One-Owner 1,083 mile ASC/McLaren Convertible 5.0L V8 5spd Manual A/C 1 of 68

From exclusive Roush and Saleen offerings to a barrage of Shelbys, SVTs and SVOs, the Mustang has always featured a substantial portfolio of unique and unforgettable performers. But, even within that colorful history, the legacy of America's favorite pony car is punctuated by little known treasures. And when it comes to rare riches, it doesn't get much more exciting than this 1,083-mile Mustang ASC/McLaren survivor. Purchased by its one and only owner because he thought his Buick Grand National was simply too common, this Ford was bought with collectability in mind, and has been treated as a long-term investment since new. Looking for a treasured authentic that you can preserve and enjoy? This fully documented Fox Body is one of the finest new age classics on the planet!

HISTORY AND CONDITION

Introduced in 1979 as a replacement for the compact Mustang II, the Fox Body Mustang was a welcome departure from the bloated and toothless pony cars of the late-1970s. However, despite rebounding sales, the marque didn't warrant enough attention for Ford to invest in a convertible model. That posed a unique problem for one Mercedes-driving Ford employee. See, the American automotive industry is fiercely competitive, and, at one time, it was normal for companies to ban competitors' vehicles from corporate parking lots. That meant our Ford employee couldn't drive her beloved Mercedes SL to work. Fortunately, that employee's husband was a well-connected engineer, and he decided to remedy the problem by creating a Ford version of the Mercedes SL roadster. After a prototype was built, he showed the car to Ford division executives seeking a limited production run. However, by that time, the brand had already commissioned its own drop-top Mustang that was set to debut the next model year. The idea seemed all but dead until some mildly miffed Mercury execs, upset over the corporate neglect of their popular Capri model, phoned for a meeting.

Mercury immediately took to the idea, and the engineer coordinated with friends at American Specialty Cars (ASC) to cement his creation's production. It's no coincidence that you're probably familiar with ASC. Founded as the American Sunroof Company, ASC had, until 2017, long been the industry's go-to source for limited-production gems. Since the Capri was only available as a 3-door hatch, the conversion took quite a bit of engineering. In a bid to create a true competitor to car's like the SL and Cadillac Allante, ASC decided to contract McLaren for some choice suspension tuning. And the end result was a topless, $21K variant of Mercury's hottest sports car. As you might imagine, adding a convertible that was as expensive as a Lincoln Mark VII did little to help the Capri's spiraling sales. But, the good news was: by the time the Capri took its first hiatus in 1986, Ford had become very interested in the model's ASC conversions.

Offered as a factory-backed package applied to actual convertibles, as opposed to the hatchback Capri, all ASC/McLaren Mustangs began life as Black LXs that had been equipped with GT front-clips and married to GT interiors. Before leaving the factory, ASC-bound cars were fitted with reinforced doors, reinforced cowls, reinforced windshield frames, and heavier side and front glass. And, upon their arrival to ASC, the cars were subjected to a pretty substantial conversion. For starters, the entire chassis received additional boxed reinforcement. Under a new Cambria cloth roof, a 3-piece backlite was complemented with re-engineered A-pillars that increased the rake of the car's windshield. And finally, quality Sikkens paint highlighted new ground effects, a new spoiler, new tail lamps, a new rear bumper and a new header panel.

The story of this pristine drop-top, 1 of only 68 1988 ASC/McLarens produced in Sterling Silver and Gray, begins with a passionate collector who specializes in long-term investments. While purchasing a Buick Grand National to preserve and someday sell, the collector expressed a bit of concern about the car's 'large' 10,000-unit production run. That's when his friend told him about the ASC/McLaren Mustang. After a little searching, the collector, located in Georgia, found a Tennessee dealership that was willing to deal. And, after being trucked to Atlanta, this Mustang joined his 9-car arsenal in climate-controlled storage. Recently, as ASC/McLarens started gaining prominence, the collector changed his routine of uncovering and idling the car to actually driving the car. Warm receptions at parades and cruise-ins led to two appearances at the Mustang Club of America Grand Nationals, where the car was awarded Gold honors. And today, this 1-owner Ford is offered as an incredible, 1,083-mile time capsule that's 100% original with the exception of its battery, radiator and radiator hoses.

