The market for Fox-body Mustangs is hotter right now than anytime before, as the generation that came of age in the ‘80’s finally has the money to start car collections of their own. Surprisingly, the four-eyed Foxes have proven particularly popular, and rare or unique models are garnering unheard of prices and attention.

It wasn’t that long ago that any 1980 Mustang would easily be overlooked at auction, but this “Enduro” prototype is one of just three 1980 Mustang GTs built and designated as prototype and promotional vehicles. The Mustang Enduro concept proved so popular that a couple of years later, a limited run of street-legal models was made.

The one for sale over at Hemmings is the only one of the original three painted Dark Blue, and along with two red Mustang Eduros, it traveled the country drumming up interest in the IMSA racing series, and of course the still-new Fox-body Mustang. A tarted-up 302 cubic-inch V8 boasts TRW pistons and roller timing set, as well as competition-spec connecting rods in the bottom end. Roller rockers, a Crane hydraulic camshaft, and full-length headers let the engine breathe at its 1980 best.

The real focus of the Mustang GT Enduro, however, was its suspension setup. Utilizing four-wheel power disc brakes, special control arms, power steering, a chassis stiffening kit, the Enduro rode on a full set of Koni shocks, springs and sway bars. It wears BBS three-piece forged racing wheels wrapped in racing rubber, and the whole thing only has about 14,000 miles on it. There’s also a rollcage and a five-speed Borg Warner manual transmission, along with a distinctive McLaren-style fiberglass front end, headlight covers, and hood.

Looking over the car in photos, we have to wonder if this wasn’t the inspiration for the ’85-’86 Mustangs, even though the upper grill is closed off, its design reminds us of those cars. The lower valance on the front could also be inspiration for the Saleen Mustangs of those same years, four years before Steve Saleen built and sold his first Saleen Mustangs.

There’s a whole lot more too, including Recaro Racing seats and a Blaupunkt 200-watt stereo system, and the whole package is expected to fetch between $45,000 and $60,000 when it crosses the Auctions America’s Hilton Head event at the end of October.