Talk about a time capsule: this 1986 Ford Mustang SVO not only has a mere 12,990 original miles, but it is also believed to be one of just 69 examples painted in the ultra-rare color of Shadow Blue. This seller has previously sold some incredible time-capsule grade SVOs on eBay, and this one is just as sweet as those. The wheels were chromed by the factory and actually look quite striking on a car with paint this nice. You’ll find the SVO here on eBay with no significant flaws to report and a Buy-It-Now of $38,900, which somehow still seems like a bargain to me.
I say that because I only see the turbo Fords appreciating going forward. Finding an SVO this nice is going to be nigh impossible in the very near future, as most Mustang fanatics squirreled away the V8 cars if they were going to preserve one as a time capsule. The seller notes that the wheels were chrome-plated by the dealer, so they weren’t a tacky aftermarket add-on. The glass and paint are both original, and the seller notes some light touch-ups and paint correction has been performed.
The interior similarly presents as-new, and you can see the purity of surfaces like the steering wheel, dashboard, and plastic trim is only found in as-new examples. Likewise, the factory floor mats and thickly-bolstered bucket seats show absolutely no wear, and it’s almost to the point you don’t want to sit in it. The seller notes the flocking on the dash was failing when he got it, and this is the only detail that isn’t 100% factory on the inside.
The engine bay was extensively detailed, along with all of the various nuts and bolts underneath the car and on the suspension. The undercarriage shots in the eBay gallery are incredible, with the red Koni shocks looking like new and the suspension hang-tags still present. The seller did do some modest painting of dull surfaces underneath, but really, there’s so little to fault here it doesn’t bear mentioning. I’d say find a better one, but I suspect this guys owns it already.
I’ve always liked SVO’s, and the Shadow Blues are my favorite. Obviously this is a great specimen. The level of detail is outstanding. I’d love to own it.
My comments on the price: Fox Body prices are steadily moving up, especially for the most desired models and for low-mileage stock examples; and as always, you get what you pay for……
I disagree. Almost $39,000.00?? Too much for this guy. It is a great looking car, just too expensive. I appreciate all the work that has gone into this, but, not getting into this one.
Anyone looking for a driver would easily choose the white one at less than 1/3 of the price.
Anyone who buys this and pays the ask would more certainly not be buying the car to cruise, but rather to store or display.
Right. This is utterly beautiful but at this price point what do you really do with it? And what kind of work would it need to make sure it’s roadworthy given it has many original items (gaskets, rubber, etc)?
If I had unlimited money I might take a chance on something like this. Otherwise, i might as well spend 10 to 15 grand on one with 50-75 thousand miles on it and not have to worry about it as much.
But to each his own. Some people have to have the best example of something, and this has to be right up there.
This is my favorite color and year of SVO – wow. I like everything but the price – I think they’ll be hanging onto it for awhile at that price.
I’d probably be the wrong owner for it though as I’d drive it – A LOT!
It’s nice, but I can’t see it close to $40,000, there are too many other desirable cars out there for the same or less money.
This car will never be driven regularly, it will likely wind up with a collector. Some cars deserve that fate more than others, it’s should be based on a number of factors such as rarity, desirability, condition and mileage. That existence guarantees it will live on as an example of what these cars were like when new.
Someone pointed out the white 86 SVO featured on this site the other day that has 90,000+ miles for just over $10,000. That car looks to be more than presentable and would be fun to drive. That’s the car you buy if you want a driver or something to take to local shows, not this one.
Steve R
Agreed on the price. BTW, Ford never chrome plated SVO wheels from the factory.
I had the ones on my ’84 polished by a wheel shop, to a near chrome shine…I wondered if that was the case with these when I saw the photo.
The write-up does mention that the original selling dealer had the wheels plated. No mention that this was a factory option.
I fondly remember when they first came out. I could never understand why someone would purchase one over a 302 V8 GT. The sound of the Gt alone was worth it.
This one does look like one of the best but I think it is way overpriced.
Hagerty lists a Concours example at $21,500. This certainly looks to be in Concours condition. I test drove a brand new one at “Board Ford” on Whittier Blvd., a cruise hot spot in SOCAL. Anyway, it was very impressive, handled very well and most all, it was fun. I didn’t buy it. I bought a new Z28, which appeared to me at the time, to beat the SVO in every way, at less money. After driving it, I realized it wasn’t all that quick and wasn’t much off the line. It certainly had a Euro vibe and I thought more at home canyon racing than boulevard draging. Just the same, it was sexy and a frickin miracle to pull off in the day. I don’t recall them selling well and Ford giving up pretty quickly. It was hard to convince people that 4 was better than 8, when 8 cost the same or less.
What is fascinating is that the new 2020 Mustang 4 banger Ecoboost, with the optional engine performance package, will make 330 HP or roughly double the power of the SVO. Of course, now you can have a 10 speed. I think the 2020 Mustang, at less money is the buy. I think Hagerty has this one right, 21,500 is all the money in the world for this car and worth it.
The TV show “Junkyard Empire” did just that, showing the gargantuan difference in performance afforded by an Ecoboost vs the SVO with it’s 1980s technology.
…or save yourself $32,000 and buy this one on CL in San Antonio fro $6K!
https://sanantonio.craigslist.org/cto/d/canyon-lake-mustang-svo/6917275209.html
I like this car a lot too, but man oh man, for this money you can get yourself a nearly-new condition, low-mile 2012/2013 Boss 302, or be patient and get yourself a quite nice Laguna Seca Boss for the same cash. Either of those would run rings around this, even with two spark plug wires pulled. Yeah in some ways they are different, but in others they are similar. 20 years from now my money is (literally) on the Boss; I have an LS.
Here we go again comparing apple’s and oranges.
Technology on new cars has far eclipsed that of 60’s through 90’s automobiles. So comparing in this case an 86 technology SVO with a 2019 ecoboost engine shows a lack of understanding of the difference in what could be accomplished with the technology of the times. Now w have direct injection and can better control pre-ignition ( for example) so compression ratios can be much higher allowing greater horsepower
Computer controls allow for better handling etc. So ofcourse today’s cars in some regards are far superior to those of yesteryear. But which one someone chooses to purchase is more dependent on what era of auto’s we grew up with and less about whether a 4 cylinder can produce v8 H.P. numbers and even blow it’s doors off. JMHO