Purchasing 1st Fox, need advice

[Blown02svt]

I’m in the process of finding my first Foxbody and have located one locally that I’m interested in. However, I want to make sure that it’s in good shape and there aren’t any problems lurking beneath the surface…

So, just curious as to what are the common issues or components to thoroughly inspect to ensure I’m not getting myself into a problem vehicle?

The car that I’m looking at is a 1991 GT and it appears (on the surface) to be extremely clean and in good shape. However, there are a couple of things that I don’t like or I’m curious as to why certain mods were done.

First of all, it doesn’t have A/C. It looks like all of the under hood components were removed but the evaporator connections are still through the firewall. How hard is it to get A/C back in the car?

Secondly, the fuel injection has been removed and converted over to a carbureted system. This one confuses me a little as I would think that the fuel injection system would be more troublefree…

And finally, it seems like the pricing on these are all over the board… As stated, this car appears to be very clean, minor mods, good paint, good interior, new cobra wheels/tires. What is a ballpark value?

Any way, I’m going to take a better look at it Sunday and would appreciate any additional feedback and/or advice you all can provide.

Thanks in advance!!

 

[limp]

I wouldn't consider gutting the AC and replacing the fuel injection with a Carb as " minor mods".....

 

[Mustang5L5]

IMHO value would take a hit with the AC deleted and an EFI car converted to carb. Some won't care however, it all depends though.

Figure $1K give or take to get all the new AC components, brackets, EVAP, etc and reinstall the system, and maybe $1-2K to restore the EFI depending on components of choice.

Also, key areas to look at the strut towers and torque boxes in the rear. If there is any rust, go find another car.

 

[gkomo]

Check door to body alignment too. Could just be saggy door pins, or could indicate many hard launches twisting the body. Check the exterior of the A-Pillars near the top for cracking as another indication of many hard launches.

Some photos would help determine a ballpark price.

 

[Noobz347]

First of all, it doesn’t have A/C. It looks like all of the under hood components were removed but the evaporator connections are still through the firewall. How hard is it to get A/C back in the car?

Secondly, the fuel injection has been removed and converted over to a carbureted system. This one confuses me a little as I would think that the fuel injection system would be more troublefree…

And finally, it seems like the pricing on these are all over the board… As stated, this car appears to be very clean, minor mods, good paint, good interior, new cobra wheels/tires. What is a ballpark value?

You didn't say what they were asking for it but if they're like everybody else, it's top dollar.

This things would be a hard pass for me. The cobbled together junk makes me think there is [other] cobbled together junk.

You really cannot ask about price on a forum without detailed images of thing, at the very [least]. Prices are all over the place because the condition of these cars is all over the place. Lord only knows what the last shade-tree, knuckle dragging, mechanic did to it.

Oh... And if you're looking for a "trouble free" experience then you need to move on from 20+ year old muscle cars. Try a newer Honda.

 

[Blown02svt]

I appreciate everyone’s input thus far, and you’re all right, I should have included some pictures…so here you go…

 

[gkomo]

Hmm, that's actually a lot better than what i was expecting. I personally don't like the carb swap or no A/C, but based on the car i doubt the work was jimmy rigged together.

 

[85GT4V]

I’m with @gkomo , looks pretty good in the pics! A couple choices I wouldn’t have made (i.e. hood pins) but, it’s a good looking car that, if priced right, would be a great place to start from.

 

[Mustang5L5]

Ok. Much better than what I was expecting. Attention to detail suggests it was done correctly, vs a hack job.


Ac work will still be about $1k but as for the carb vs EFI that’s a decision you need to make. To me it’s a ding…but that setup might be an exception.

What do they want? $20k?

 

[Noobz347]

If it starts good and runs good, I'd leave it unless you have a reason to swap it back.

That car looks like it belonged to the type of dude that would convert because he didn't like the look of the FI "mess".

 

[Blown02svt]

Thanks for the feedback across the board, I appreciate it!

So the ultimate question…what do you all think it’s worth, assuming no rust and no evidence of hard launches?

 

[gkomo]

Just looking at the photos it’s got

- 130amp alternator
- new power steering pump (black case)
- some different pulley down by the crank
- distributor and spark box
- different seats
- something covering the ashtray door
- could have a cobra booster, looks bigger than OEM?
- new master cylinder?
- hard to tell but quarter glass and weatherstripping look pretty good
- some kind of lowering suspension

Cons (IMO)
- carb
- no A/C or smog stuff (if you care)
- those gauges on the dash, he may have drilled holes in the dash

Price? I dunno… with nice fox prices these days if everything was ‘normal’ I’d say $15-20k? Total guess. Subtract what you think the negatives are worth.

 

[Noobz347]

I would put it at $15k assuming that everything on that car is as good as it looks in the images.

I mean... great looking bushings and the whole nine yards.

 

[gkomo]

How many miles are on it?

 

[Blown02svt]

You didn't say what they were asking for it but if they're like everybody else, it's top dollar.

This things would be a hard pass for me. The cobbled together junk makes me think there is [other] cobbled together junk.

You really cannot ask about price on a forum without detailed images of thing, at the very [least]. Prices are all over the place because the condition of these cars is all over the place. Lord only knows what the last shade-tree, knuckle dragging, mechanic did to it.

Oh... And if you're looking for a "trouble free" experience then you need to move on from 20+ year old muscle cars. Try a newer Honda.

Noted…not trying to find something technically “trouble free” but certainly something that doesn’t cost me $1k every time I turn around…

 

[Blown02svt]

How many miles are on it?

Odometer states 83k, but I’m not certain it’s legit…neither is the current owner. However, we both agree that it very well could be correct.

 

[Blown02svt]

I’m with @gkomo , looks pretty good in the pics! A couple choices I wouldn’t have made (i.e. hood pins) but, it’s a good looking car that, if priced right, would be a great place to start from.

Agreed! Not a fan of the hood pins or the dash gauge pod…but it is what it is…

 

[Blown02svt]

Ok. Much better than what I was expecting. Attention to detail suggests it was done correctly, vs a hack job.


Ac work will still be about $1k but as for the carb vs EFI that’s a decision you need to make. To me it’s a ding…but that setup might be an exception.

What do they want? $20k?

$17k

 

[Blown02svt]

Just looking at the photos it’s got

- 130amp alternator
- new power steering pump (black case)
- some different pulley down by the crank
- distributor and spark box
- different seats
- something covering the ashtray door
- could have a cobra booster, looks bigger than OEM?
- new master cylinder?
- hard to tell but quarter glass and weatherstripping look pretty good
- some kind of lowering suspension

Cons (IMO)
- carb
- no A/C or smog stuff (if you care)
- those gauges on the dash, he may have drilled holes in the dash

Price? I dunno… with nice fox prices these days if everything was ‘normal’ I’d say $15-20k? Total guess. Subtract what you think the negatives are worth.

Thanks for the detailed response!! Current price is $17k.

 

[91AOD5.0LX]

Not what I expected either…. Much better…… I like it!
Doesnt look like a hack job at all, under the hood, the interior, and the body. Looks very well done all around and in my opinion 17k is a reasonable starting point for negotiation. See how she runs and drives, check the CARFAX, think about what you really want regarding the carb and AC situation [don't settle] then take it from there.