After years of purchasing projects that needed both cosmetic and mechanical restoration, I’ve learned that you should definitely try to find endeavours that only involve one or the other. This 1985 Ford Mustang SVO is a bone dry and bone stock project that appears to be mechanically complete with a very tidy interior, but it’s clearly in need of a paint job. However, considering it has low mileage and looks like a straightforward reburb otherwise, this seems like a project that’s worthy of the undertaking to bring it back to life. Find this 1985 SVO here on eBay with bids to just over $3,000 with the reserve unmet.
The SVO has fluctuated a bit between being a sought-after machine and just another project car, and it seems there’s still some room for this turbo Ford to appreciate. It’s instantly recognizable with its flat-face wheels and bi-plane rear spoiler, along with the distinctive headlight design. The SVO offered pony car enthusiasts an alternative to the brawn and muscle of a 5.0L-equipped Fox body, and although it doesn’t make the same kinds of noises, the tuning potential is just as good as a V8 powered car if not slightly better via the aftermarket. The seller notes his example remains completely stock, and the flush headlamps tell you this is likely a 1985.5 example that came with a nice power boost.
Now, here’s a big surprise: I would expect given the exterior that the interior would be completely roached. Not so, as the bucket seats are in excellent condition and the rest of the cabin is far from a lost cause. The seller notes that the mileage on the odometer of just 34K is believed to be original, and the interior condition certainly bears that out. It has been stored indoors since 2010, which is another reason for the impressive preservation on display inside. You would absolutely expect a car that looks like this one on the outside to have foam spilling out of the seats and cracks across the dash, but even with the not-great photos of the dash top through the windshield, I don’t massive carnage.
Another fun detail? The desirable Marchal fog lamps retain their famously brittle (and expensive) covers, which are almost always destroyed by errant rocks. As mentioned above, in 1985, the flush headlamps usually indicated a bump in power, rising from 175 to 205. Now, it’s always possible that the front end was damaged and the later headlights swapped on, but I’m going to stick with the assessment that this car – given its relatively un-messed with condition – is a 1985.5 model with the bevy of factory upgrades that nudged the output upwards. Overall, this is a very deserving project that would appear to be fairly close to being a turnkey driver with a clean gas tank, a tune-up, and a proper paint job.
I assume some will look at the (lack of) paint and assume this is a high-mileage car. Maybe it is, but it very well could be a legit low-mileage car. More, and better, interior pics would help. The engine looks dry, which would fit the description of long-storm storage.
I’m just thinking about how bad the Ford (and others?) silver paint was during this era. It seems like it just went away, and when it was gone, the rust logically enough soon started. My in-laws had a Fairmont Futura which would have looked like this had they not had it repainted (when it was about five years old).
After a nice paint job one might end up with a cool SVO for not much money.
Thank you Jeff.
I totally agree with you Bob. This could very well be a legit low mileage SVO.I also agree about the silver paint. It wasn’t only Ford, but GM and Chrysler too, silver, and that light silver blue color is another one that comes mind as well. I always wondered if the same supplier was used by all of the big three? Just a thought.
This is when they took lead base out of paints and you are correct, every brand had issues trying to come up with a good product. Took years for sure!
Bob, it’s probably an “as stated mileage vehicle”. The exposure to UV rays looks evident from the top down. The wheels are untouched by corrosion. I had these wheels on my 86′ SVO and they could be a bugger to keep clean at times. You see, they had a ” brushed” finish v. a polished finish as in the coating on 92-96 Bronco Alcoas. Now, about the paint—it wouldn’t surprise me that the original paint was scant on the FoMoCo products from the 80’s to the mid-90’s had factory paint defects. I had five (5) Ford vehicles from 1982 to 1996, and they all had either minimal coating, overspray, or some other type of paint defect.
This looks like my kind of fun driver. Good bones while not winning the car show for best paint.
Is everybody, including the seller, forgetting if it’s a stick or slush box?
I think I see a corner of a manual shift boot in photo #11, so I’m guessing this is a manual.
Yes, Bill, they were ALL five (5) speeds. Well, my 86′ SVO was, at least
It’s a stick. There were no automatic SVOs.
If this has the intercooler then the horsepower rating makes sense. I like it. It wouldn’t make sense but I’d like to drop a 2.3 liter crate engine from the new Mustang into it. I can dream can’t I?
I’ve owned 2 of these. Really fun cars to drive. The 85 1/2 cars did have the aero headlamps, but they were a direct bolt in if you wanted to
Upgrade your earlier car. The intake manifold is wrong for a late ‘85, in fact, I can’t remember for sure, but I believe the early ‘85s didn’t use this intake, either. The one on this car is an ‘83-84 style.
All SVOs were 5 speeds.
These weren’t bad looking cars, at least until you get an eyeful of that dual spoiler in the back. Seriously, the car couldn’t possibly go fast enough to actually need that thing so why add it? A simple lip back there would have served the same purpose and looked a lot more tasteful. You have to give Ford credit in creating the SVO because at that time automobiles were still suffering from the “malaise”, but some of the styling was over the top.
Actually the rear spoiler would start pushing the car down at about 90 MPH and it was VERY noticeable. You will be upside down on this car if purchased at $3,000 (still hasn’t met reserve), assuring there isn’t any mechanical issue! I wouldn’t touch this car
Man, these EBay sellers with their low mileage claims really crack me up.
All you have to do is click on the Vehicle History tab that THEY provide to reveal that they are full of grass growing stuff that smells.
“Last Reported Odometer: 99,602 (11/15/2003)”
So funny!
Not a fan of the Ford 2.3 I4. Mine threw a rod at 95K miles. Apparently a design flaw of that motor.
Another item no one mentioned is the 85.5 SVO got the dual exhaust tips, one on each side. I don’t believe the 85.5 had to have a third brake lite in the spoiler, not until 1986.