation Special: 1978 Mercedes Benz 450 SLC 5.0

The Mercedes-Benz R107 series roadsters and sister C107 coupes were sold for a remarkably long life span, starting in 1971 and ending in 1989.  The timeless design and mechanical robustness gave the cars a great reputation and kept buyers returning to the showroom each year without the need for drastic changes, but the US market never got the hotter engines (or cool headlamps and skinny bumpers) available in Europe. For that reason grey market cars have always been desirable.  Find this 1978 Mercedes Benz 450 SLC 5.0 rally homologation special, offered for $8,500 in Anchorage, AK via craigslist.  Tip from Zach.

10k: Low Mile 5-Original: 1986 Ford Mustang GT

The 3rd generation Ford Mustang (aka Fox body) was built from 1979 to 1993 and will forever be remember for its honest simplicity and 5.0 V8.  The Mustang wasn't as powerful as the Camaro, but it made up for brute force with character - everybody loves an underdog.  The 5.0 Mustang is now a depreciated classic, so finding one in original condition with super low miles is a special treat.  Find this 1986 Ford Mustang GT for sale in Pikeville, KY currently bidding on ebay for $8,600 with a few hours to go.

2k: Refined Redneck Cruiser: 1993 Ford Thundebird 5.0 HO Davey Allison Edition

The tenth generation Ford Thunderbird was the last of the original T-birds (the 2002-2005 retro styled reboot is better left forgotten) and shared many components with the Fox mustang, but featured an independent rear suspension and a few other tricks up its sleeve.  Today's feature is a rare "Davey Allison Edition" named after a famous and deceased NASCAR racer.  Find this 1993 Ford Thundebird 5.0 HO Davey Allison Edition for sale in Easley, SC for $2,000 via craigslist.   Tip from Art C.

10k: Not Another Notch On The Bed Post: 1987 Ford Mustang LX Notchback

The 3rd generation Ford Mustang, known internally as the Fox platform, was built from 1979 to 1993 in coupe, hatchback and convertible trims.  Interestingly enough in the classic (pre-73) market, the fastbacks demand premium money (as they did when new) and the coupes (notchback) are cheap, but the relationship is flipped in the Fox platform.  The notchback LX Fox mustangs have become collectible in their own right and are worth a few more bucks than the average (more expensive when new) hatchback GT/GLX stang. Regardless, a nice LX 5.0 notchback is a modern classic priced well today -- expect significant appreciation in the next 10 years.  Find this 1987 Ford Mustang LX notchback for sale in Roseville, CA currently bidding for $6,100 via ebay.

5k: Stang Submission: 1994 Ford Mustang GT SN95

The SN-95 generation Ford Mustang was the first major update to the venerable pony car after the Fox platform replaced the Mustang II.  Technically, SN-95 was just an update on the Fox platform and was internally called the Fox-4, but most folks differentiate the SN-95 from the Fox because it was so aesthetically changed.  The new body was designed by Patrick Schiavone (who was an automotive designer for Ford, but now is VP of design for Whirlpool...talk about a career circling down the drain) and featured smooth jelly-bean style rounding on almost every surface. Despite surface changes, the new Mustang continued to use the Fox's 5.0 V8.  Find this 1994 Ford Mustang GT SN95 5-spd for sale in Ann Arbor, MI for $7,000 via craigslist.  Seller submission from Alan.

10k: Sleeveless T-Tops: 1982 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 4-spd

The 3rd generation Fox-body Mustang needs no introduction to most American muscle fanatics, but perhaps a refresher is in order.  Ford replaced the funky shaped Mustang II in 1979 with the Fox-body, and returned Mustang proportions to its previous long-hood/short rear end setup.  The early Foxes had quad headlights, a grill and a front end that was changed in 1983 to a look that was produced for another 10 years.  Find this 1982 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 hatchback 4-spd for sale in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho currently bidding on ebay for $7,311 no-reserve with 2 days to go.