1987 Ford Mustang Facts

Overview

• Ford built 169,772 Mustangs for 1987 by MustangSpecs' internally reconciling body/series breakdown; a separate Wikipedia table citing Standard Catalog of American Cars, 1976-1999 instead reports 159,145, a 10,627-unit disagreement that remains unresolved pending a primary Ford ledger.
• The Mustang received a major exterior and interior facelift for 1987, including a smoother aero front end.
• After the SVO was discontinued, the regular lineup was pared down to LX and GT.

Production Breakout

Reported production totals disagree. MustangSpecs' detailed body/series rows sum to 169,772, while the Wikipedia third-generation production table reports 159,145 and cites Standard Catalog of American Cars, 1976-1999. The internally reconciling MustangSpecs table leads here; both remain reported secondary evidence pending an underlying Ford record.

Engines & Power

Specifications

• MustangSpecs reports 179.1-inch overall body length (Notchback/Hatchback), 69.1-inch width, 52.1-inch height, and a 100.1-inch wheelbase (Notchback/Hatchback) -- identical to the corroborated 1986 figures.
• Reported curb weights: Hatchback 2,791 lb; Notchback 2,722 lb; Convertible 3,044 lb -- identical to the corroborated 1986 figures.

Options & Packages

Counts distinguish verified production records, attributed reports, disputed figures, announced limits, and figures that do not survive in available records.

Buyer Identification

• For 1981-up Fox cars, decode the 17-character VIN, door certification label, buck tag, axle tag, transmission tag, and build sheet/window sticker. The VIN and body code identify the shell, but equipment such as LX 5.0, GT, SVO, SSP, Saleen, Feature Car, or Cobra needs package documentation.
• Because Fox Mustangs are frequently modified, confirm engine code, factory paint and trim, emissions label, wheel/brake/suspension equipment, and serialized records for Saleen/SVO/SVT/SSP cars before paying collector money.

Special & Tuner Models

Related Stories

Additional Notes

• Fox-body paint and trim codes are on the door label, while special identity often depends on package paint: Pace Car pewter/black/orange, 1984 G.T.350 Oxford White/Canyon Red, 1990 Emerald Green 7-Up convertibles, 1992 Vibrant Red Feature cars, 1993 Chrome Yellow or Vibrant White Feature cars, SSP agency paint, Saleen serialization, and SVO/Cobra details should be checked against tags and paperwork.
• The late Fox 5.0 formula centered on the T-5 five-speed manual or AOD four-speed automatic behind the 5.0 H.O.
• The 1987 facelift created the visual template most people picture when they hear late Fox-body Mustang.
• The 1987 redesign removed the SVO and V6 from the lineup, leaving only the 2.3L four-cylinder and 5.0L V8.
• The Fox-to-SN95 survival story is inseparable from Ford's abandoned front-drive Mustang replacement plan.
• The 1987 aero refresh replaced the four-eyed Fox face with smoother headlamps and updated bodywork that defined Mustang through 1993.
• The 5.0 H.O. rating climbed to 225 hp, giving the refreshed GT and LX 5.0 the performance reputation that made late Fox cars famous.
• The LX 5.0 became a sleeper favorite because it paired the GT powertrain with a cleaner, lighter-looking body.
• GT models gained body-color aero lower cladding, round fog lamps, louvered taillamps, and turbine-style 15-inch wheels, while LX models used cleaner bodywork and clear-lens taillamps.