Here’s an interesting specimen: this 1983 Ford Mustang doesn’t look all that desirable on paper, but for someone who is looking for a slightly obscure Fox body, it might be just the ticket. There’s a lot to like here if you can get past the fact it’s not a 5.0L V8 with a stick, from the pale yellow color to the four-eyed headlight configuration. It also appears to be an elusive GLX trim car, which gave it an extra dose of luxury after the Ghia rode off into the sunset. The Mustang is listed here on craigslist near Vancouver for $6,900. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Curvette for the tip.
For all of the Mustang experts out there, please don’t vilify me if my guess on the GLX trim turns out to be incorrect. I’m guessing the car once wore wire-style hubcaps and whitewall tires, which we’re thankful to see swapped out in exchange for classic 5-spoke GT wheels. The liftback-style body and faux vents on the C-pillar both serve to make for an attractive design that’s well-suited to the luxurious appointments inside. Despite being north of the border, the area of Richmond is generally known for more mild temperatures that are kept in check by the ocean, so I doubt this Mustang has seen much road salt in its life.
The Ghia Mustangs were purely cosmetic packages in terms of purpose, and Ford installed thicker carpeting, nicer door panels, upgraded seat upholstery, fake wood trim on the dash, and a unique steering wheel design. The GLX basically carried all of these upgrades forward, but was limited to a 2-year production run. It’s safe to say there are likely very few identical Mustangs out there in this color scheme with the GLX trim package and a 3.8L V6 under the hood. The seller adds that his car shows only 57,500 original kilometers, which works out to just under 36,000 miles.
The Mustang looks quite clean inside and out, down to the original radio still installed in the dash. The woodgrain trim, a major selling point of the GLX and the Ghia cars, also presents in as-new condition. The automatic and V6 is clearly the ideal combination for a commuter car, but that configuration also likely factored in heavily to the car never being hot-rodded or otherwise modified. The engine produced a humble 112 horsepower and 175 lb.-ft. of torque, so you aren’t going anywhere fast in this unusual GLX – but you’ll certainly be going in style.
Seats are from a base trim Mustang L, door cards appear to be same but it has that woodgrain dash and the steering wheel you’d expect on a GLX.
I suspect those new wheels are five bolts, and that mustang would have been a four stud car. Correct me if I’m wrong but how does that work?
These are the “Pony” rims, came out in 1991. These were 4 lug.
They are available, aftermarket, in 5 lug.
Jim P.
Unrelated to a Mustang but we had a 83′ Tempo GLX It was a nice package.
Me too on the Tempo. As a USAF guy 27 yrs old, wanted a ‘stang but Geico at the time equaled the car payment so got the Tempo. But this then was a should but now I could, humm.
I had an ’85 Tempo ‘Sport’, 5-speed, 2.5L I-4 I believe.
Not particularly quick, but actually a nice overall package.
looks good with the pony wheels.
Remember its a Canada car so doesn’t line up with all the US specs
There is no difference other than the speedo large markings are KM/H
I was soooo excited and then looked at the pics. Well preserved car but agree with NLPNT – seats are not what I expected and no A/C. Also agree with chuck that this might be due to its Canadian origins.
GLWTS!
I like it for the color and condition. Appears to be unmolested except for those wheels. Someone must have had plans for this car before they lost interest or ran out of money.
There is a “Mustang L” emblem on the rear hatch, also those V6 emblems on the fender look suspect, I dont remember them in the US.
Back in the late ‘80s in HS I worked as a small engine mechanic for an outdoor power equipment shop. My boss had a beautiful silver ‘83 GLX 5.0 convertible. Was a unique car even then. This one is not nearly that nice, but nice to see any GLX again.
Never knew the Mustang was offered in such a terrible color.
A couple of positives, in the color’s defense. It would not show dirt and easier to be seen on the road than a dark color. That’s important in the land of SUV’s and giant pickups.
Not a bad car for $4900 US.
Pale yellow? Sure looks tan to me.
Looks tan in the first photo and yellow in the second one.
It’s tan.
No question whatsoever.