I have always liked the looks of these cars. I don’t know if it is the wheels, the rear spoiler or the offset hood scoop but they are unique. While not fast by muscle car or modern car standards, they draw attention. This 1984 Ford Mustang SVO is located in Canton, Georgia. It is listed here on eBay for $15,890 as a classified ad not an auction. The seller states that it is a nice, original and unrestored Ford Mustang SVO with only 54k miles. It is being sold by a dealer.
This 1984 Ford Mustang SVO represents the first year of production of this unique car. Ford produced less than 10,000 SVO Mustangs from 1984 to 1986. The car set itself apart because of, not only its turbocharged engine, but its looks. It has a special front end, spats in front of the rear tires and a functional offset hood scoop. I am not sure if other interior colors were available but surely gray is the most popular. This example looks to be clean and well taken care of. The dash is solid and the seller states that everything works including the factory boost gauge in the dash.
All SVO Mustangs were equipped with an intercooled turbocharged 2.3 liter inline 4 cylinder engine that was rated at 175 hp from the factory. That might not seem like much but in the early to mid 1980’s that was respectable. The SVO was equipped with a Garrett AiResearch T03 turbo, fuel injection and an air to air intercooler. I believe that this is the same engine used in the Ford Thunderbird. The engine is mated to a Borg Warner T-5 manual transmission. It is said that the engine weighed about 200 lbs less than the Ford 5.0 liter V8. From the factory, the city miles per gallon was rated at 17 mpg and on the highway the rating increased to 24 mpg.
SVO is an acronym for “Special Vehicle Operations” and was the result of Ford’s efforts to create special versions of its different cars in the 1980s. With three pedals and air conditioning, this car has looks, comfort and sporty fun. Do you think this is a good price for a 1984 Ford Mustang SVO?
We see an SVO every so often here at Barn Finds. SVO enthusiasts typically prefer the 1985.5 and 1986 models, with their increase in horsepower, the aero headlights, and other tweaks. But this looks like a nice example of a 1984. Lots of them were trashed so seeing a well-kept one is a treat.
I sometimes wonder about the internal discussions at Ford in the early 80’s. There was the “The Boss Is Back” emphasis on the 5.0 which started in 1982, while not much later came the Euro-inspired SVO effort. We can look back and see how the 5.0 effort took root and gained strength, while the SVO lasted only three years.
But consider this: what two powertrains are available on new Mustangs? High horsepower V8, and turbo 4 cylinder. So in a sense, both powertrains “won.”
Thank you Bruce.
I agree with Bob, this looks like a very well preserved SVO. I may be of the minority here, but I’m going to say it. I didn’t see too many of these when they were new. And when I did see one, it was kind of special. GTs were plentiful, but not these. When I would get a chance to see one I’d be like WOW!!! An SVO. Now again, I was in my teens, maybe in the minority here, but they were kind of special to see. I went to school with a guy with turbo Coupe with a 5 speed. I’m not going to say it was super fast, but it was definitely quick for what it was, I can image the Mustang being smalller and lighter it must’ve been a bit quicker. This looks like a great find.
The current 2.3 base Mustang produces some serious HP and TQ. Unfortunately Ford kaiboshed the manual transmission on it. Bizarre move, and a disgraceful slap in the face to the driving enthusiasts.
Likely because they sold very few in that combination. I look at it from the other side of the coin: I’m glad Ford still offers a V8/ manual transmission in the current Mustang. I hope to get one someday, before this combination goes away too.
Bob, maybe so, but still very disappointing to base model buyers who can’t afford the wonderful Coyote 5.0.
Amazing that a few years later the naturally aspirated 2.3l Quad-4 had more hp than this turbo 2.3l. (But I’m sure it made a lot more noise doing it)
Love the quad 4 but honestly, the 2.3 quad 4 in 86 produced 150hp/160lb ft. The slowest year for the SVO was in 84 and it produced 175hp/210lb ft. The difference in zero to sixty wasn’t much, the Olds ran 7.6 when tested and the SVO 7.5. However, the Olds eclipsed the quarter in 16.6, while the 84 SVO covered the same ground in 15.5 (with spin). By 86, the SVO had 200hp/240lb ft and was below 7 seconds for the 0-60 and ran through the quarter in 15.1. Pretty decent for the day. Both were great but in different ways.
Looks like a nice car and priced well priced!
Merkur XR4Ti: Same engine in a different package.
You can’t give one of those away, but these hold their value. Just goes to show what packaging can do.
Fox Mustang = parts availability
Merkur = limited and expensive parts availability.
That was the greatest disappointment car ever and to use the name “Mustang” almost destroyed that name for ever.
Really? What about the new Mach-E? I think it takes the cake.
🎯 Jesse
I remember when this car showed up. If you look up the story of how the Mustang production was almost stopped in the early ’80s, and this was the vehicle that started another wave of enthusiasm. I had read that that the correspondence from Mustang fans was pretty salty and that the Ford Motor guys really got an earful from the passionate Mustang fans. I had a 65 and I loved that car and I was so glad when I saw the SVO ignite another fire for the little pony. Imagine what we would have lost, with the current Mustang that is available now. Too bad that something like that couldn’t have happened for the Olds and Pontiac fans.