1987 Ford Mustang GT - Mustang 1987 -'90

In the last three months, we brought you the Fox Mustang's first years: 1979-'86. In those years, the Mustang went through dramatic changes that made it a world-beater in the ponycar market. From 1982-'86, the Mustang went through significant engineering and styling changes that made it clearly better each and every year. For 1982, Ford brought back the Mustang GT with a High Output V-8; a great start. The following year, a four-barrel carburetor and optional five-speed. For 1984, the world-class Mustang SVO. In 1985, bitchin' chassis and engine refinements that made the car a joy to drive. The following year, 1986-electronic fuel injection and a tougher 8.8-inch rear axle.

Even in the Mustang's leanest, most disappointing years, it was still a car to have fun with in work or play because it never lost its spirit. It was a sporty ponycar regardless of what it had underhood. When we road-tested the '87 Mustang GT for the first time in the summer of 1986, we were convinced it was the best Mustang ever made. We were right. It roared to life with true dual exhausts, and it held the road valiantly. Ford updated the Dearborn Pony with an all-new dashboard and instrument panel, fresh bucket seats, improved body assembly technique, better corrosion protection, and a revised 5.0L High Output V-8. The musclebound filly had arrived.

What made the 1987 different was a new fascia, composite headlamps and redesigned taillamps, larger quarter-windows with "MUSTANG" graphics, and more. GT models were radically changed with a special bottom-breathing fascia with driving lamps, ground effects, simulated side scoops, 15-inch turbine wheels and wide tires, fluted taillamps, true dual exhaust system, power quick-ratio steering, Traction-Lok differential, front disc/rear drum brakes, AM/FM stereo radio, intermittent wipers, convenience group, dual remote mirrors, adjustable reclining front bucket seats, tilt steering wheel, full instrumentation with tachometer, and more. In short, the '87 Mustang GT was the best Mustang ever when it was introduced.

Initial driving impressions of the '87 Mustang GT were stellar. On a road course, the redesigned Mustang held the road nicely. It had a solid feel as never before in a Mustang. You knew you could cut a sharp apex at speed and live to see the next straightaway. On the straightaway, the thing was fast. The 225-horse 5.0L SEFI small-block sounded different and pulled like a mad dog. That more traditional induction sound generated by a four-barrel carburetor was gone. In its place, the groan of a single throttle-body and a seat-of-the-pants kick not seen before.

At the time, die-hard enthusiasts said it was the end of a tunable Mustang. Truth was, it was only the beginning of one of the greatest eras in automotive history. Tech heads would tune the peculiarities of electronic fuel injection, making a new generation of fuel-injected Mustangs more tunable than ever before. The '87-'93 Mustang 5.0L would ultimately become known as the '55-'57 Chevrolet of the '90s.

A lot of groovy carryovers were retained from 1985-'86, like Quadra-Shock, coil spring, and four-link rear suspension. True dual exhausts, introduced for 1986, continued for 1987. Despite all these innovations, the Mustang continued to have a braking system that was sorely lacking. It was a front disc/rear drum brake ride begging for more aggressive binders from the factory.

The standard Mustang LX was available in sedan, hatchback, or convertible. Standard power was the 2.3L OHC four with EFI. Gone was the 3.8L Essex V-6 available since 1982 as a Mustang option. The base Mustang LX was good transportation, a sporty car without the muscle. The 5.0L SEFI High Output was an LX option for those who wanted less weight in an all-business package. Drag racers loved the LX sedan for its streamline approach and weight loss program with a 5.0L High Output underhood. The 10-hole aluminum wheels, carried over from the '85-'86 GT, were a nice LX option.