As someone who loves the 1980s, there are certain features that just make a car or truck stand out. Sometimes, you get lucky and see all of those details in one tempting package as we see with this clean 1982 Ford Mustang. It has: T-tops, rear window louvers, and Pony-style 5-spoke wheels. Of course, it wouldn’t be a peak 1980s Fox body without a 5.0L V8, so it has one of those, too. The color combo of black over camel is fetching, and the seller apparently has a stock pile of desirable OEM parts like Recaro seats and air dams with Marchal lights that he’ll let go on top of the purchase price. Find it here on eBay for $12,000 or best offer.
The early Fox bodies represent great value in the hobby car marketplace, in my opinion, as the four-eyed models are generally less desirable but still quite capable as daily drivers and as performance cars with a few cheap bolt-on tweaks. The headlights were never a turn off to me; in fact, I thought they looked awesome under a set of covers to give the assemblies the “ensconced” look. In addition to the nose panel, these earlier cars also had the taillights with the vertically-stacked design that helped make the trunk seem more defined and less like it was one, giant hatch section as the later Fox bodies did (my opinion, of course.) The rear window louvers are a must-have for any 80s muscle car, and the seller notes that his Mustang also sports a new exhaust system with twin pipes.
If this Mustang were equipped with a manual transmission, it’d be game over in terms of desirability. The automatic isn’t a bad match for the 5.0L but three pedals would make this Mustang immensely cooler. The camel-colored dash, console, and door panels make this interior far more attractive than you’d expect for an 80s Ford product, but this was also the era in which the Ghia trim was available and perhaps allowed some European influence into the design process. This car has seats from a later Mustang, but as mentioned above, the seller indicates he is sitting on a stash of spare parts including the factory Recaros that came in the pace car edition ‘Stangs. I would grab a set of those for sure, as these seats offer next to no side bolstering.
Modifications are limited to suspension tweaks, which are evidence when you look at how little gap there is between the tops of the tires and the fender edges. The seller reports some mechanical improvements including a new power steering pump and the exhaust system that apparently passes Colorado inspections with ease. The 5.0L V8 produced 157 horsepower and 240 lb.-ft. of torque when new, which isn’t all that impressive by today’s standards or even the early 90s; fortunately, a hot cam and a full exhaust system with headers should help wake things up a bit and for not much cash. This looks like an awesome ride for summertime cruises – anyone else agree?
Set of TRXs would look better here but that’s my opinion
Set of TRXs would look better here but that’s my opinion
Interesting four-eye Fox. V8, T-tops, but not a GT. Those Pony wheels were the go-to choice when the pricey and fast-wearing TRX tires needed replaced. Today, with the repro 16″ TRX wheels available, that would be my choice. Those black (?) seats don’t do much for me; the Recaros, especially in Caramel, would look great (but is the Caramel upholstery even available). The automatic would be a downer for me but it’s fine for others. Fix whatever else needs attention and join in with the strong Fox Body clan.
Sounds like the seller deals in not-high-end Fords, plus parts.
Good job Jeff.
Also no 5.0
Put the Caramel (Camel?) colored Recaros in and just cruise. I bet with the T Tops and hatch this car rattles like crazy. Oh well turn up the radio and open the throttle.
Whoa. I just read the ad and it says it’s got the I6? And it has over 100000 miles? Not worth what they want. Not with an automatic.
This car comes across as somewhat ragged around the edges and cobbled together with the different colored interior and later model wheels. It’s getting into the price range where you should be able to find a later fuel injected 5.0 LX with a manual transmission. Those were superior cars with the incremental drivetrain and suspension upgrades Ford did throughout this cars run. I’d hold out for one of those.
Steve R
That is not a 5.0 you clearly see the top mounted valve cover making it the inline six. I love the metal adaptor on the coolant line for the ported vacuum switches. At least it seem’s to have been maintained throughout it’s life
Quote: “Of course, it wouldn’t be a peak 1980s Fox body without a 5.0L V8, so it has one of those, too.”
No, it doesn’t. This car has the 3.3L inline 6 (91 hp) which is clearly stated in the eBay listing and backed up by the “B” engine code in the VIN. Nowhere does the seller claim it has the 5.0 or even the 4.2 V8.
Also, the automatic wasn’t offered with the 5.0 V8 in ’82. That engine was available only with the 4-speed manual. So 6 cylinders, 91 HP (not 157), automatic. Hard pass.
It does look like a six. I think these are attractive cars. The early Foxes shine in that regard.
The I6 brings about its own problem: unique K member that requires swapping out for a 4 or 8 cylinder car.
12k is way high for a 6/auto car, even this rust free.
Hold out for 5 spd HO in an ’85 (Holley carb’d + new roller cam with better int./exh. profile + headers+ etc!) or the ’86 fuel inj.
These flat ran.
Also the ’85 HO had the newest upgraded Borg Warner unit/ 5 spd.
Owned/leased the ’78 pre HO, and HOs new in ’82, ’83, ’84 and ’86 and my pals all ran with the same- all Mustangs in that period and we had a great time tooling, tinkering and speed shifting.
Simple joys after the soft 70s.
Wait and be picky.
5.0??
You had me at T-tops and louvers then lost me at auto and 6 cylinder…
Jeff Lavery, time to edit your write up and stop promoting this as a V8.