Original survivor one owner LX Mustang

Description

The Fox Mustangs are 40 years old now. I'm going to let that sink in while you look at how clean this 1989 Mustang LX 5.0 hatchback looks. Basic black paint gives it a low-profile look, while a stout 5.0 provides plenty of old-school V8 motivation. With an extraordinary documentation package and spare parts from a Mustang enthusiast, this is a fast, affordable, fun pony that hasn't been beaten or abused but certainly packs a serious punch. ... The clean lines made the LX somewhat of a sleeper in the early '90s, but everyone knew to look for the 5.0 badges and the twin polished tailpipes out back. Today, it's practically invisible among all the stripe-wearing GTs and Shelby Mustangs, but the clean, unadorned lines of the LX look as good as ever. The original paint is holding up well, with only a few minor signs of use and age, and there's a light gray pinstripe which also highlights a crease in the bodywork that's otherwise invisible on a solid-colored car. There are no indications that this car has been raced, wrecked, or otherwise mistreated, with doors that close easily and great panel alignment throughout. It's showing some age, but a high-end professional detail would make it look like a million bucks, and to the previous owner's credit there's not even a wild-looking wing out back. That suggests that the guy who built this one had good taste as well as a desire for horsepower. The gray interior is remarkably well preserved, offering sport bucket seats covered in correct gray plaid cloth upholstery. The seats are in fantastic condition, with only the door panels showing some age, but again, nothing that couldn't be wiped out with a good clean-up. This car pre-dates airbags, so it has a tilt column and the relatively upright greenhouse makes the Mustang very user-friendly in traffic where it's the ultimate point-and-shoot machine. The original gauges are big and easy to read and there's a Hurst shifter with a leather shift knob for the 5-speed. The original radio is long gone, replaced by a Pioneer AM/FM/CD head unit with a subwoofer and amplifier in the hatch, and it's right below the controls for the ventilation system. Other options include power windows and locks, cruise control, rear defroster, and power mirrors, making this a fairly loaded LX. With rear seats that fold down, cargo capacity is impressive and it still includes its original cargo cover. The venerable 5.0-liter V8 under the hood has been nicely upgraded without going too far. It's internally stock, which makes it bulletproof, and the only upgrades are bolt-ons, so it maintains the 5.0's wonderfully punchy demeanor. Obvious changes include a K&N filter, 1.7 roller rockers, Ford Motorsports shorty headers, underdrive pulley, and an upgraded starter and alternator. The 5-speed manual shifts beautifully thanks to a Ford Motorsports clutch and steel clutch quadrant for improved precision. It powers the original 8.8-inch rear end and barking through an off-road H-pipe and Flowmaster mufflers, it sounds like a Mustang should sound. Original 15-inch "phone dial" wheels are in excellent condition and carry correct 225/60/15 performance radials all around. Still fast and still fun after all these years, this is the kind of 5.0 Mustang that you've always wanted to own. Complete with a huge cache of manuals, books, paperwork, and spare parts, this is a Mustang that's still ready to have fun. Call today!