Jump LinksThe Return Of The GT Solidified This ApproachFord's 1990s Muscle Car Needed The Extra SafetyThe passing of time has a profound effect on the value of different vehicles, with their worth changing depending on how rare they are, as well as how many good-quality and unmolested specimens are still left out in the wild. Some less attractive or more mass-built machines never escalate in value all that much due to the relative lack of interest from used buyers and collectors, but more prominent cars start to become valued collectibles as they get on in years.Take 2000s supercars like the Mercedes-McLaren SLR and the wailing Porsche Carrera GT as good examples, as these rare supercars are steadily reaching classic status, with both now over 20 years old. One of the biggest movers in recent times is the 1990 Ford Mustang GT, with its used value having gone through the roof. The Foxbody Mustang Matured Nicely Throughout Its Life Bring A Trailer While the Ford Mustang was, and remains, one of the American brand's most prolific models – having broken the fastest-selling production vehicle record when it first arrived in 1964 – it went through a tough time in the 1970s. The end of the muscle car golden era suddenly meant buyers didn't want a distasteful V8 under the hood of their car, and the Mustang, among other similar nameplates, was left out in the cold. Ford released a second-generation model in 1974, though it initially wasn't available with a V8. This was rectified in 1975 with the addition of a Windsor V8 to the range, but the model lacked the magic of its predecessor.Ford tried to put this right by launching a third-gen Mustang in 1979, which was named the Foxbody after its more 1980s-European coupe-styled silhouette. Despite not being graced with a V8 until 1982, the Foxbody largely restored the Mustang's reputation for being a performance weapon that gearheads should take seriously. The Return Of The GT Solidified This Approach Mecum Auctions Alongside the resurrection of the V8 under the hood of the Mustang, Ford also breathed new life into the GT moniker, which had been resting for the previous 13 years. This marked the start of a new era for the model, with Ford gradually upgrading it during its long life, which ultimately came to an end in 1993. By 1990, the Mustang GT was starting to regain some of the eye-opening performance it had been known for in the 1960s. The 1990 Mustang GT Represented A More Caring Muscle Car Mecum Auctions While muscle cars tend to be geared towards those who laugh at speed limits, ensuring they protect their occupants in the event of a crash is a level of responsibility to which even they need to adhere. The 1990 Mustang was a big step forward in this regard, given that all models now came with a steering-wheel-mounted airbag system, as well as a redesigned dash panel that better protected the driver's knees in a front-end impact. This not only paid dividends when it was new, but also ensures those looking to buy a classic in 2025 don't necessarily have to trade safety for the privilege. Ford's 1990s Muscle Car Needed The Extra Safety Mecum Auctions It needed these driver-protecting enhancements too, as by this point, Ford had started to elevate the Mustang's performance drastically. While it really started to make big steps forward in pace with the SN95 and S197 follow-ups, the 1987 Mustang GT got an upgraded 5.0-liter V8 powerplant that increased power output to 225 hp. This grunt was sent to the rear wheels via a five-speed manual gearbox, though you could also specify a four-speed automatic transmission. These elements were carried through until the end of the Foxbody's production run in 1993, with the vehicle also being graced with the usual stiffened suspension setup and a limited-slip differential. The only real drawback was the Mustang GT's braking system, which consisted of brake discs only at the front, with the rear wheels having to make do with rather rudimentary drum brakes.The 1990 Mustang GT could hit 60 mph in a shade over six seconds too, ensuring it was one of the fastest vehicles you could get for your money at the time. The Foxbody Was The Affordable Classic Mustang, Until Now Bring a Trailer For the most part, the Foxbody Mustang built a reputation for being one of the most affordable Mustang models on the road. Around 2.5 million were built during its lifetime, and they were notoriously receptive to upgrades, with a large aftermarket industry being built off the back of this. As the Foxbody falls further into the pages of history though, things are changing. The 1990 Mustang GT illustrates this the clearest, as it has increased in value considerably over the last 12 months.According to Hagerty's Valuation Tool, you could have a good condition example for around $11k in January 2025, while a mint specimen would set you back closer to $44,000. Spin the clock forward to January 2026, and you find a very different picture. A good condition GT will now cost you around $19k, while a mint example demands a stunning $81,000. These reflect value increases of 74.1% and 83.9% respectively, which is eye-catching over just a single year. The value increase was pretty consistent as the year went on too, which suggests that there is still some way for the model to go. The 1990 Mustang GT Is Starting To Become Collectible Bring a Trailer The main reason for this rapid escalation in worth is largely due to the 1990 Mustang GT becoming a pukka classic, the model now 36 years old. This promotes nostalgia in buyers, with many likely wanting to relive their youth by buying back the car they enjoyed during their formative years in school, where they showed off their latest tweaks to their friends in whichever parking lot they frequented. This sentiment is becoming ever stronger as a result of the ever-more soulless machinery flooding dealers in 2026, leading many to try rediscover the magic that automobiles used to exude in spades.Alongside this, original specimens in good condition become ever rarer as some degrade and get scrapped by their non-caring owners, ensuring the ones left become more valuable. The Foxbody Mustang's reputation for being modified has also fed into this somewhat, as the number of original and untouched examples has been narrowed considerably over the years, especially for the many years the Foxbody has remained so affordable for a wide range of buyers.With the improved safety that debuted as part of the 1990 Mustang GT package, the model is now standing out as a usable classic that signified the continued rise of the Mustang in the late 20th century. Judging by the way its values are heading at the moment, getting one while you still can at a decent price is a good shout. For those who currently own a 1990 Mustang GT and fancy bolstering their bank account, keep a close eye on the used market over the coming months.