1988 Ford Mustang

1988 Ford Mustang

1988 Ford Mustang

With Mercury's Capri out of production after the 1986 model year, Ford simplified Mustang production in 1987 by eliminating the V6 engine option, killing the high-priced SVO, and paring down the trim levels to just LX and GT — the coupe in LX only with the hatchback and convertible available in both trims. The front end and taillights were redesigned once again with the GT getting its own grilleless face, flush single headlamps, specific taillights, rear spoiler, urethane side skirts and turbine wheels. But many found the low-key skirtless LX to be the real performance value, as it was offered with all the GT's performance options, but without the look-at-me exterior pieces. Both the LX and GT also got a new interior including an improved dashboard that grouped the instrumentation in a pod in front of the driver.

Carburetors were finally a thing of the past for Mustangs as even the 2.3-liter, SOHC four-cylinder engine now sported fuel injection and made 90 horsepower. The 5.0-liter HO was also revised and now made a robust 225 horsepower regardless of transmission. At this point in its development, the "5.0 Mustang" had reached its full flower and would remain mechanically unchanged through 1993. In fact, the 1988 and 1989 Mustangs were virtually unchanged from 1987.

PRODUCTION NUMBERS
Hardtops - 53,221
Hatchbacks - 125,930
Convertibles - 32,074
TOTAL - 211,225

VIN NUMBERS - 1FABP42M6DF000001
1FA - Ford Motor Company
B - Active Belts
P - Passenger car
42 - Body Code (40=LX, 41=Hatchback LX, 42=Hatchback GT, 44=Conv. LX, 45=Conv. GT)
M - Engine Code
6 - Variable digits
J - 1988 ("J" stands for 1988)
F - Assembly Plant (F=Dearborn)
000001 - Consecutive unit number

BASE PRICES
Hardtop LX - $8,835
Hatchback LX - $9,341
Hatchback GT - $12,745
Convertible LX - $13,702
Convertible GT - $16,610

ENGINES/ENGINE CODES
A - 2.3L 1V 4-cyl. with 88hp
M - 5.0L V-8 with 225hp

FACTORY OPTIONS
- Rear Window Defroster
- Vinyl Seats
- Speed Control
- AM/FM Radio (optional cassette tape)
- Premium Sound System
- Power Side Windows
- Electric Remote Mirrors

(Not all Options are included)

INTERIOR COLORS/INTERIOR TRIM CODE
Regatta Blue - B
Scarlet - D
Smoke - G
White/Scarlet - N (Conv. Only)
White/Blue - Q (Conv. Only)
White/Smoke - U (Conv. Only)
Sand Beige - Y

EXTERIOR COLORS/COLOR CODE
Black - 1C
Dark Grey Metallic - 1D
Cabernet Red - 2H
Bright Red - 2I
Medium Metallic Shadow Blue - 3R
Almond - 6V
Bright Regatta Blue Metallic - 7H
Deep Shadow Blue Metallic - 7N
Oxford White - 9L
Tropical Yellow - 66