The option to get into an affordable project car more often than not requires making a few sacrifices. You can buy in at the very bottom and take on the responsibility of bringing a car all the way back from the brink, which is often the cheapest point of entry, or you can spend a few bucks more and get a car that has had some of this preliminary project work completed. This 1985 Ford Mustang SVO is in the latter category, which hopefully means you’re going to save yourself some headaches by taking advantage of some work already being done. Find the SVO here on craigslist for $6,500.
That’s a pretty reasonable point of entry for anything desirable these days, especially a car that isn’t terribly rusty. This Mustang SVO looks largely un-messed with, and I love details like the original selling dealer badge still affixed to the liftgate. The SVO is the unloved muscle car in Ford’s 1980s lineup, and after a brief run-up in prices when everything from the 1980s got white-hot, the SVO has settled back down and is more or less available for the same money as in the pre-COVID market. The seller notes that his car is recently inspected but still a project.
That’s not because he hasn’t throw a bunch of money at it; hardly. The listing notes numerous improvements of both the cosmetic and mechanical kind, including a new dash pad, carpet, headliner, and leather seat coverings for both the front and rear seats. The interior is a big surprise in a car that looks somewhat tired on the outside, and I give the seller credit for taking on this interior refurb – it definitely increases the eyeball appeal. The SVO cockpit is always a great place to spend time, thanks to the shifter that meets your hand in exactly the right spot and the deep bolstering of those bucket seats.
Mechanically, the seller has addressed many of the common SVO weak spots, such as replacing the Koni shocks with new units and installing Eibach lowering springs at the same time. Other improvements include new polyurethane bushings in the rear control arms, along with a new radiator, fan motor, and starter. The 1985 SVO produced 175 horsepower, and this example likely falls just shy of that cut-off when Ford bumped the power a bit in the 1985.5 models, often denoted by their flush-mount headlights. This looks like a great starting point for a project, and one with some heavy lifting already done. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Mitchell G. for the find.
Does it have an interference engine?
I am pretty sure it is a none interference engine
Non-interferance engine. The suspension spring rates and sway bars are different than the GT cars.Replacing the Koni shocks with Bilstein units make this car a very nice ride and handling car. I never understood the softer suspension and then kill the ride with the Konis. Yes, I know that the Konis are adjustable. But by the time the ride is good, the control isn’t there. This is naturally my opinion. But having driven many of these and owning a 1984 SVO I feel somewhat justified in my opinion. Since this car lives in the “salt belt” besides rockers, quarters and seat mountings. There needs to be an inspection of the trunk floor right behind the tail lights. Tap with a lug wrench, hammer, etc. for a non-solid retort. I have seen many from the salt belt that looked good, but this is an area overlooked and very expensive to repair. It requires lifting up the trunk mat, and on the driver’s lifting up the spare tire cover to access that area. These are fun cars and realitivly cheap to keep.
I needed a car and wanted an SVO in late 85. Went to the Ford dealer for a test drive. They had an 85 (flush headlamps) on the lot. Salesman asked if I’d ever driven a turbo car before. I had not and told him. At around 10mph he told me to step on it so I did. For half a second it was like we were sitting there waiting for something. And then something kicked in. Whoosh! My first experience with turbo lag. And this car had it in spades! Two months later, salesman calls to say they have an 86 on the lot. I had read the lag had been tamed. Took it for a test drive and what a difference. Lag was almost completely gone. The 86 was considerably more expensive than the 85 (or they were just trying to get rid of the 85 earlier?). I told him I liked the new turbo but the price jump was too much. He steered me to a 5spd TurboCoupe. I took it out and bought it on the spot. Not quite as powerful but, no lag, handled nice, more room, more luxurious and fewer bucks! I kept the ‘Bird for several years with very few problems.
Still, wish I’d gotten that 86 SVO.
mick, you should have bought the 86′ SVO. I drove a 85′ SVO, meh. I teetered on buying a 86′ GT. Great price, but everybody had one. My buddy was the GM at the Ford store and suggested I try the 86′ SVO. I did. I bought it. Never regretted it .
Ablediver out
An 85.5 or 86 was an entirely different car than the 84/85. Way stronger bottom end, along with the new EEC4 electronic system that made bypassing the wastegate regulator as easy as unplugging one electric coupler, and looping the hoses on the side of the turbo. Managing the boost is what Supertrapp mufflers were for. Add the right amount of plates so the peak is no more than 20 lbs, run a short gear to eliminate lag, and go like hell!! (I installed an ’86 SVO drivetrain into a German Mk1 Capri that was a Twin Cities autocross legend all through the 80’s and 90’s!!)