If you’ve been looking for something more recently minted than a 1960s classic but still collectible, you might want to check out this 1986 Ford SVO Mustang. The tip on this one came from Mitchell G. It’s available here on craigslist somewhere near the Jersey Shore, in Point Pleasant, NJ to be precise. The price? $11,500 as the ask. Where would you go with the numbers to make this car yours? Partly, that depends upon how you feel about the looks balanced over against the collectability.
The SVO was a Mustang with tech, a turbo-charged car in an era when that was exotic. The idea was to maneuver the original Pony Car into a more European space. Somewhat fewer than 10,000 such cars were manufactured over the three-year period from 1984-86, and then Ford went back to spending its time improving the already-good GT, which was finally emerging from the choked-down world of the 1970s smog regulations. So if you want something niche, this might be it, though it’s not an aesthetic masterpiece, to many eyes. You’re just going to have to live with that funky biplane spoiler, and the rather plain Jane wheels. Then there’s the offset front air inlet. This was functional, of course, directing air to the intercooler.
So if an SVO is in your future, should it be this SVO? The car has moderate mileage, at just about 62,000. The interior looks more worn than that, with a split in the driver’s seat and wear to the passenger’s perch. Fixable, but signs of use. The body looks decent, though there’s no word as to the provenance of the paint, so let’s assume it’s original. The engine is an incredible rat’s nest of componentry, wires, and hoses. But they’re there because they’re there, and nothing wrong with that, though it can’t be easy to service under-hood mechanical bits. It’s also notable that you’re not lifting the hood at a show with things in this condition. The opposite of that is that you could up the value of the car by taking all of that stuff and giving it a good detailing.
This is one of those survivors that has historical gravity, and thus should be saved, but in the condition it’s presented in, you’re going to have to make a big leap to get it to show-car status. Then again, maybe that’s not everyone’s goal. Maybe, you’d find it amusing to have a car for everyday use that isn’t going to be seen coming and going. In that case, maybe give the current owner a try. How far below ten grand do you dare open at?
In an era of carburated (mostly) Mustang’s this one stood out as the european flavored edition with efi, turbo, better suspension components, 5 lug wheels and a few other things. This one though needs some if not lot’s of t.l.c. the inside needs a good cleaning and although the seats need professional help you can easily tackle a good shampoo job if not replace the carpeting while the seats are out as a good week end project. Engine compartement also a good afternoon of scrubbing and paint will bring it back to very nice. If after a good inspection the body is sound and powerplant too this could be a great buy and stand out of the crowd at the nearest cars and coffee
Point Pleasant, NJ is right on the ocean with lots of salty air. Thoroughly check the frame.
Don’t forget to check the shock towers
“Plain Jane wheel covers?” Some basic research before penning the article is always a good idea. These are model specific 16″ SVO only aluminum rims.
I think he just means they look somewhat Plain Jane, even thought they are SVO specific equipment.
I just watched an episode of “Junkyard Empire” update one just like this one. They appeared to do quite a bit of work to make it run and drive and it appeared to be a reliable automobile 🚗 when finished.
You can still find very nice examples of this car in this price range that needs nothing. This car is grossly over priced for what it needs that is visible. This car is either 161k miles or had a rough life. The SVO was manufactured 1984 – 1986, the 1986 model didn’t have a turbo lag like the previous two models
Always loved the looks of these SVO’s. But, as far as bang for the buck? The GT was the way to go. Good luck with the sale.
This car is not even worth the asking price! It definitely needs a restoration n looks like a 2 on a scale of 1 to ten. The owner is truly trying to make a killing in the worst economy on the planet. I’d give a grand n leave it at that. Buying a 5.0 V8 Fox body would be a much better buy that this euro trash garbage that Ford should have never attempted building!
Always loved the looks of these SVO’s. But for bang for the buck? You couldn’t beat the GT. Good luck with the sale.
