Up for grabs is a limited production 1984 Ford Mustang GT350, a model built in commemoration of the car’s 20th anniversary. Despite the revival of the iconic nameplate, this GT350 had very little to do with the original Shelby GT350, a point that was not lost on Mustang loyalists in 1984. The car seen here was purchased new by the seller in 1984, likely making it one of a very few cars left still in the first owner’s care. It appears to have been looked after, and has just 62,000 miles on the clock and the preferred five-speed manual. Find it here on craigslist for $9,100.
Thanks to Barn Finds reader Rex M. for the find. You can certainly understand the uproar over selling a model like this with no actual connection to Carroll Shelby; conversely, you can’t blame Ford for trying to draw a bridge between its modern day muscle car and the one that started it all. Since prices haven’t exactly soared for this model, I’d say there’s no harm in buying one since you won’t be paying a premium for what amounts to just being a special edition model sold in limited quantities. While there was no major performance gain with this model, the seller does note that carbureted cars like this one enjoyed a ten horsepower bump over the injected version.
This example also has the benefit of being spec’d with a manual transmission. So, if you were looking for a 20th anniversary model with the best out of the box performance, a 4-speed, carbureted 5.0L model is the one to buy. Kudos to the seller for not modifying it, not even an exhaust, as the value in a special edition model like this lies almost entirely in it being kept in factory condition. The only tweak the seller has made is a sensible one, swapping out the dreaded TRX wheels and tires for standard fitment rolling stock – though I personally would find a different wheel design. The interior, as you can see, is in exceptional condition.
I was actually pleasantly surprised by the cabin, as the outside doesn’t present all that well – this is a car that would benefit handsomely from a proper detailing, or at least better photos. The up-close photos show a different story, as the paint appears glossy and the GT350 graphics appear to be in excellent condition. The interior, again, is spectacular, and the backseat looks like it was never used. The seller notes is car number 246 of 901 carbureted examples, and given he’s the guy who drove it home with two miles on the clock, he likely knows it the best. Would you drive a 20th Anniversary Mustang, despite the lack of a direct connection to Carroll Shelby?
Looks like a decent four-eye Fox Body. These GT 350’s are around, it’s not hard to find them. The interior looks good. The exterior looks worn but doesn’t seem to have any major flaws. Wonder what the engine looks like?
The good-looking Pony wheels are the de-facto choice for many Fox Body owners, thus in my opinion have become over-used. And, in this case, the lack of the center caps really detracts from the curb appeal. A set of the new 16″ TRX-style wheels would look great.
No commas or periods makes the ad hard to read.
One owner unmodified Fox Body, eye-catching model, maybe it’s a bit overpriced but it is under five figures. Relatively cheap fun to be had.
My friend ordered one of these new.
I liked the Retro theme, it had a carb and had some pull banging through the gears.
I always remember the little plate on the dash or console (?) that had his name and the production # on it.
Jeff, I disagree with you a bit, ‘dreaded TRX tires’? They were Michelin, and in my opinion, quite good if you could afford them. I saw people put plain steel wheels on mustang to avoid buying them. I laughed whenever I saw this… So many people buy cars without knowing what replacement tires cost…
“A 4 speed gearbox”?I believe by ’83,or certainly by ’84 the GT came with the 5 speed.Possibly in ’83 you could chose between a 4 or 5 speed manual,no?
The T-5 5-speed debuted in midyear ’83 (1983 1/2), replacing the 4-speed. I don’t think both were offered at the same time so there wasn’t a choice of one or the other, it just depended on when the car was built.
I bought a new GT in 83, it came with a five speed.
Fuel injection did not happen in these cars until 1986. I was selling Fords at that time. 5 speed and automatic only available in’84. Having driven and sold both carb and fuelie cars my preference was for the fuel injection. Trx rims and Michelin’s were nice but odd sized and Michelin was never inexpensive
Some 85s had EFI, mid year switch I believe my neighbor had one, it was sold as a 85.
The 1984 also could have the lo-po EFI 302 with automatic. A friend of mine had a new GT350 just like this but with that combo.
It was a non high out 302 with throttle body fuel injection, still had the big round air cleaner, not the hot set up that started in ’86 replacing the four barrel carburetor.
I’d take this over a beater ’65-’68 coup (for the same price) any day.
I had one, straight off the lot. THen I got married…couldn’t fit the boys in the backseat with the door post. After bumping their heads on the door post I traded for an Escort wagon. Had a roof rack, Insurance company said the wagon was a sports car because of the rack. I asked them if they had driven an escort wagon. I miss my 5.0 5 spd with the TRX wheels.
GONE.
I had a feeling that this one would sell fast.
It should be noted that these came with 2 available engines: the 5 liter V8 and the turbocharged 4 cylinder that was also available in Mustang GTs (no intercooler).
Actually three. There were two different 5 0s. EFI if you ordered automatic or 4-bbl carb if you ordered the 5-speed.
Located in Victorville, CA
Had one just like same color inside and out .Had 5 speed.Carb 5.0 . Had tag on dash # an first person name that bought it.
I have one that my folks bought for me new when I was college. Such a great car! When it hit 50k miles it went into “Sunday use only. I will never part with it..
Never say never.
I own a 20th anniversary convertible , I bought it from the original owner with 2800 mile’s in June of 1985 , The car came factory equiped with 5.0 L EFI automatic od .I still have the car it’s an unmolested survivor ! My car came from Flyñn Ford , Bennington , VT.
By the way Ford offered the same power train in the 84 Lincoln Mark vii . As a former Ford tech I am confirming that Ford did offer the EFI on 5.0 L in 1984 .