1989 Mustang LX Convertible Spring Feature
 

Apologies up front for the poor photos and writeup, I usually do a way better job at this.

1989 Mustang 5.0 LX convertible spring feature, 5-speed. Regatta blue with white leather interior and top. 100,8xx miles. 100% stock except for Ford Motorsports 3.55 gear. All original body panels with the VIN tags in place.

I purchased this on Bring a Trailer a couple months ago because I wanted another 1989 5-speed LX convertible to replace the one I sold ~5 years ago. I never realized there was a feature car in 1989, so this was a love connection.

I've put about 50 miles on the car. It is the best running and driving Fox I've been in since I was a kid and these were nearly new. I've spoken with the original owner at length, who had the car since new up to ~2021, then it passed through a dealer to me. Loads of documentation come with.

Here is a link to the BaT auction with many pics. I have it in storage now, will take more pics as soon as I am able to get there.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1989-ford-mustang-41/

I'm up to 7 cars now, and zero time to drive them. So I am reducing the fleet. I am in the car for about $23,500 with the commission, tax, and haul. I will sell it at that price to someone here. Note, I am still waiting on Illinois for the title and reg in my name so that will take a few weeks yet I'm sure

Bump to the top. I want to drive this a couple more months, but in case anyone wants it I will sell it anytime. Price is now $22K, and that is firm. Would be difficult to find a more unique and solid summer toy at this price point.

Final price reduction to $20K, at which I am losing money as punishment for my capriciousness. This car shows far better in person and it runs/drives as good as any Fox I have owned. Only reason I am selling is that it's the end of July and I haven't had any time to drive this or 3 of my other 8 cars. Keeping up on this many old cars is impossible at my current station in life, and it's not fun anymore. I am keeping my 2 63 splits and my square body, and selling the rest to get a Porsche GT3 Touring I will drive.

I spoke to the original long-term owner again last week, and he can't praise this car enough. He wishes to keep in touch with the buyer and further document the history of the car. (Hard to believe this is a 34 year old car now--seems like not that long ago we were in high school trying to destroy these or at least permanently embed the smell of Parliament Lights in them).

Clean Illinois title in hand. Mustang is located in Naperville, IL 60563.

Adding undercarriage photos. Extremely solid and clean underneath, and no rust or repairs in the wheel arches or quarters. Lower quarters and drops are perfect.

I will take new photos of the exterior late next week. Here are the photos from the auction listing where I bought it.

I will listen to any reasonable offers. I have found my way up to 8 cars now, and my wife is going to take the internet away from me if I don't sell a couple. BaT has already accepted it to re-run at my requested reserve, but open to discussion for a clean sale.



https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1989-ford-mustang-41/

It is an eye catching little car, is the paint original?

I believe it is, but I have not paint-metered it. The original owner said it was never painted during the time he owned it (up until 2016). I can’t account for the interim. Every factory body tag is present, so I guarantee the body panels are all original.

I am FINALLY back home and will take new pictures tomorrow.

It goes to BaT if not sold by early next week.

Exterior Photos 8/11/2023

Interior Photos 8/11/2023

Committed to Bring a Trailer, so no longer available except via bidding on the auction. It WILL be sold on BAT. I will post the auction link once it's published.

Might be awhile before it's on BAT, but I finally took decent pictures that reflect the actual condition of the car, which is excellent for an unrestored Fox. There will be almost 300 pictures on the auction.

Oil just changed with Mobil 1 and a Motorcraft filter. I've fixed every minor issue I could find, and I am daily driving it until the auction. Only thing I would do is replace the generic China-brand tires someone installed. I just had the rear seat and side panel out to fix the pass rear window motor and there is absolutely no rust in the rockers or quarters. Good car to keep and possibly repaint later, as you'll never be chasing rust issues on this one. It's also very compete and original. Anyone that messes with these knows that the vast majority of repro parts are "functional replacements" and don't match the OEM form and fit. And many NOS parts are hard to come by.

