1987 Ford Mustang

We are pleased to be offering for sale a 1987 V8 Mustang GT which left the production line in Dearborn on 8th September. It is actually a 1988 model year car.

We believe the car was purchased new from the Ford dealer in Guernsey in the Channel Islands by a gentleman who was a director of a company called Mediawise Ltd.

The car then moved to Jersey and was used by the company as a promotional tool for Contact 24, which was then a new commercial radio station. The car was to appear at sponsored events until the station lost its licence.

The car was then used for business on the islands for another two to three years before being shipped to the UK where once again it was used for promotional purposes.

Garaged at all times, the next twenty-five years of the Mustang’s life was limited to summer forays when the mood took.

Come 2019 and with retirement looming, the car’s sole owner to date moved to a smaller house and finally registered it in the UK. It’s first MoT was carried out at the same time.

The car has been regularly serviced and to date has covered a mere 56,000 miles.

Our seller took the car as part of a two for one swap for his old Jaguar 420G, but although he is a serial car collector, he has decided that this delightful slice of Americana is not for him. He has yet to register it in his own name, so whoever buys this car will effectively be only its second registered owner.

Oxford White proclaims the build sheet, paired with a white convertible top and white bodyside moulding. Thankfully there is a bold red stripe which rather breaks it up.

Considering the Mustang has just entered its 35th year, the paintwork has stood the test of time quite well. Being kept in a garage for much of its life has clearly helped. Yes, you will spot the odd chip and mark here and there, not unexpected.

The hood, likely to be the original, is perhaps a more slightly grubby beige in colour, but time spent with some proprietary cleaners may well yield good results. It doesn’t seem to fold as flat as it probably should, so some adjustment to the mechanism may be required. The tonneau cover does not fit at present.

We have also noticed that the offside headlight has partially filled with water which is far from ideal. Time to source a new unit.

The multispoke wheels are in reasonable nick, though the fastidious may wish to consign them to a professional renovator. Each is shod with a Cooper Cobra tyre with plenty of tread. The white lettering on them rather suits the car. We would be inclined to check their age, as rubber does not last forever.

This was a well-specced car in its day. The equipment count includes manual air conditioning, AM/FM radio/cassette player, electric windows, active seatbelts and of course automatic transmission with overdrive.

Seats are covered in grey hide and if you have already looked at the pictures, you will spot that some renovation will be required, especially to the driver’s seat. On a budget, some leather cleaner and grey dye will do wonders. Oh, and the front seats have power lumbar adjustment for optimum comfort!

The back seats are in better nick that the front, but we do note a slit on the top of the backrest.

Carpets are somewhat grubby, but nothing that a good steam clean would not improve.

Let us also not forget that this Mustang is a four-seater, ideal for fast charging days out with family and friends.

Tunes are now courtesy of a Pioneer radio/CD player, a step up from the original cassette deck we suppose. Beneath it we note some damage to the plastic trim, likely from something which was stuck down and removed. The ashtray is in poor shape too.

Boot space is reasonable, big enough for a weekend away. The grey carpeting is in fair condition but is coming unstuck in places. The board covering the spare wheel well shows significant signs of water staining. Whether this is from a major spill of liquid in the boot or from rainwater entering from outside, we cannot say.

There are also signs of light surface rust on the boot surround and the boot catch is a little rusty too. A space saver spare wheel and jack are present and correct.

We have included a selection of photographs of the Mustang’s underside and for the most part it doesn’t look too bad. There are some areas of obvious surface rust which could undoubtedly be improved with a wire brush and some underseal. A lovely way to spend a Sunday morning perhaps…

Lift the bonnet and the powerful and sonorous V8 engine is revealed in all its glory. It fires up readily and we are told by our seller that it has plenty of get up and go. The automatic gearbox we gather operates correctly, slurring easily from one cog to the next.

Although there is plenty of power, this Mustang is a cruiser, rather than a bruiser. Better to fold the top and windows away, don your best shades and head for the hills, all the while enjoying that V8 soundtrack.

We have already mentioned that this is effectively a one owner car, and it has been maintained. There are plenty of invoices in our picture section if you want to know more.

The Mustang had its first UK MoT in 2013, the mileage then being 55,968. It didn’t pass. The next test was carried out in July 2019, at the time the car was first being UK registered. There were some issues that were addressed. The same pattern for 2020 and last year. The current certificate is valid until 14th April.

Although we do not have a date for the work, we are told the transmission has had a complete rebuild, with new seals and clutches fitted throughout. The torque converter was refurbished.

The car also comes with the owner’s guide and original service book.

The chance to own a low mileage Ford Mustang at an affordable price does not come along every day. Whilst perhaps not the best looking of its type to immerge from the Dearborn factory, there is no doubt that this is an eye-catching car and an exceptionally rare sight on UK roads.

With a little attention to the interior, a new headlight and some adjustment to the hood, this muscular Mustang is surely set to delight it new, lucky owner this summer. It could be you!

So, for a chance to have this slice of Americana adorning your driveway, we suggest you place your bids right away. We estimate the car will sell for between £7,000 and £11,000.

Viewing is always encouraged, within government guidelines of course. The car is located at our Abingdon headquarters; we are open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm and to arrange an appointment please use the ‘Contact Seller’ button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’