With Fox-Body Mustangs continuing to gain traction in the classic market, finding a good one with a healthy V8 under the hood at an affordable price can be akin to striking gold. That could be what is on offer with this 1989 Mustang LX. The seller is this car’s second owner, and he has recently treated its engine to a rebuild with a few tasty upgrades. After three years in his care, he has decided that the time is right for it to find a new home. Located in Piedmont, South Carolina, you will find the Mustang listed for sale here on eBay. Spirited bidding has pushed the price beyond the reserve to $6,199.

It is hard to be critical of this Oxford White Mustang’s overall presentation. The original owner was an elderly lady in Florida who drove it regularly until she passed away. Her daughter inherited the car, and it appears that she sold it to its current owner pretty quickly. The paint holds a nice shine, with no significant issues or problems. There are no dents or marks worth mentioning, while the LX remains rust-free. The plastic trim shows no signs of deterioration or color inconsistency that can plague painted plastic from this era. The glass looks flawless, the alloy wheels are clean and free from damage, and the overall first impression seems nothing but positive.

Upholstered in a combination of cloth and vinyl, this Mustang’s interior carries the hallmarks of a vehicle that has been treated with care and respect. One of the more wear-prone aspects of these classics is the outer edges of the front seats. However, these look excellent. The remaining upholstery is in a similar state, and there’s no evidence of UV damage or deterioration on the plastic components. The seller has installed a Hurst shifter, which is probably a welcome upgrade from the factory item. Otherwise, it appears untouched. It isn’t loaded with luxury appointments, although it features cruise control, electric mirrors, and a factory AM/FM radio/cassette player.

It is always fascinating to compare the relative performance figures of classic cars across various generations. That is the case if we compare our feature car with a similarly equipped example from thirty years earlier. This Mustang features a 5.0-liter V8 bolted to a five-speed manual transmission. With 225hp at its disposal, it should romp through the ¼ mile in 14.9 seconds. If you had wandered out in 1969 and purchased a Mustang equipped with a 302/4-speed drivetrain, the same journey would have taken 15.9 seconds. This was despite the newer car tipping the scales some 50lbs heavier than its predecessor. Power figures were neck-and-neck between the pair, but the Fox-Body benefited from better gearing and could apply its power to the road more effectively. Therefore, cars like this 1989 LX signaled that American manufacturers were beginning to recapture performance from their glory days. This Mustang is numbers-matching, and the owner states that it has 42,000 genuine miles on the clock. The motor is far from factory specifications, accumulating a mere 200 miles since the owner treated it to a rebuild. As well as an upgraded camshaft, the engine is filled with forged components that promise plenty of additional ponies. He says that the car runs and drives extremely well, suggesting that the buyer won’t be delving into their wallet for anything beyond the purchase price.

There’s a lot to like about this 1989 Mustang LX, from its overall presentation to its mechanical specifications. The engine upgrades hold the promise of an entertaining driving experience. While these changes place a question mark over its originality, the owner has performed them in a fashion that allows the car to remain numbers-matching. While First Generation Mustangs continue to command some eye-watering prices, some versions of the Fox-Body remain pretty affordable. With its odometer reading and overall condition, this car could potentially top $20,000. However, some purists may be put off by the engine upgrades, which could see the vehicle fall short of that figure. With the reserve already surpassed, it might be worth watching this listing. If a Fox-Body is on your radar, this could turn out to be a bit of a bargain. I could be wrong, but it will cost nothing to watch. You never know, but you could strike gold with this classic.