For decades, the value of First Generation Mustangs have increased at an alarming rate for those wishing to park one in their garage. Many saw the Fox-Body variants as an affordable alternative, but their prices are following those earlier models into the stratosphere. That means that now could be the time to grab one of these beauties before they soar out of reach. This 1990 GT Convertible is a prime example. It is as original and unmolested as you could hope to find, and it has a genuine 26,000 miles showing on its odometer. The seller listed this stunning survivor here on eBay in Eau Claire, Michigan. Although the bidding is at $18,100, that figure is shy of the reserve. For those wishing to bypass the auction process, the seller offers a BIN option of $25,899.

Ford offered buyers twelve paint shades in the 1990 Mustang palette, with this car’s original owner selecting a combination of Dark and Light Titanium. As color combinations go, this one is a winner, endowing this Convertible with a touch of class. The paint shines beautifully, with any flaws seemingly limited to the lower body extremities. There are some chips and marks around the front spoiler, and the slight color mismatch suggests that area may have received a prior repaint. Otherwise, there is little to criticize. The color across the rest of the car is consistent, the panels are straight, and there’s no evidence of rust. The Black power top fits tightly, and the distinctive GT aero additions look good. The glass is flawless, and the original alloy wheels show no signs of stains or physical damage.

Just because a manufacturer markets a car as a performance model, there’s no reason why a buyer should miss out on life’s luxuries. That is certainly the case with this GT because it comes fully loaded. The car features air conditioning, power windows, power locks, power seats, power mirrors, cruise control, and a premium AM/FM radio and cassette player. The seats wear supple leather upholstery. There is some minor wear on the deep outer bolster on the driver’s seat, but a specialist should be able to address this to return it to as-new condition without costing the new owner a fortune. The remaining upholstered surfaces are excellent, and I doubt anyone has used the back seat. The carpet shows no wear, the dash is spotless, and there are no aftermarket additions.

As the 1980s progressed, it was evident that American manufacturers had devised strategies to extract increased engine performance without compromising emission standards. This Mustang demonstrates it, with its fuel-injected 5.0-liter “HO” V8 producing 225hp. The power feeds to the road via a five-speed manual transmission. Although it was not the firebreathing beast that was the hallmark of some of its predecessors, a 15.3-second ¼-mile ET showed that Ford was back in the performance gain with its sweet V8. There was more to come in subsequent years, but that figure looked good after the misery of The Malaise Era. This Mustang has a genuine 26,000 miles on the clock and is in excellent mechanical health. It has been appropriately maintained throughout its life and recently received a new fuel pump and tires. It runs and drives perfectly, with the seller including the original Owner’s Manual, Window Sticker, and other documentation.

Although it isn’t perfect, this 1990 Mustang GT Convertible would not cause its new owner shame on the street or at a Cars & Coffee. The color combination is one of the nicest offered, and its luxury appointments should make the ownership experience feel special. It is possible to find cheaper examples in the current market, but most won’t match this car’s combination of originality and condition. Values have climbed by more than 20% in the past year, and that trend shows no evidence of slowing. Therefore, now could be the right time to splash the available cash if you crave a classic that combines a satisfying driving experience with an appreciating asset. So, are you tempted?