This 1983 Ford Mustang GT ticks a few of the right boxes for anyone hunting for a project car. It is a one-owner classic that has a genuine 66,000 miles showing on its odometer. It looks like its cosmetic requirements aren’t major, meaning that returning it to its former glory could be easy and affordable. Adding to its appeal was this owner’s decision to order the car with the most desirable drivetrain combination that Ford offered in that model year. The icing on the cake is that it is cheap, which is especially important for anyone seeking a project build on a budget. We always appreciate it when our Barn Finders refer great classics to us, so I have to say a big thank you to rex m for pointing us towards the GT. It is located in Milpitas, California, and has been listed for sale here on Craigslist. You could park this diamond in the rough in your workshop for $4,800.

It’s worth noting that if the buyer wanted to drive this Mustang as an original survivor, it appears to have no issues that would prevent this. The Bright Red paint looks tired, and there’s no doubt that the entire car would benefit from a cosmetic refresh. Apart from one headlamp that would demand immediate attention due to severe deterioration, I can’t see any visible problems that would render the car unsafe or unroadworthy. The panels have collected a few repairable dings and dents, but there are no obvious signs of any rust issues. The roof has accumulated some surface corrosion, but the lack of any problems beyond this point suggests that this car is structurally sound. The center cap is missing from one wheel, but the wheels themselves appear to be in good order. The same is true of the exterior trim, while I can’t spot any problems with the glass.

This Mustang’s interior continues the car’s overall theme of being serviceable but needing work if it is to lift to the next level. The big-ticket item is undoubtedly going to be the dash pad. It looks like the San Andreas Fault, and there are a few options for buyers to consider. These range from sourcing a carpet cover for under $50 or a glue-on PVC unit to approximate the original appearance for approximately $120. The top end of the range is a replacement pad, but as the ones that I’ve located are black, someone would need to perform a color change that matched the remaining trim and plastic. At $350, they aren’t cheap, but the choice will depend on the buyer’s vision for the finished product. If I were to buy this car, I would patiently scour the online auction sites searching for parts because this interior has a few other needs. Most of the seat upholstery is good, although the driver’s seat shows some wear and early signs of seam failure. A set of replacement covers would cost $400, but some patient searching might produce rewarding results. That would also allow the buyer to locate a few pieces to replace some of the deteriorating plastic without blowing the budget.

When the owner ordered this Mustang, they decided to equip it with the 5.0-liter “HO” V8 and a 5-speed manual transmission. If you wanted a Mustang with performance credentials in 1983, this was about as good as it got. However, it is interesting to reflect on the evolution of the 5.0-liter V8 as it transitioned from the last examples of the Mustang II until we reach our feature car. The best that buyers could hope for in 1978 was a V8 that produced 139hp and sent the Mustang II through the ¼ mile in 17.1 seconds. By 1983, the power figure had jumped to 175hp, and the ¼-mile ET had been slashed to a neat 16 seconds. These were the first signs that American manufacturers were learning how to extract the best from engines saddled with tightening emission regulations, and the news would continue to get better from there. This GT runs and drives, and the owner claims it has a genuine 66,000 miles on the clock. He doesn’t indicate whether he holds verifying evidence, but it is possible since he has been the car’s sole owner since new. He says that the Mustang has been sitting for a while and that he believes it has a vacuum leak from the carburetor. Addressing this should not be difficult and is another of those little tasks that the buyer could add to their “to do” list.

This 1983 Mustang GT is one of those funny classics that occasionally appear on our desks at Barn Finds. The list of work needed is pretty long, but none of the tasks is a major undertaking in itself. Rather, this is a restoration project comprised of many little jobs, which can be an important consideration in certain circumstances. I have seen rookies attempt to tackle major projects, and it is common for them to throw in the towel because they find the entire process overwhelming. In reality, they should have been seeking this type of project as a first build. They could pick one task, complete it, and step back with a sense of satisfaction as the survey a job well done. If that task doesn’t pan out as anticipated, it is one single aspect of the build that they can always tackle for a second time utilizing the knowledge that they gained from the first attempt. Success builds success, and confidence will grow as larger and more complex tasks are undertaken. That is what this Mustang GT offers potential buyers, and if you are considering a first project build, this has to be worthy of serious consideration.