It is said that patience is a virtue. If this 1982 Ford Mustang GL were a sentient being, it would possess that attribute in abundance. The seller located it hiding in the back of a body shop, a spot it had occupied for many years. They revived its V8, planning a restoration that never eventuated. Therefore, they feel the Mustang deserves a new home with someone willing to return it to its rightful place on our roads. The seller has listed the GL here on eBay in Houston, Texas. Bidding sits below the reserve at $2,500, but there is a BIN option at $12,500 for those who wish to bypass the auction process.
After its 1979 release, Ford’s Fox-Body Mustang range was firmly established in the market by the time this GL rolled off the line in 1982. The previous Mustang II featured design elements that linked it with the iconic First Generation, but Ford followed an entirely different path with the Fox-Body. Its styling was quite “European,” bearing no similarities to those that came before it. The first owner ordered this GL in Polar White, and based on the car’s history, I suspect it is a stalled restoration project. The seller found it at a body shop, and it appears to have spent considerable time hiding in the corner. It is essentially a solid vehicle, with only limited penetrating rust in the rear hatch beneath the window. Patching the offending area would be easy, though I quickly found a NOS replacement hatch on an online auction site for under $250. Sourcing and fitting that would guarantee a rust-free status. There are spots of surface corrosion, but life in dry and sunny Texas has treated the Mustang well. The glass is in good condition, and the Ford rolls on 16″ alloy wheels.
The seller describes this Mustang’s interior as a time capsule, and it is hard to argue with that assessment. The Texas sun can exact a heavy toll on interior trim, but this car has avoided that fate. The cloth and vinyl surfaces look excellent, and there’s no crumbling plastic. Dashpads are renowned for problems, but this one is crack-free. The radio is missing, although the inside of this Mustang is otherwise complete. The seller supplies a new replacement heater core, as the original failed when they revived this classic. They also indicate an air conditioning leak requiring attention. Those who prefer an additional touch of luxury will welcome this car’s power windows, power locks, and cruise control.
There has always been debate regarding when the Malaise Era ended, and this Mustang demonstrates that Detroit was making progress by 1982. The company’s 302ci V8 hit rock bottom in 1977, with the Mustang II Mach 1 placing 129hp at the driver’s disposal. This GL’s V8 boosts that figure to 157hp, and the situation would improve further during the 1980s as companies came to grips with fuel injection and electronic engine management technology. This Mustang also features a four-speed manual transmission and power-assisted steering and brakes, promising a rewarding driving experience. The seller indicates that the V8 was stuck when they purchased the vehicle, but long-term soaking returned it to a running state. They believe that it may have a blown head gasket, and there are other mechanical shortcomings requiring attention. However, they include an extensive selection of new (and potentially expensive) parts that address most issues, allowing the buyer to return the Mustang to a roadworthy state in the comfort of their own workshop.
This 1982 Ford Mustang GL is a promising project candidate, and with values for the Fox-Body generation climbing, it deserves a close look. However, that statement requires qualification, because the ’82 GL isn’t increasing as rapidly as the GT variant. That is unsurprising, and it also makes the seller’s BIN figure appear slightly optimistic. The included parts cache helps the car’s cause, although I still believe that a lower sale price is justified. If someone capable of being hands-on were to purchase it for less, returning this Mustang to its former glory could be financially feasible. Do you agree?
I always liked the fact that up to the early 90’s you could still buy a ‘92 or ‘93 Fox body Mustang. Not a generic complete body style change every few years we see now a days on the clone like SUV’s. Gave it a sense of staying power.
Yes they got better and style changes did occur but it’s DNA was evident.
The four-eyed Fox Mustangs do have a place in the collector car world. I consider the 1982 GT, with its increased horsepower from the 5.0 and the accompanying “The Boss is Back” advertising, to be the beginning of the end of the Malaise Era. This GL, being a lower trim level, is somewhat less desirable, but since it carries the same desired drivetrain, it also has credibility.
This example doesn’t look bad. It has the preferred powertrain but needs several mechanical repairs, plus some cosmetics. Credit to the seller for listing what needs attention, and for the list of provided parts.
Aside: if one has not lived in Texas, one may not realize its huge size results in widely variable weather. For example, Houston (where this car has been hiding) is certainly not “dry”– it is humid most of the time, often oppressively so. Given that, the car’s storage conditions must not have been terrible.
Thanks Adam, we appreciate your work.
I’m inclined to believe that the odometer has rolled at least once. Given what the seller says is currently wrong with it and its overall condition with possible blown head gasket and leaking heater core I think its already hit its value at around $5k good luck to the seller
Given that it still has a June 85′ inspection sticker on the windshield, that I think is rather cool, I would tend to believe the mileage is orig. The interior looks in wonderful condition and all the mechanical maladies listed could very easy transpire on a car that has just been sitting for 40 years. It’s got a stick which is a big plus and if the rest of the car checked out with no other major issues I think it would certainly be worth buying, though at probably a lesser amount than the seller is asking.
The buy it now price is way too high for this car. Heater core job is no fun. I used to be able to do one in about 2 1/2 hours. But that is using a zipper that one of my techs taught me. Better to check out the a/c leak before replacing the heater core. Although I never saw an evaporator leak on one of these. And I have a ton of experience with these. The 4 speed in these is weak. It’s NOT a top loader. Best off to change it over to a T5 5 speed. Also if not been changed, the Motorcraft AND the Holleys have the same issue with power valve diaphragm leaks. Hello Sniper throttle body injection? I was able to grab an ’84 4cyl. Car that was a stripper with no options and was in great shape other than a carburetor issue. I stripped it down to the shell, scraped off all the assembly sealer, calk and adhesive,. Welded up all the body seams and Installed a turbo 4cyl. setup from a turbo T-Bird (modified for 17psi. boost) and installed all the latest suspension goodies of the time. ,(1989?) And used it as my daily driver for a,few years. Then changed it over to a 5.0. I miss that car for it’s light weight. But my ’87 5.0 is still the fastest Fox body car I have owned.
Why are corrections not being made to the posts? My above listing was corrected for spelling and the uncorrected original posted.