Sometimes, when it comes to a performance car, less is more. These days, we’ve become caught up in driver-assist features, CarPlay integration, and creature comforts that can take away from the raw sensation of driving.
That is perhaps one of the reasons why I cling to classic cars instead of demanding the latest in automotive tech. I like to drive for the sake of driving, not just to get from A to B.
And today, I found a car I’d be thrilled to put a few miles on:
Featured on AutoHunter is this 35k-Mile 1985 Ford Mustang GT being sold by a dealer in Apopka, Florida, and the auction will end on Tuesday.
When you take the driver seat of this Mustang, you’ll find no automatic transmission, no air conditioning, and no radio. But on the flipside, the five-speed manual connects you directly to the car, there is lots of available air flow (via removable T-tops), and the audio soundtrack is top-tier (courtesy of a good old-fashioned, naturally-aspirated 5.0 V8 with Flowmaster mufflers).
Sign me up for all of that. An ad for the 1985 Mustang GT said, “Mustang GT’s got what it takes to control the balance of power. Quick-ratio rack and pinion steering for handling precision. Gas-filled shocks and struts on a Quadra-Shock performance suspension. Variable rate springs. Stiffer bushings and anti-sway bars for added stability in the straights, confidence in the curves.”
The “Fox body” era was the Mustang’s third generation. It started in 1979 and ran through 1993 with plenty of changes along the way. Given the runaway success of prior Mustang variants, the Fox body had big shoes to fill. And Ford tried hard to keep the joy of driving accessible to those who demanded it, particularly with the GT model when it came out in 1982.
The CARFAX report for this pony car paints a unique picture – the car was first registered in Ontario, Canada on April 23, 1985 and it remained in the same province through September 2024. Sometime after that, the car made its way to Michigan and now resides with the dealer in Florida. Sounds like the migratory pattern of a typical Canadian snowbird, doesn’t it?
Closer scrutiny of the report illustrates the slow rate at which miles have been added: The most recent odometer reading was 33,558 miles in 2014, so the was been driven only about 2,000 miles over the last decade. In other words, the car is begging to be driven, and its lucky new owner will hopefully make good use of its 210 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque.
“When it comes to performance, Mustang GT does it right. And left,” a magazine ad said. So, forget about the air conditioning and the radio. This car has all the ingredients that really matter.
The auction for this 35k-Mile 1985 Ford Mustang GT will end Tuesday, November 12, 2024 at 11:10 a.m. (MST)
Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery
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