Among muscle car enthusiasts, there’s a tendency to place a great deal of emphasis on special edition trims or rare options that make a car a one-of-five, or what have you. But really, muscle cars are at their best when simply appreciated for offering a ton of bang for the buck and responding surprisingly well to bolt-on modifications. This rare manual-transmission equipped 1984 Ford Mustang GT350 listed here on craigslist for $16,000 is a limited-production model but the bigger story is how it’s been thoughtfully upgraded over the years.
This 1980s-spec GT350 trim caused a good deal of strife for Ford at the time, as enthusiasts still had fond memories of the actual GT350 that they very much wished Ford would produce again. This warmed-over remake was really just a case of slapping some plaques and decals on a standard issue Mustang GT, which did not sit well with the Mustang faithful. Thankfully, this is one of just 587 models equipped with the elusive 5-speed manual gearbox, which definitely increases the desirability factor – not to mention how minty the interior is.
What I really dig about this GT350 in particular is that the rarity factor hasn’t stopped the seller from making some smart upgrades. He’s tightened up the suspension with lowering springs, upgraded sway bars, and new shocks, and also installed the very cool TRX-style wheels that have been updated to accommodate traditional tires. The seller further notes that a new heavy-duty radiator has been installed along with a short-shift kit. There’s also a new idler pulley, battery, and water pump for added peace of mind.
The four-eyed Fox body is an underappreciated muscle car, and while this GT350 may not be especially sought after by collectors, it looks like a wonderful driver with at least the story to go along with it given its place in Mustang history. The seller has done a nice job of updating this car without erasing its history, and it should be a fun driver that will be fairly reliable and cheap to own for years to come.
I like it but 1992 called and wants it’s rims back…What would really look cool would be a set of the new, but vintage 17X8 and and 18X9 offset Shelby 407S wheels. Take a look at a set of these online, very correct, look great and would compliment any older Ford.
Had 17in rims on my now stripped 88′ GT 5.0. Fronts rub when turning. Plus, you need 5lug conversion. I agree that there are better looking/performing wheel and tire combos out there though.
Those are the original TRX wheels the car was built with, or, perhaps more likely, 16″ reproductions, as tires to fit the original 390mm wheels are scarce and expensive. By 1992, they were long gone, having been available from 1979-1984.
Definitely way earlier than 92……. Try 84 and down….. love the TRX wheels on 4 eyes. Too bad they weren’t normal sizes!! 17’s would look great.
Not a big convertible guy but I’m onboard with the tasteful upgrades on this one.
Convertible + manual here 🙌
Ok so trx wheel copies that can at least have conventional tire sizes. Good deal because can you still get trx tires anymore of without getting a loan from your bank. Car itself is nice and a few mods wont hurt it.
Adding to my previous comment i remember vaguely an article in Car and Driver ? of the time that said Shelby was suing Ford because putting on GT 350 stickers on an otherwise stock Mustang cheapened his image
I am ashamed of you Jeff Lavery, and all you other guys that just want to talk about TRX wheels. No one has picked up on what this car really is. It’s a 1984 Mustang 20th Anniversary Special. So that makes it rare by itself. I do not know why FORD wanted to put GT350 in the racing stripe. Maybe just to take a jab at Carroll for working with Dodge in the mid 80s. I don’t know much about the details of these cars because I don’t like white cars with red interiors. I think all the Anniversary cars were this color combo. OK everyone, start yelling at me. I can take it.
Me and my son own a 84 GT 5.0 ho. 5 speed silver w/ flat black hood blue int. And we love it slightly quick handles very well U climb out of it feeling 16 again. And look pretty cool doing it. What more can U ask from a few thousand dollar almost race car?
Almost race car, that one made me laugh. 1984 GT had a whopping 175 horsepower. And that was the stick shift version. Automatic versions were 165. Almost race car, that’s a slow race. Now I admit you can make these cars fast, but you can make almost anything fast. I mean there is a 383 stroker powered station wagon on Barn Finds right now.
Had an 89 lx special ordered with complete Cobra drivetrain and suspension. Found this out the hard way when the trans grenaded on the freeway. Did you know the standard lx 5 speed trans won’t fit the upgraded cobra 5.0. Pulled 3 from the junkyard thinking I was losing it. Finally took what was left of my trans to my local ford dealership and made a good friend in Rio who schooled me in all things about my possibly the only one out there Mustang lx 5.0 Cobra wannabe. Fast fast. Handled like a dream but hard to find parts for and above my budget at the time. Now Rio owns it which was better for it until his storage yard burned up and not only took my Mustang but several other very nice cars with it. Road runners, Chevelles 2 dukes of Hazzard chargers and several others. That was a sad day.
Love it.
My first new car was the 1983 5.0 4speed ,bought in Jan 83 with the 700 holley. Owned car for 7 years went thru 5 heater cores and never ending trips to dealer for carburetor problems and yes the trx wheels were a nightmare you bought the mlchillen or nothing.
I had one of these in 1988, mine was very rare as it did not have A/C, power windows or locks, and was a radio delete. I’ve not seen another one like it. Mine also had the TRX wheels (14 1/2 inch). Even more rare was it was available with the T-Bird Turbo Coupe engine, it cost more than the 5.0, and less power, so not many sold. Not many of these sold due to the fact that Shelby sued Ford for using the “GT350”. Ford stopped production rather than go to court🤣😂
I assume Ford just didn’t want to spend the time fighting it for a limited edition model, but honestly Shelby didn’t have a leg to stand on with that lawsuit. Ford Motor Company took over production of the Shelby GT-350 and GT-500 cars in 1968. So Ford Motor Company and not Shelby American was the last company to produce a car with the GT-350 name before this car came out.
And before someone says they were not made at the Ford factory in 1968, yes that is correct. Ford sent the unfinished cars to the A.O.Smith company for conversion to GT-350 and GT-500. But it was all controlled by Ford and not Shelby.