POWER AND POWER MANAGMENT

The Mustang has long been the champion of budget performance, and much of that has to do with the rock-solid engines Ford bolts between the car's fenders. Pop the hood and you'll find a venerable 5.0 liter Windsor block that twists a stout 225 horsepower into an even 300 lb./ft. of torque. While this mill made its first appearance in the budget-minded Fairlane, it eventually became a trusted ally on the highway, drag strip and road course. That bodes well for the buyer of this exclusive ASC/McLaren, since all the engine's mostly-original components can be easily repaired if needed. 'Mostly-original' is the key phrase there as everything except the car's battery, radiator and hoses, the latter of which sprang a slight leak in 2015, is just as the factory left it. Like all ASC/McLaren Mustang's, this Ford's clean engine bay still sports an original coat of Ford Black paint. And, with just under 2K miles on the clock, the spry mill is ripe for decades of casual cruising!

In addition to great aesthetics, this convertible features an aggressive, 1.5-inch lower stance that was engineered by the pros at McLaren. The hot five-oh funnels grunt to an original Borg Warner T5 manual, which appropriates power to a Ford 8.8-inch axle that's finished with mild, 2.73 gears. When the time comes to slow down, a familiar combination of power-assisted discs and drums gets the job done efficiently. Naturally, power rack-and-pinion steering is present and accounted for. A factory exhaust system breathes through original, “Ford” stamped mufflers. At the corners, attractive ASC/McLaren alloys spin original 225/60VR15 Goodyear Eagle VR60s. And everything on this pony's well-preserved undercarriage appears largely weather-free.

COMFORT

It doesn't take much time inside the car to realize this is no ordinary Mustang. The first major giveaway is the absence of a back seat, which has been cleared to make room for a flush tonneau that houses a fully recessed top. For the driver and front passenger, multi-adjustable sport seats wear 2-tone ASC/McLaren covers. That leather treatment extends to an ASC-tailored steering wheel, which floats in front of a pliable, crack-free dash. At the sides of that dash, stylish ASC/McLaren door panels frame requisite power door locks and predictable power windows. Opposite those panels, a custom ASC/McLaren console frames a leather-wrapped shifter. And the tunes keep bumping thanks to a premium tape deck and big Kenwood speakers.

VEHICLE SALE INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTATION AND ACCESSORIES

* The car's original VIN stickers
* The car's original Ford Door Tag
* The car's original Ford Punch Card
* The car's original Ford Owner Guide
* Original factory accessory literature
* A vintage ASC/McLaren sales brochure
* The car's original ASC/McLaren Owner Guide Supplement
* The car's original Ford OwnerCard
* The car's original Invoice from Pontiac Master-GMC Truck, Inc. of Augusta, Georgia
* The car's original Odometer Mileage Statement
* Records for all the car's service
* Literature from the car's Mustang Club of America outings
* Mustang Club of America judging sheets
* A Ford Motor Company Special Equipment Parts List
* A thorough breakdown of ASC/McLaren Mustang production
* The car's original front tag bracket
* The car's original wiper arms
* An original ASC key chain

Produced in limited quantities for a mere four years, ASC/McLaren Mustangs have become very exclusive collectibles. Being a 1988 model, this fully documented pony is the best of the collaboration. And, logging only 1,083 miles in the hands of one loving owner, it would be right at home in any serious Mustang collection. Don't miss your chance to own this rare, highly desirable piece of Ford history!

SUMMARY

* Fully documented survivor
* One owner
* 1,083 actual miles
* 1 of only 1,015 1988 ASC/McLaren Mustangs
* 1 of only 68 produced in Sterling Silver and Gray
* 2 time Gold award winner at Mustang Club of America Grand Nationals
* 5.0 liter V8
* 5-speed manual transmission
* Air conditioning
* ASC/McLaren body modifications
* ASC Cambria cloth top
* ASC/McLaren exclusive interior
* McLaren-tuned suspension
* 15-inch ASC/McLaren wheels
* ASC-upgraded sound system