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Rare Anniversary Model: 1984 Ford Mustang GT350

It seems some manufacturers can’t help but make too much of a good thing, as the commemorative Fox body Mustang GT350 goes to show us. This is a 1984 Ford Mustang 20th Anniversary edition, otherwise known as a GT350 in name only. Ford built these in limited quantities with a very specific color scheme, and while there’s no denying there aren’t many running around, the following for them has been muted at best. Outside of the Mustang II Cobra offering, I don’t think another Mustang product has so rankled the pony car faithful. Find this 41,000 mile example here on craigslist for $10,500.

5,261 20th Anniversary models were built, all wearing Wimbledon White paint with Canyon Red cloth interiors. The thing is, the 20th Anniversary packaging would have stood on its own just fine – Ford didn’t need to incur the wrath of Carroll Shelby by also pillaging the GT350 name. In fact, this so pissed off ‘ol Carroll that he launched a lawsuit against Ford, as while he did sell the rights to the Cobra name, the GT350 moniker wasn’t part of the deal. I’m not sure how the lawsuit shook out, as Ford has certainly used this branding since then, but between that friction and the lack of performance enhancements that would otherwise make it worthy of the name, the 20th Anniversary models haven’t become instant collector’s items.

Still, that didn’t stop plenty of collectors from hoarding them. The engine options were the same as the standard-issue model, including the turbocharged four cylinder and venerable 5.0L V8. The rest of the packaging was far from exotic, but it was still a well-optioned car. Lots of power features (including a power top on the convertible models), Marchal driving lamps, Traction-Lok rear end, air conditioning, and a tilt wheel, among other convenience features. The Mustang’s main claim to fame in this form is the limited production, as it’s not like you couldn’t built a car the exact same way – I always wonder how many non-expert buyers grabbed one of these thinking it was a genuine Shelby car.

While this Mustang rides on convention wheels and tires, it left the factory wearing the ill-fated TRX setup. It’s too bad this style never took off, as I always loved this wheel design. The good news is popular Mustang parts company LMR has made a replica design using traditional tire sizing, so you can keep the factory look without shelling out crazy money for new rubber every time tires need replacing. The “Cobra” badge on the rear spoiler is an oversight, but certainly easily remedied with a hair dryer and a razor. This 20th Anniversary edition is a desirable manual transmission example, so it does check the essential boxes if you’ve been looking for one of these rare Fox bodies.

Comments

  1. Avatar Bob_in_TN Member

    As Jeff points out, these have never really caught on as “specialty” models. That said, it is an attractive package. With the rise in Fox Body interest and prices, it doesn’t really matter, it can stand on its other merits (5.0, manual, sounds good, respectable performance, easy to maintain, still not very expensive). This looks to be a good example, at a good price….. and no surprise, the ad is already gone.

    Like 7
    • Avatar HAMMOND HAIGS

      Starting the second part of a comment with “That said” is just so last
      year.

      Blech

      Like 0
  2. Avatar CCFisher

    When the 1987 Mustang GT was introduced, ads and road tests usually featured a white GT with red trim, which looked like a more aggressive version of this car. Add in the updated 225 HP 5.0 HO, and everybody forgot about the ’84 20th anniversary car.

    Like 3
  3. Avatar Stan

    Jeff…. good write up, but could you always please include the very important information of the vehicles final drive axle ratio. The rear gear.

    Thanks very much.

    Like 2
    • Avatar man ' war

      My ’90 Mustang LX with a 2.3 turbo transplant has a 3.45 rear differential. Does alright. Can even squeal tires a bit with right conditions.

      Like 0
      • Avatar Man War

        Sold my 90 Mustang last year. After having it run for 10 miles or more then it would not want to stay running. I sold it for 3,500. Next owner was a tuner. He said it had a crack in the exhaust manifold. He fixed it, and said he wanted to get it to above 400 hp. Sometimes I fix them; sometimes I don’t.

        Like 0
  4. Avatar Tiberius1701

    ..and it’s gone….

    Like 1
  5. Avatar JCA Member

    I think collectors know this is just a nice early fox body with a sticker package. It’s more along the lines of indifference. This indifference is way different than how people feel about the Mustang II Cobra or any Mustang II for that matter. I’ll always take the worst fox body model over the best Mustang II model any time.

    Like 2
  6. Avatar Jan Hanratty

    The exterior color is NOT Wimbledon White it’s Oxford White which is a brighter white than Wimbledon. Wimbledon White is on the cre side.
    I own a 20th anniversary convertible, had it since 1985 bought it with 3300 miles.

    Like 2
    • Avatar Regina Bridges

      Yes. Oxford white. Mine is 19 in production convertible

      Like 0
  7. Avatar Travis Wheeler

    I actually have one but the engine is different. Still FORD though.

    Like 0

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