Third generation · Fox-body · 1979–1993
1987Ford Mustang
The long-running Fox-body, built on Ford’s Fox platform from 1979 to 1993.
Photo: “1987 Ford Mustang 2-Door Hatchback in Dark Grey Metallic, Front Right (St. Ignace 2023).jpg” by Elise240SX / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.
Quick facts
- Engines
- 2offered2.3 I4 (fuel-injected) → 302 "5.0 HO" V8 (SEFI; E7TE heads)
- Top output
- 225hp302 "5.0 HO" V8 (SEFI; E7TE heads)
- Production
- 159,145units
- Base price
- $8,271LX coupe
- Today
- ≈$22,800inflation-adjusted MSRP, not market value
Body stylesCoupe (notchback, LX) · Hatchback (3-door) · Convertible
Start here
What do you need to know?
This page covers the whole 1987 Ford Mustang model year. Choose your task first; exact trims and engines are separated where the factory offered different versions.
Documented lineup
Find your exact 1987 Mustang
Start with a family, body style, or engine. Every card opens the facts and maintenance information for that factory version.
Exact factory pairings documentedHow this lineup was verified
These source-backed records identify published body, engine, and transmission combinations. Exact pairings do not by themselves assert that every factory option or special edition is represented.
LX Two-door sedan 5MT
- Body
- Two-door sedan
- Engine
- 2.3L EFI inline-four
- Gearbox
- 5-speed manual overdrive
- Built
- Regular production
LX Two-door sedan 4AT
- Body
- Two-door sedan
- Engine
- 2.3L EFI inline-four
- Gearbox
- 4-speed automatic overdrive
- Built
- Regular production
LX Three-door hatchback 5MT
- Body
- Three-door hatchback
- Engine
- 2.3L EFI inline-four
- Gearbox
- 5-speed manual overdrive
- Built
- Regular production
LX Three-door hatchback 4AT
- Body
- Three-door hatchback
- Engine
- 2.3L EFI inline-four
- Gearbox
- 4-speed automatic overdrive
- Built
- Regular production
LX Convertible 5MT
- Body
- Convertible
- Engine
- 2.3L EFI inline-four
- Gearbox
- 5-speed manual overdrive
- Built
- Regular production
LX Convertible 4AT
- Body
- Convertible
- Engine
- 2.3L EFI inline-four
- Gearbox
- 4-speed automatic overdrive
- Built
- Regular production
LX 5.0L Two-door sedan 5MT
- Body
- Two-door sedan
- Engine
- 5.0L High-Output EFI V8
- Gearbox
- 5-speed manual overdrive
- Built
- Regular production
LX 5.0L Two-door sedan 4AT
- Body
- Two-door sedan
- Engine
- 5.0L High-Output EFI V8
- Gearbox
- 4-speed automatic overdrive
- Built
- Regular production
LX 5.0L Three-door hatchback 5MT
- Body
- Three-door hatchback
- Engine
- 5.0L High-Output EFI V8
- Gearbox
- 5-speed manual overdrive
- Built
- Regular production
LX 5.0L Three-door hatchback 4AT
- Body
- Three-door hatchback
- Engine
- 5.0L High-Output EFI V8
- Gearbox
- 4-speed automatic overdrive
- Built
- Regular production
LX 5.0L Convertible 5MT
- Body
- Convertible
- Engine
- 5.0L High-Output EFI V8
- Gearbox
- 5-speed manual overdrive
- Built
- Regular production
LX 5.0L Convertible 4AT
- Body
- Convertible
- Engine
- 5.0L High-Output EFI V8
- Gearbox
- 4-speed automatic overdrive
- Built
- Regular production
GT Three-door hatchback 5MT
- Body
- Three-door hatchback
- Engine
- 5.0L High-Output EFI V8
- Gearbox
- 5-speed manual overdrive
- Built
- Regular production
GT Three-door hatchback 4AT
- Body
- Three-door hatchback
- Engine
- 5.0L High-Output EFI V8
- Gearbox
- 4-speed automatic overdrive
- Built
- Regular production
GT Convertible 5MT
- Body
- Convertible
- Engine
- 5.0L High-Output EFI V8
- Gearbox
- 5-speed manual overdrive
- Built
- Regular production
GT Convertible 4AT
- Body
- Convertible
- Engine
- 5.0L High-Output EFI V8
- Gearbox
- 4-speed automatic overdrive
- Built
- Regular production
No factory configuration matches those filters.
The 1987 model year
Overview
The definitive late-Fox makeover. A flush 'aero' facelift smoothed the entire body — composite headlamps, a cleaner nose, restyled tail, and an all-new interior with a fresh dash. The 5.0 HO got better-breathing E7TE heads and jumped to 225 hp, the figure it would carry to 1992. The 5.0 LX (the lighter, plainer body with the GT's engine) became the budget-muscle bargain of the era. (Horsepower figures are SAE net.)
Specifications
- Engines
- 2.3 I4 (fuel-injected)90 hp
- 302 "5.0 HO" V8 (SEFI; E7TE heads)225 hp
- Transmissions
- 5-speed manual (T-5), AOD 4-speed automatic
- Body styles
- Coupe (notchback, LX), Hatchback (3-door), Convertible
- Base price
- $8,271 (LX coupe)See what that's worth today →
- Production
- 159,145
Year over year
What changed
- Major 'aero' facelift: flush composite headlamps, smoothed body, restyled front and rear, all-new dashboard and interior.
- The 5.0 HO gained E7TE cylinder heads and rose to 225 hp — the definitive Fox 5.0 output.
