Why This Car Is Special

The Fox Body Mustang is one of the most significant chapters in the Mustang's history, and 1987 was a particularly important year within that story. Ford made a meaningful upgrade to the 5.0 HO V8 that year, switching from a carburetor to sequential multi-port fuel injection. That change — moving to what Ford called the Speed Density EFI system — improved throttle response, cold starts, and overall drivability while maintaining the raw character the 5.0 was known for. The result was a 225-horsepower, 300 lb-ft V8 that felt more refined than its predecessors without losing anything in the way of personality.

What makes this particular 1987 Ford Mustang more desirable than the coupe or hatchback variants is the body style itself. Ford produced significantly fewer convertibles than notchbacks or fastbacks in the Fox Body generation, and the open-top car commands a premium among collectors today precisely because of that lower production volume. Add to that the color combination — Scarlet Red exterior paired with a full red leather interior and a white convertible top — and you have an unusually cohesive, visually striking presentation that was clearly specified with intention from the factory option sheet.

The VIN on this car decodes to confirm it was built at Ford's Dearborn, Michigan assembly plant, the same facility that built the original 1964 and a half Mustang. The body style code confirms the convertible body, and the engine code confirms the 5.0 HO with sequential fuel injection. This is a legitimate, numbers-correct Fox Body drop-top, not a coupe that was converted after the fact.

Fox Body Mustangs have crossed firmly into collector territory over the past decade. Clean, unmodified examples with the 5.0 and manual transmission are increasingly difficult to find at any condition level. A red-on-red convertible with the right drivetrain combination sits at the top of that desirability ladder.

Features List

• 5.0L HO V8 Engine with Sequential Multi-Port Fuel Injection
• 5-Speed Manual Transmission
• Fox Body Convertible Body Style
• White Convertible Top
• Scarlet Red Exterior
• Red Leather Interior
• Front Bucket Seats with Rear Seat
• Center Console
• Tachometer
• Air Conditioning
• Power Steering
• Power Brakes with Front Disc Brakes
• Rear Sway Bar
• Power Windows
• Power Door Locks
• Cruise Control
• Dual Exhaust
• Decklid Luggage Rack
• Upgraded Bluetooth Stereo with USB and AUX Inputs
• Mustang Logo Floor Mats
• Original Style Wheels

Mechanical

The heart of this 1987 Ford Mustang is the 5.0 HO V8, displacing 302 cubic inches and rated at 225 horsepower and 300 lb-ft of torque in factory form for the 1987 model year. The switch to sequential multi-port fuel injection that year was a significant engineering step. Unlike throttle body injection, which essentially replaces a carburetor with a single injector, sequential port injection delivers fuel directly at each intake port individually, timed to match each cylinder's intake stroke. The practical effect is better fuel atomization, more consistent mixture delivery across all eight cylinders, and noticeably improved cold-weather starting compared to any carbureted 5.0.

Mated to that engine is a Borg-Warner T-5 five-speed manual transmission. The T-5 was the standard manual gearbox in the Fox Body Mustang throughout much of the 1980s, and it paired well with the 5.0's broad torque curve. Purists who seek out these cars almost always prefer the manual over the automatic, both for the driving engagement it provides and because it tends to hold value better in the collector market.

Stopping hardware includes front disc brakes with power assist, which was standard equipment on the 5.0 models. The rear sway bar is present, which helps manage body roll through corners and was part of Ford's handling package for the performance-oriented models. Dual exhaust exits at the rear, giving the 5.0 the sound profile that Fox Body owners remember distinctly. Underbody photos show the structure and exhaust routing clearly, with the rear axle and suspension components looking intact and unmodified.

Interior

The interior of this 1987 Ford Mustang convertible is finished entirely in red — red leather bucket seats, red door panels, red carpet, and red dash accents. The leather upholstery covers the front buckets and the rear seat, and the condition visible in the photos shows the leather holding its shape and color well, without the cracking or fading that commonly affects these interiors after decades of sun exposure. The rear seat is a notable feature on the convertible body style, as it provides real, usable seating rather than just a cargo shelf, making this a genuine four-passenger car.

The center console runs between the front buckets and houses the 5-speed shifter, which is exactly where it belongs. The dashboard retains the original Fox Body layout, with a tachometer and speedometer positioned in the driver's direct line of sight. The gauge cluster is correct and unmodified. Cruise control switches are mounted on the steering column, and the power window and door lock controls are integrated into the door panels.

The stereo has been updated to a Dual XDM17BT Bluetooth media player with USB and AUX inputs, which fits the factory single-DIN radio opening cleanly. It is a practical update that keeps the dash looking period-correct at a glance while adding modern connectivity. The Mustang logo floor mats on the driver and passenger side are embroidered with the running horse and tri-bar design, consistent with period Mustang accessories.

Exterior

The Scarlet Red paint on this 1987 Ford Mustang presents well in photographs and in person. The Fox Body's clean, angular sheetmetal from the 1987 refresh — which updated the front fascia and eliminated the quad headlights of the earlier Fox cars — ages gracefully, and the deep red finish suits the body lines naturally. The rear valance carries the embossed Mustang lettering across the full width, a styling cue specific to this generation that Fox Body collectors recognize immediately.

The white convertible top is the correct contrasting color choice for a red Fox Body drop-top. The top mechanism on the 1987 Ford Mustang convertible was a manual folding unit, requiring the occupants to unlatch and lower it by hand, which is straightforward once you have done it a few times. The decklid luggage rack is a factory-style accessory that was popular on the Fox Body convertibles and adds a finished look to the rear deck while providing a practical tie-down surface for light cargo.

The wheels are original-style five-spoke aluminum units correct to the LX 5.0 specification, retaining the period-correct appearance. The underside photos confirm a clean Florida car — the floor pans, frame rails, and suspension pickup points show no significant rust or structural concern, which is what you would hope to see on a car that has spent its life in the South rather than the rust belt. The rear suspension, solid axle, and exhaust components are all visible and present no red flags.

Conclusion

The 1987 Ford Mustang LX 5.0 Convertible is a car that the collector market has been warming to steadily and for good reason. It combines the right engine, the right transmission, and the rarest body style the Fox platform offered. This particular example brings a coherent color combination — Scarlet Red over red leather with a white top — that makes it immediately identifiable and appealing to anyone who understands what a well-optioned Fox Body looks like. The 5.0 HO with sequential fuel injection is fully intact, the interior is clean and unmodified where it counts, and the Florida undercarriage shows the kind of condition that is simply not available on cars from northern states.

If you have been looking for a Fox Body 5.0 convertible that presents honestly and drives correctly, this 1987 Ford Mustang deserves a serious look. We invite you to contact Skyway Classics in Sarasota, Florida at 941-254-6608 to schedule a walk-around or discuss this car in detail.

Disclaimer

Information found on the website is presented as given to us by the owner of the car, whether on consignment or from the owner we bought it from. Some Photos, materials for videos, descriptions and other information are provided by the consignor/seller and is deemed reliable, but Skyway Classics does not warranty or guarantee this information. Skyway Classics is not responsible for information that may incorrect or a publishing error. The decision to purchase should be based solely on the buyers personal inspection of the vehicle or by a professional inspection service prior to offer or purchase being made.