Another day, another 1 of 1 muscle car. The Marti Report has become one of the most trusted resources in the Ford Mustang community for deciphering VIN numbers and assessing granular-level production details. It’s incredible what you can find out decades after a car was manufactured. This 1983 Ford Mustang GT listed here on eBay is a standout for simply being in immaculate condition, but it’s the details that make this car a truly unique model. With a 5-speed, a gorgeous cardinal red interior, and some interesting options, the four-eyed ‘Stang will set you back $18,995 or best offer.
Say what you will about the marketing that goes into a car like this, but Kevin Marti does provide an incredible service. Being able to go back to your car’s birthdate and see exactly how it was configured is pretty remarkable, especially to those of us in the foreign car community who don’t own vehicles that are appropriate for certificates of authenticity. The Marti Report really does allow “average” car collectors to understand what the first owner was thinking when they ordered it. I doubt the original caretaker of this Mustang thought he was ordering a true 1 of 1, but the color combination alone had to be pretty unique for the era.
This Mustang wears Silver Metallic paint with a Medium Red vinyl interior. That alone makes it one of just 26 cars when you factor in the 5.0L V8 and 5-speed manual transmission. What really sets it apart is the “metric speedometer” and the “Premium Sound System”, as those two options are the ones that trigger the 1 of 1 designation. Now, I get what you’re thinking: who cares, right? Well, the Mustang community does, and this status will carry some weight with Fox body collector, especially one that doesn’t have a clean four-eyed convertible in their stable. Aside from all of that, it’s also apparent this Mustang was looked after carefully, given it has outstanding cosmetics.
In 1983, the bigger deal is that the Mustang was beginning to produce some respectable power. With 175 horsepower and 245 lb-ft of torque in GT trim, and paired to a 5-speed manual gearbox, this drop-top Mustang will move out of its own way with ease. While you may grow concerned that it’s foolish to drive such a rare car, let me assure you: Marti Report or not, this is a specimen you can still drive with gusto while appreciating its production status according to Ford’s own archives. Perhaps for the truly industrious, you can even track down the original owner and let them know how rare their metric speedometer and Premium Sound-equipped convertible is.
Excellent write-up Jeff. You are spot-on about Kevin and his Marti Report: what an outstanding resource it is. I “get it” that often a 1 of 1 car is the result of an unusual grouping of options, and that piece of info has limited value. But in most cases, it is interesting (and fun, and useful) to know the data on broader items (paint, interior color and trim, powertrains).
The Mustang and Ford community cherishes this info, and certainly does care.
Very nice Fox convertible.
BF is hitting it out of the park today, with yet another stunner, this time a very nice “Fox Body” (how I hate that term) GT convertible with some beans to back it up. Not to mention, 3 pedals! And I believe I speak for the author, this car should be driven at least on the back roads away from the rat race…on nice days..with the top down!
I’m part of the Mustang community, and most of us don’t care about 1:1 status when it’s some little detail that creates it. My own 1968 Mustang convertible is 1:1 thanks to a pinstripe. It’s a nice bonus, but it’s not something I’d put on a show poster. The Mustang had a very long option list, so there were many 1:1 cars made.
I agree one year in Carlisle I saw 4 one of one 70 Boss 302’s. I had a one of one 67 GT fastbacks. Meant not much when I went to sell it hahaha. It’s about talk I guess.
The 4 barrel was big news in ’83, and a big step in the evolution of the HO.
My brother and I each leased the 5.0 HO in ’82 but in the Capri RS version and really enjoyed our cars, and ran better than the low-to-today standards HP would indicate. I went on to then get an ’83 5 spd with the new Holley 4v when they came out and drove the wheels off – was a blast to drive. This one still has the factory traction bars.
This one also curiously has headers (stock it did not) but a single exhaust with no catalytic converter (“custom” exhaust the ad says).
Worth a close look and documentation/history would help.
Clean, very clean. Good Luck!
The ’85 GT did in fact come with factory headers. This car isn’t wearing them (they’re aftermarket judging by the tag welded to them) but would’ve been delivered with Fords version.
1 of 1 :)
good looking convert. love the colors. single exhaust is strange and no cat convert.
…yah the 1 of 1 is not a huge deal when it’s superficial options.
But the metric speedo is unique. I am curious of the story behind why it was chosen (Canadian, someone in the service who planned to take the car overseas??)
Either way, the 4 eyed ‘stangs are my favorites. Had a ’79 Turbo long long ago that I miss more so as I get along in years.
Better check the date codes on the tires. Cars with low miles tend to have old tires. AND these TRX wheels require TRX tires. Which at times hard to find AND NEVER cheap to purchase. A past neighbor bought a new set for his TRX equipped V8 Mustang convertible only to discover even being new/never used. They were already 4 years old. And they weren’t cheap!
Single exhaust from the factory is definitely stock unless you checked the option for dual exhaust and as far as I can remember, the five speed didn’t come out until 84 or 85. That car should be a four speed manual and I don’t think any Mustang from the factory came with headers. also, this is a Mustang GLX not GT, which is probably why it has single exhaust.
Those are aftermarket trx copy’s that I forget who was making them but they come in 16 inch size so no overpriced metric Michelin tire only and 4yr old brand new never been mounted on a wheel but he’ll back in the 70,s early 80,s who really looked at the date the tire was made if it fit had a lot of tread left and I had 4 that matched that’s what was put on the car
Not a fan of the mexican blanket dash facia…
I got my Marti report for my 83 GT Turbo two years ago. Showing it to be one of 556 GT Turbos. A subsequent registry puts my car at number 500. 1of 1 are interesting but im not sure if it will really affect a resale value, unless its a performance element like a big block engine etc. That said its nice watch prices going up on these Foxbodies.
Really nice looking Mustang. Color looks great too. I always envied the Ford people who had the opportunity to get a Marti Report. Being a Mopar guy I really wish a similar type service was available for us.
I have a air cleaner lid just like that hanging in my garage! Got it back in the early 1990’s from a coworker at the dealership I worked at. It is strange this car does not have dual exhaust.