- The V6 was dropped; the lineup narrowed to the 2.3 four and the 5.0 V8.
- Trim consolidated to LX and GT; the 5.0 LX paired the V8 with the lighter, plainer body.
Worth knowing
Notable
- The definitive late-Fox 'aero' look that ran through 1993.
- The 5.0 LX 'sleeper' — GT power in a lighter, cheaper body — became a budget-muscle icon.
Living with it
Reliability & ownership notes
- The 1987–93 E7TE-head 5.0 is the strong, well-supported engine the Fox-body is famous for — vast aftermarket.
- Watch for abuse and modification on these popular performance cars; verify the speed-density (1987–88) vs mass-air distinction.
- Inspect for Fox-body rust, especially on convertibles.
What it costs now
Price today
Current market value
We don't publish a market estimate for the 1987 model year yet. A valuation ships here only when it can be sourced and dated — we'd rather show nothing than a number we can't stand behind.
Original MSRP adjusted for inflation (CPI, 2024); not the car's current market/collector value. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, CPI-U (U.S. city average, all items), annual average.
Maintenance & service parts
Keep your 1987 Mustang on the road
Start with the service interval, then match the engine or exact version you own. Order links appear only when a catalog-backed part number is available, and every listing still needs a fitment check.
Service desk
What this car needs & when
Use this as a service-planning checklist for 1987 Ford Mustang. Start with the interval, confirm which engine or configuration you have, then use an exact ordering reference when one is verified.
- Service topics
- 7
- Factory intervals
- 6
- Fitment-scoped
- 7
- Exact references
- 1
Before orderingIdentify your engine, options and build date.Part numbers and sizes can change within one model year. Shopping links appear only for catalog-backed references; still verify the listing against your vehicle before ordering.
Engine oil and filter
Sourced interval available
Source: Operation CHARM — 1987 Ford Mustang factory service schedule mirror · Normal Service 7,500/15,000/30,000-mile and Severe Service 3,000/30,000-mile records; 2.3L SOHC and 5.0L HO schedules cross-checked · checked
Severe service
Source: Operation CHARM — 1987 Ford Mustang factory service schedule mirror · Normal Service 7,500/15,000/30,000-mile and Severe Service 3,000/30,000-mile records; 2.3L SOHC and 5.0L HO schedules cross-checked · checked
Engine oil filter
Exact reference available
Manufacturer application-catalog fitment only; this does not establish an oil-change interval.
2.3L EFI inline-four
Baldwin B2
Source: Baldwin Filters — Automotive Applications catalog (2017) · PDF page 264 — Ford 1987, Mustang 2.3L row · checked
Verified ordering references
- Service replacementBaldwin B2
Qty. 1 · Engine oil filter · catalog-listed
Baldwin's manufacturer application table lists this filter for the stated model year and engine. Confirm the VIN and installed engine before ordering.
Catalog: Baldwin Filters — Automotive Applications catalog (2017) · PDF page 264 — Ford 1987, Mustang 2.3L row · checked
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5.0L High-Output EFI V8
Baldwin B2
Source: Baldwin Filters — Automotive Applications catalog (2017) · PDF page 264 — Ford 1987, Mustang 5.0L row · checked
Verified ordering references
- Service replacementBaldwin B2
Qty. 1 · Engine oil filter · catalog-listed
Baldwin's manufacturer application table lists this filter for the stated model year and engine. Confirm the VIN and installed engine before ordering.
Catalog: Baldwin Filters — Automotive Applications catalog (2017) · PDF page 264 — Ford 1987, Mustang 5.0L row · checked
Search this part on Amazon
Engine air-filter element
Sourced interval available
Source: Operation CHARM — 1987 Ford Mustang factory service schedule mirror · Normal Service 7,500/15,000/30,000-mile and Severe Service 3,000/30,000-mile records; 2.3L SOHC and 5.0L HO schedules cross-checked · checked
Engine coolant
Sourced interval available
Source: Operation CHARM — 1987 Ford Mustang factory service schedule mirror · Normal Service 7,500/15,000/30,000-mile and Severe Service 3,000/30,000-mile records; 2.3L SOHC and 5.0L HO schedules cross-checked · checked
Spark plugs
Sourced interval available
Source: Operation CHARM — 1987 Ford Mustang factory service schedule mirror · Normal Service 7,500/15,000/30,000-mile and Severe Service 3,000/30,000-mile records; 2.3L SOHC and 5.0L HO schedules cross-checked · checked
Crankcase ventilation filter
Sourced interval available
Source: Operation CHARM — 1987 Ford Mustang factory service schedule mirror · Normal Service 7,500/15,000/30,000-mile and Severe Service 3,000/30,000-mile records; 2.3L SOHC and 5.0L HO schedules cross-checked · checked
Automatic transmission fluid
Sourced interval available
Source: Operation CHARM — 1987 Ford Mustang factory service schedule mirror · Normal Service 7,500/15,000/30,000-mile and Severe Service 3,000/30,000-mile records; 2.3L SOHC and 5.0L HO schedules cross-checked · checked
Collect
Bring this model year home
Find a scale model using the exact year, make, and model—not a generic generation search.
Sources
- Wikipedia — "Ford Mustang (third generation)"
- FoxStang — 5.0 Fox-body engine specs
- LMR (Late Model Restoration)
- Hagerty
- MustangSpecs — per-year base MSRP
Other Third generation years
Explore the Fox-body generation →All Third generation · Fox-body years →