I somehow ended up living about 5 minutes from where I grew up, and driving this around town is a time warp back to high school. I would keep it for a summer daily if I didn't have so many cars already.

Now I wish I'd bought it before you consigned it....

The way BAT auctions are trending these days, it might not sell for much more than that.

Now live on Bring a Trailer...

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/19...onvertible-16/

Auction ends today. Very modest reserve, which I believe will be met.

Well.... Bring a Trailer was totally unproductive, so it's still available. Price is $19K.

I'm not going to complain about BAT because they've been good to me over the years, but something doesn't add up. I didn't receive any inquiries, and there were nearly no comments (despite 6000+ views and 500+ watchers). Several times during the listing, even my own comments were not showing up in the feed. I should have raised it with BAT, but I didn't. So I own that.

^ bummer.

I love foxbodies. I still have mine.

Nick, as you know, I had a very poor first experience with my 1979 Trans Am on BAT with it not meeting reserve at $27,500 due to their poor photographer session. I gave it to North Shore Classics in Mundelein Illinois back in July and it just sold yesterday for $31,500.00. That might be an option for you. Great people to deal with. PM me and I'll give you the information if your interested on going that route. Bill

I know BAT was having technical difficulties the other day and extended one of the auctions I was watching. Not sure if that’s the case with yours but thought I would share.

Bill, I have never sold a car with a consignment dealer because I have never needed to. I already did contact Gateway in Kenosha right after the auction ended, as 2 friends had good experiences with them. I will contact North Shore Classics as well. The good thing about Gateway or NSC is that I get it out of the premises. My home garage is full, Ion Gate is full, and my warehouse in Glendale Heights is way beyond full (and we're using a 3PL in Hillside to get by.) When you have a 3 car garage, a car condo, and a 50K SF building and STILL don't have a place to store a car for the winter, that means you have way too much stuff.

Nick, Sounds like a nice problem to have, LOL. If you do contact North Shore Classics, talk to Kevin, he was great to deal with and Chuck Barnes the owner is is one of us. Great success to you selling your Fox Convertible. When your in the area, stop by. Bill

Just sent them an online inquiry to kick it off, and will engage by phone later today.

Gone are the days of Auto Trader and parking a car in the Jewel parking lot with an orange "For Sale" sign in the windshield. I miss both!

Willing to listen to any reasonable offers before it goes to the consignment dealer.

After an abysmal experience with a consignment dealer, I will have the car back this week. Willing to listen to any reasonable offers to avoid storing it until spring. Worst I could say is no.

Bump for lowered price. BaT has offered me a re-list, which is where it will go mid-January if not sold.

Committed to BaT. There is a very, very low reserve on it just because there seem to be some auctions that simply fail to launch lately, but my intent is to let it go for whatever the high bid is.

Looks like a great Mustang. I’m surprised at the comments that are allowed on BAT. Why would they allow them to trash a prior selling dealer on your sale comments and why would they be compelled to do that in the first place?

Jason

I've developed a thick skin, after 5+ years on there. The commentary can be a major positive, but if unchecked, can be a major negative. There are almost always a few inane/pointless comments. I thought about flagging the irrelevant comment about the other 5.0, but I decided to defuse it instead. It appears that worked, because the poster's next reply was favorable. It was obvious the car he bought was rough. Anyone buying a LX convertible with weld-in subframe connectors isn't likely to be happy.

This is a great 5.0, and I will miss it. I did a terrible job of marketing it initially, being in the midst of a move and several other issues at the time I decided to sell it. In all these months, not one person has even come to see it. I am certain if someone had, it would have sold immediately.

I really hope it will go to a real car guy who continues to preserve and improve it. This is a keeper 5.0. Yes, it's a miled-up car, but it's also a rust-free no-hit car with great history in amazing colors. At 35 years old, these are all coming up on needed some level of restoration / freshening unless they have been intenionally preserved in amber. This one checks all the boxes for a long-term relationship.

If my 63 Corvette was sold, I would actually just keep this and play with it another summer.

Sold to a great buyer on BaT. Best of all, it's staying local.