It’s a no-brainer that just about any third-generation Mustang with a V8 stuffed under the hood is a desirable Fox body. However, one of the lesser-known performance offerings from this period is the SVO, which used turbo power to compensate for the lack of cubic inches. These cars are kind of rare too, as during its three years of production from 1984-86, less than 10,000 were made. This first-year model would benefit from some moderate cosmetic attention, but it’s been owned by a retired mechanic for the past seven years and has only been driven a total of 58,222 miles over four decades.
In 1980, Ford formed a new division to look after motorsports-related affairs for the brand, which was known as Special Vehicle Operations, or SVO for short. Its mission also included taking the developed racing technology and incorporating it into performance-oriented production vehicles, with the Mustang SVO becoming the only U.S. model to wear the name. The fuel-injected turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder produced a respectable 175 HP during its first year-and-a-half of production, although that number went up for the second half, peaking at 205 for the mid-year 1985.5 offering. The seller tells us recent maintenance here includes a new timing belt and tensioner, new fuel pumps, fluid changes, and a new valve cover gasket.
The paint is original, although the seller says the finish is very thin after all the years of being polished. A few rust issues are also mentioned, but fortunately, most of it is stated to be on the surface, including the right front fender, left quarter panel, and lower lip section of the rear hatch. Another area pointed out is underneath the driver’s door, but the owner thinks it will be easy to repair here. Some excellent news is that the rustproofed platform is stated to remain as solid as when the car was new.
Little is specifically noted regarding the interior, other than the space-saving spare tire in the rear section has never been on the ground. However, from what I can tell, the inside components seem to still be in decent condition overall and reflect what I’d hope the inside of a vehicle with this kind of age plus mileage should look like. This one is located in Sidney Center, New York, and can be spotted here on eBay, where the opening bid of $7,500 has yet to be placed, at least not at the time of this writing. What are your thoughts on this turbocharged 1984 Ford Mustang SVO, and what’s a reasonable amount to spend on it?
Bought a used ‘86 SVO back in the day. Peppy acceleration,but my buddy’s ‘86 GT was faster. Mine had an intermittent fast idle that I spent $$ trying to get fixed but to no avail. I had no idea those Gatorback tires were going to be so expensive to replace,even with an off brand. In the end I cut my losses and sold it.
Neat cars these SVO Chris. Much prefer the flush headlamps on the later models like yours. Oddly the flush lites on the 87 and up Mustangs never appealed as much as the 4-eye Foxes to me.
These are a respectable effort when there still was a concern that V8 powerplants could be going away, and that a Euro-themed turbo four model could be the future. They haven’t really had the same collector interest (or prices) of its Fox platform V8 brethren. But they do serve as something different for Fox fans of the era. The 1984 models like this one aren’t as popular as the 1986’s which have more power and the more-attractive aero headlights, so this could be a bargain.
Underappreciated of all the fox platform stangs. I’ll take 2.
While well equipped for their time but having European influence was expensive. The 5.0 was faster and cheaper and therefore more appealing. That and more familiar. Adapting to technology is a process. Our small local Ford dealership had one. Must have been an allocation. Didn’t sell right away.
Cool. I’m a Mustang guy since childhood. But I spanked every one I ever ran with my 85 GT, 86 GT, and 90 GTs!
SVOs were cool, but slow as turtles in the wild!
Funny they put 5 lug wheels on the 4 banger and 4 lug wheels on the v8. On road courses the camaro would spank the mustang as the 4 lug wheels would flex and warp in the hard turns.most of these turbo cars got bought just for the rear end and front to change over the v8 cars to 5 lugs.and the rest scrapped. Was this the same engine as the turbo coupe t bird had? There was one of those here that would blow away big blocks back in the day.
Here we go again. If you have to beat every camera off the line when you go out cruising, do not buy a 4-cylinder turbo. If you just want a great driving experience on some country road, a SVO would be nice, or a Turbo Coupe. Yes Micky, the SVO used the same 2.3 litre 4-cylinder (old Pinto engine) as the 1983 and up Turbo Coupe. What FORD learned from the Mustang SVO went into the 1987 Turbo Coupe. Intercooled, 4-wheel discs, sport suspension and 5 lug wheels, which SVO team just borrowed all the 5 lug parts from a Lincoln, from what I remember. I don’t know who would buy a SVO just for the lug nuts when you can buy 5 lug conversion kits for your Mustang for a lot less. If you just want a quarter mile beast, do not buy a 4-cylinder turbo. Your welcome.
There were not any cheap conversions back when the car was current. Wheel conversions are a more recent thing. .as far as the pinto motor people run them at 400-600 hp and they hold together.
They weren’t slow. And if you cranked up the boost a few pounds, they downright flew! If you so desired, you could make a 2.5L with HD internals and some head work like Roush did and really have a beast! They handled better than a GT also, Koni shocks and struts , increased spring rates and the aforementioned five lug wheels. They were more expensive than the GT, which didn’t help sales.