1990 Government SSP Unmarked

[SmallTires]

Hi all,

A couple months back I happened to stop into a local auto dismantler. I noticed out of the corner of my eye in a back lot was a blue mustang coupe. I couldn't tell if it was a 5.0 as it was behind a fence any some distance away. I asked to speak to the manager so I could take a look at it as I have been looking for a 5.0 coupe for sometime. What I found was that it was a 5.0 coupe in surprisingly decent shape, given it was dropped off at a scrap yard. I asked why it had been brought in, and the story I was told is someone just dropped it off as an old car they didn't want. I asked for the keys and to take a look inside it, and I was obliged. I opened up the door and looked at the speedometer and my heart skipped a beat. I knew by the certified instrument cluster this was a special order car. About that time I also noticed the screw mounts for a radio in the console and the roof antenna mount. I had initially thought it was for the CHP as admittedly I wasn't familiar with all the varieties of SSP cars. I took a picture of the door tag on my phone and a few of the car and went home to do my research. I had asked if they would be interested in selling the vehicle whole rather than parting it out and the answer was someone else was going to buy it. My heart sank, but I left my business card and phone number and said if this person backs out I'll buy it.

Flash Forward two months and I am sitting at my desk in my office and had put the car out of my head. I get a call from an unfamiliar number. I let it go to voice mail. It's the manager of the dismantler saying the other guy couldn't come up with the money but if I was still interested in it I could have it. Here's what I hauled home for the grand total of $1100. After some research I realized it was a government special order vehicle. It is in surprisingly original condition in that it has nothing modified, the exhaust system is factory original. It does not a considerable amount of work, as the suspension is shot and the motor has water in the oil. Car's interior is very good considering it age. And the body has one repaint. It is light crystal blue exterior and interior in color. It is an auto, which I have learned isn't nearly as common as a five speed, which I would love to have, but you can't ahve it all I suppose. Over all the car is solid. It A carfax revealed that it has had five owners prior to myself, all in California. The car was last registered in 2007. Given the mileage, 207k, and it's given condition including the interior it looks as if someone put in, in a garage and planned on restoring it but never got around to it and finally junked it. Here it is as I found it. Not the cars in the background where it was destined to be had I not bothered to save it. Also of note the person interested in the car noted took off the driver side 5.0 marking and threw it inside to attempt to hide the car at distance from would be competitive buyers. There is also the chrome fender flairs that will need to go soon. Vehicle is marked sold in grease pen, not to me at the time of the photo.

[SmallTires]

And here is me triumphantly hauling it out of that place and to a new lease on life. I have also included the door tag and a few other pics of the vehicle in it's current resting place. I plan on restoring it to it's original state. Car needs alot of work but is a solid rust free start. I have ordered the deluxe Marti report in hopes of finding out where it was initially sold and attempting to track down some history on it. I'm just waiting to receive it right now. Unfortunately because it is a government car, it will be hard to find. Buck tags state govt on them. Picture included here as well. Looking at it, this is a very uncommon color combo as it is. What can you guys tell me beyond the basics I know. I am pretty excited to start this project, as I have owned several fox bodies. I have wanted a 5.0 coupe for awhile and this one is pretty unique. The only down side is it now has a junk title, rendering the value nothing. But truthfully I have no interest in selling it. Car fax revealed no accidents or damage and the body shows the same from inspection. Checking through your registry this car definitely does not appear in it and is unknown to you folks till now.

[MOstang]

Congrats and welcome!

[FoxChassis]

Congrats on the find! This VIN is not even in the VIN Project because it is in a group of two consecutive VINs. (I only originally supplied VINs in groups of three or more consecutive.) I sent Bill (28HopUp) the other VIN, so I'm sure he will add them to the VIN Project and create a page for this car.

Is there something you wanted decoded from the door tag? I have created a buck tag decoder so that is self serve. It is available here: http://www.specialservicemustang.net...ead.php?t=4540

[28HopUp]

Thanks for the photos! I added your SSP to our VIN Project -

http://www.specialservicemustang.net...info209092.htm


Nice looking car you picked up, and at a great price too!

[RARESSP]

Really cool car and great story on saving it!! Light Crystal Blue rare indeed cool car and keep the pics coming...

[PR93LXCOUPE]

Have fun with the project, Great save!!!

[usajay38]

Good find!!

[mac88chp]

Way to go, should be a fun project!

[ChrisL]

Wow, what a great save!! Congrats!