“You didn’t forget, right? Oh, not again. It’s an important anniversary.” People can say that about milestones that happen in a marriage, and car lovers can echo such sentiments, with significant models or packages coming out to celebrate milestone years since a marque was first introduced. That’s what we have with this 1984 Mustang G.T. 350. (Yes, the periods are in the graphics–see for yourself here on craigslist.) This was the celebration of twenty years of Mustang, and it can be yours for $9,600 (or less, depending on how you bargain and what the seller’s attitude is). If you’d like to own it, you need to bundle up your cash and get yourself to Hammonton, New Jersey to make your play. Thank Tony Primo for the tip as you go.
It might be that Mustang is the most “anniversaried” car out there. There was no celebration for ten years, at least not that I’m aware of, but most of the other milestones of time passing have been commemorated. The most recent two were the 50th-anniversary model and, of late, the sixtieth. These were fully optioned GTs which ran into some mighty high numbers when it came time to sign the down payment check. The 2015-1/2 edition as the fiftieth was called, for instance, stickered at around $46,990 and was sold by many dealers for more than that. The newest, commemorating sixty years, was far more costly. That makes this car’s ten grand ask seem like a relative bargain, if being part of Mustang history is your aim. And why not? You’re not likely to see too many more of these. There were 5260 of them made (some sources add one to that number), and so far, 1980s cars have not caught on with collectors. You can start to change that, though.
So what do you get here? A very-80s look with the square, seemingly very non-aerodynamic, headlights, but an attractive burgundy and Oxford White exterior livery and crushed burgundy (properly “Canyon Red”) on the inside. Some fancying up was in order for this twentieth-anniversary year, including the aforementioned exterior badging, a commemorative dash plaque, some suspension tweaks, and Marchal fog lamps mounted for front-facing visibility. What you don’t want is the damage this car has suffered from a falling tree limb. There’s a replacement fender included, and the seller describes the damage in ways that make it seem minor, but you need to decide for yourself whether this is something you can live with, fix cheaply, or which is going to demand a complete repaint. In that case, the cost goes up, perhaps by too much.
Engine options were a 5.0-liter V8, which this car fortunately has, and a 2.3-liter 4-cylinder. The eight-cylinder powering this 25,000 mile car is motivated by a stick-shift, a five-speed to be precise, so how much more retro-muscle can you get? Don’t expect a ton of power, though, as numbers are reported at right around 175hp. But note that this ad suggests that the seller has so go-fast goodies that go along with the car, so you can modify, or not, if your sensibilities allow it. I’d lean towards keeping things stock, as a tribute that what this car is as an anniversary model. I like the hatchback/fastback body style more than I favor its companion convertible, so sign me up to represent Mustang’s twentieth year of production.
Yes, anniversary models are “a thing” in the Mustang world. This one looks good overall; too bad about the damage from the tree. I’m always concerned about the post-repair paint match. Looks like the seller was in the process of muscling it up a bit. I suspect the Marti Report (the seller has it, please include a pic) would show it originally had TRX’s.
Thanks Brian K.
Looks like a nice ride, but don’t love the style. V8+5spd is good combo.
A shadow of its namesake. It’s a modified project, with a mileage claim that probably can’t be verified. The Mustangs coming down the pike a few years later did not need to rely on dredged up a model designation from decades earlier to generate interest and can be found in much better condition for not much more than this cars asking price.
Steve R
I bought one used, red exterior, same red interior, 4 speed, but just a 4 cylinder.
Good transportation for a few years.
When I went to sell it, got suprised by the people who did not read the add. They would show up and say they could not drive a standard.
Seems like a whole generation never drove stick.
This looks like a decent deal.