Fox Mustang Magazine Issue 7 | Page 44

KEEPER CONVERT’ Ron D’Agostino’s low-mile ’85 GT story and photography by Tom Shaw T o true Mustang enthusiasts, it looked like a dark cloud was approaching as the ’85 model year turned the corner and headed down the home stretch. It was widely known that the ’85 would be Mustang’s last carbureted V-8. Beginning with the ’86s, all 5.0 GTs and LXs would have fuel injection, for better or worse. Many feared that performance henceforth would be held captive behind a veil of impenetrable technology. Fortunately, that low ceiling of high performance never arrived, but the concern — or was it that year’s 35hp bump for the 5.0 H.O. that year? — caused a bump in sales of around 15,000 units. Either way, 1985 was a good year for Mustang. Styling was strong; its reputation was growing; and horsepower was up sharply. With the future uncertain and a good thing at hand, many interested lookers decided to go ahead and make 1985 the year to do the deal. 44 FOXMustangMagazine.com