Those aren’t wheel covers there rims my friend and the spoiler in the back looks fine to me u sure are picky nothing wrong with it just been driven alot that’s what it’s meant for not to just sit there and look at it
Those are not wheel covers.
Those are not wheel covers.
These photos look odd. I swear they were taken through glass. Photos of old framed photos? Smells like a bunch of bull to me.
White paint 🎨 looks good on all model yrs of the Mustang 👌 😎
I’ve never seen a white SVO. They have all been either black or grey but I’d guess white was available. That interior looks more like 160,000 miles. I always liked the SVO, especially the switch for high or low octane fuel.
I have a white 86. I only paid about $5500 for mine about 4 years ago in a little better condition.
These looked very cool 😎, but we’re a total flop,unfortunately they are not very fast,hmmmm, maybe that’s why quit making them.
Well Brian, I’m guessing you know very little about Ford specialty cars of the early 1980s. The SVO was the best of the best for a FAST, daily driver for 84, 85, 86. Not everyone had to have a 500HP V8. Those are not hub caps, they are SVO only five bolt wheels, and a ‘rats nest of wires and cables’? I see a distributor, 2 or 3 vacuum lines going to the intercooler, that’s about it. And a ‘funky biplane spoiler’. It just says ‘SVO’ to me. Have you ever seen the spoiler on a 1970 Dodge Daytona? I’m sure those are the coolest for you.
I’m sure you never driven a Turbo powered Mustang or Thunderbird Turbo Coupe. It’s not for everyone, you can’t win every race off the stop light, but I can have more fun driving my 1987 Turbo Coupe than that Camry driver.
While working at a Ford store in the 80s I was able to drive a demo of my choice and the T Bird Turbo coupe was my favorite.
It feels light and nimble. With the excellent 5 speed manual, it is really fun car to drive.
I was general manager at a Ford store in the 80’s. To promote the SVO Mustang, Ford held a dealer event at Pocono Racetrack. Lucky participants,including myself, got to ride shotgun for hot laps with Lynn St. James. She was driving Fords for Roush at the time.
We had to sign a waiver and wear a helmet. She took me through the banking and down the straight at well over a hundred.
She was very gracious and friendly. I remember looking at the size of her forearms as she drove the track.
Lyn St. James was racing XR4Ti’s at the time, with WAY modded 2.3 turbo engines!
Yes, Checking the record, she drove a heavily modified Merkur in ‘88 at Sebring and placed second in class.
The year before she drove a Mustang with co driver Tom Gloy in the 1987 twelve hour event.
I would be looking at the size of other things I think!
Wheels On the SVO were 16 in. A year before Corvette. The 2.3l turbo engine came within 5-15 hp. Of the 350 cu. In. Engine in the vette as well and was hundreds of pounds lighter with a more european suspension. With only 60k on it ( or is it 160k the speedos dont read 100,000k) this car has been used. But they were a harbinger of things to come as the modern 315 hp. 2.3 proves. I have an even rarer Model the GT Turbo that with smaller injectors and no intercooler only made 145 hp same as an 82 Camaro 305. Ive restored mine and restomoded it with a 340rwhp 2.3 lima engine. These cars are worth a look stock or modified.
So many people only know about about the 5.0 GT and not how special (the “S” in SVO) these vehicles were.
Compared to the GT, these were not slow and handled much much better.
The person who bought this car was not in the market for a GT. These were on a completely different tier – more of a sports car that you could track if you wanted to.
The closest I came to owning one was a Merkur XR4Ti. It had the same 2.3 turbo but non-intercooled. That car ran and handled nicely, but would not hold a candle to an SVO.
Best “EFF-U Feds” 85mph speedo.
In 88 I had this car in silver .
First thing to go were those cheesy
Mercedes’ knock off wheels.
Then the bi plane was next to be replaced with a GT spoiler, Anybody remember the upper wing sagging and vibrating ?
Otherwise a great capable car.
Love the 78 Z/28 hood scoop, that’s how I first noticed these cars was by the hood catching my attention.