When it comes to buying a car made in large quantities, it’s important to look for the granular details that help set your car apart from the rest. In the case of a Fox body Mustang, that can be quite challenging. This 1983 model is what we call a “four-eyed” variant which adds to the novelty factor, but it’s also a GT-spec car with the manual gearbox, which definitely makes it a standout. Find it here on Facebook Marketplace for $7,000.
Mileage is under 80,000, so it has some life left in it, even if the paint looks fairly tired. That could just be dirt as well, as it looks like this Mustang hasn’t moved in some time. The old-school collector plates indicate it’s been retired from daily use for some time, but the fact that it’s in Wisconsin makes me wonder about the undersides. Hopefully, it’s been used as a seasonal driver, which the low-ish mileage would seem to confirm.
The interior is so-so, with the seats in good shape but the carpets looking pretty grimy. The dashboard has a crack and it looks like some of the switches have been pulled out of the driver’s side door panel. The old-school three-spoke steering wheel is a favorite of mine and of course, you love seeing the manual gearbox in one of these. The carpets could easily be replaced and some period-correct sisal floor mats sourced to class up the interior a bit.
The gauge cluster is another sign that this is an older-model Fox body, and like the SVO that it shares much of its components with, I generally like this era of Mustang more so than the one that emerged in the late 80s and stuck around through the early 90s. I’m sure this car will look far better with fresh paint and an interior, but it could also be driven with pride with just a freshened up cabin and perhaps a mild lowering kit to tighten up the gap in the fender wells. Would you restore a four-eyed Fox?
Interesting that you highlight the steering wheel and dash because I don’t think they are from an ’83. This one is from an ’85 or ’86. The ’83 dash doesn’t have the fake Allen head screws heads either like you see in the pic. Also, an ’83 doesn’t have separated dual exhausts like this car has. I think this car may be an ’85 or ’86 with an ’83 nose. If it’s fuel injected, then it’s definitely an ’86.
Actually an ’86 would have had the luggage rack on the trunk to hold the 3rd brake light so this may be an ’85
I agree with your assessment 100%. In school one of my best friends had an 83 GT with T-tops. I had an 84 LX shortly thereafter. Dual exhaust started in 85. The gauges and steering are definitely not 83-84. The horizontal slots in the nose grill are 83-84, though. 85-86 had the elongated oval opening. Big red flag on this one.
Too many mismatched parts to be a real 83 GT. No flat black center hood with the added blister, no GT decals above the 5.0 fender badges or trunk lip, 85 or 86 instrument cluster. Odd in 83 only the door windows were power, rears you had to roll up. This is probably a cobbled up GLX. My mom’s last car, when she retired, was a white 85 GT convertible, black top with the grey waffle (?) cloth seats with the red piping, the seat front extender, and the square halo headrests. GT was embossed into the rub strip just behind the doors, had a decal on the right trunk lip corner, and was cut out to the body color in the center flat black on the hood. Had the Marchal fog/driving lights below the bumper (just try to find those!)with the 85 optional fuel injection and 4 speed overdrive automatic
In addition to the instrument cluster and steering wheel being from a later model Stang, the hood is incorrect for an ’83 GT. Wheels of course are ’87-’90 GT turbines. Manual transmission in an ’83 could be either a 4 speed or a 5 speed and the ad does not specify which. Seats appear to be standard ’83 GL/GLX/GT buckets. The optional GT Sport Performance seats were nicer, with better bolstering and the “halo” headrests.
I’m not 100% but I am pretty sure that is an 83-84 hood, probably from an LX. My memory is not what it used to be but I thought the center ‘ripple’ was taller in the GTs to have a fake cowl induction look. Does that sound right?
This is one of the times where I really appreciate the community. I look at this and think, wow, decent mustang, reasonable price. Not being a mustang guy, you all are pointing out that it may not be as much of a bargain due to the Frankenstein effect. That’s pretty cool.
There were less than 1000 83 gt conv built. Look it up. This has fake written all over it.
Having an 89 LX V8 5 speed an several others over time. This car looks tired, even in the photos. The paint looks thick, like puddling. I cannot tell but the early convertibles had manual rear windows only and power just in the front doors, which I never liked. I would pass if your a novice because this car appears to hide lots and shows many hodgepodges. So at 7k look elsewhere I think you will be happier.
Just get the VIN from the owner, that’ll tell you what you want to know. If Seller won’t supply the VIN (I’ve met a few of those), run away.
I believe those tail lights are from later models also. 85 or 86.
Same taillights 83-86. I had an 84 LX, one of my best friends in high school had an 83 GT and they looked the same as I recall. The nose and interior changed between 83/84 and 85/86.
Yeah, this one would be a chance, but at the asking price it could be a lot of cheap top down fun.
It’s been listed for 11 weeks, so there is probably something questionable about the car’s running condition, but the seller might be willing to swing a deal to get rid of it.
I recall there were only 49 1983 Ford Mustang GT CONVERTIBLES produced.
I love the 4 headlights and those wheels on this Fox body style is sharp!
I see some potential here even if there are some replaced parts, etc. Maybe it’s time for someone to call a spade a spade and make a lowball offer on this Frankencar, if that’s what it is. It gets cold here in Wis. and the guy might want it out of the way before the snow flies.
My high school friend’s Mom had a similar one but w/ the 4-banger. She drove around w/ tires balder than I am now… not sure why b/c they could afford nice things.
PS- this BarnFind is brought to you by… Lothar… of the Hill People!
No more credit for finding these cars Jeff Lavery? It’s fun for us to see our “screen names” on the site. Just sayin’.
I agree, Lothar. More often than not, my name never appears on the finds. Especially with Jeff.
It’s unfortunate that we can’t see the rear seat area. 1983 Mustang convertibles equipped with power windows had manual windows in the rear. This is the only year with the power front/manual rear combo.