In September 1981, Motor Trend magazine pasted a picture of the Mustang GT on the cover of its magazine declaring “The Boss is Back.” It claimed the “new” 5.0 Liter H.O. engine could propel the car from 0 to 60 in 6.9 seconds. By today’s standards, that is not much but coming out of the late 1970’s when only the Pontiac Trans Am was offering true performance in a 4 seater, that was an attention getter. This Mustang has had just 2 owners and is a low mileage example. It is listed here on eBay with 1 day remaining in the auction. The car is located in Johnstown, Ohio and is bid to $12,400. However, the reserve has not been met.
The seller reports that this Mustang has traveled just 28,720 miles and the car looks like that could be accurate. The high performance 302 cubic inch V8 engine was rated 160 horsepower and 240 lb ft of torque. The engine was fed by a 356 cfm 2 barrel carburetor. On paper, this doesn’t sound too impressive but, in 1981, a Mustang buyer could only order a 255 cubic inch V8 engine and it was only offered with an automatic. When I was 15 years old, my older brother ordered the first year of the Fox body Mustang (1982) with the 302 cubic inch V8 engine, 4 speed and TRX suspension. I remember being impressed with that little notch back. A year later I bought a 1978 Trans Am with a W72 400 engine. My brother didn’t like getting smoked by his little brother’s used car.
The interior of this car is immaculate. The nonbranded Recaro style seats hold the driver firmly and the engine is backed by a 4 speed manual transmission. The gearing in the car is one of the tricks that made this such a fun car to drive. The seller has had the car for only a few years and bought it from the original owner. It is equipped with T-Tops, rear window louvers and aluminum TRX wheels.
This Mustang is still wearing its original maroon paint and is said to have never been wrecked. This is confirmed with the Autocheck Vehicle History report that is part of the eBay ad. It is heavily optioned including air conditioning, cruise control, power locks and power windows. The seller states that it drives like new. So who drooled over this car when it was introduced in late 1981?
The first year of the Fox body was 1989.
I think you mean 1979.
I did! Those look like ’79 Pace Car Recaros though. There can’t be many left in this condition.
To me, that engine compartment shows a little more than 28k miles…
Bruce how is the gearing special ?
I always recall tall gears in fox cars.
Are those the METRIC Rims?
The rich girl in our clique got one for her high school graduation. She let me drive it. Coming out of my Corolla this seemed like a rocket.
The first year for the Foxy Mustang was 1979 not 1982. In 79 the same 302 made 140 BHP and 250 lbs./feet of torque. 1980 and 81 they went with the crapped out smaller V8 (certainly not one of Ford’s “better ideas”).
If this is the same 4-spd as my 79 4th gear is an overdrive gear.
“The high performance 302 cubic inch V8 engine was rated 160 horsepower …”
The horsepower rating was 157, not 160.
As far as the gearing, the transmission ratios were 3.07 first, 1.72 second, 1.00 third, 0.70 fourth.
Thanks for catching that error on horsepower.
This GT was a big deal at the time, and engine was available in the Capri as well. My brother and I each had one in 1982 and they were faster than the new camaros and TAs and certainly big improvement over the Mustang II choked 302. This GT kicked off the ponycar revival early 80s.
Yes, this was the first car that actually had some guts…you are correct, this car started the revival. These cars would smoke the T/A’s and Z-28’s apples to apples. Much quicker!!!!!
That’s pretty crazy because both my brother and I also each had one in 1982. Both were Black and were quick as could be. I moved from Florida to Massachusetts in 1983 and my first encounter there with winter forced me to trade it in on a CJ7. Should have kept it! was tons of fun on the winding Massachusetts roads during the fall!
Are those the Metric Rims ?
Yes
I definitely remember that “boss is back” slogan but couldn’t remember what magazine,, thought it was Hot Rod, wrong again. With the all new third gen Camaro/Firebird with its racy looks Ford needed to counter punch hard with the boxy Fox Mustang, the 5.0/manual transmission was a real winner, at least matching the GM guys new pride in acceleration. These were quick cars at the time among new cars, still laughable compared to the older Mach1’s, and I didn’t think it would last. I figured by ’84 or 85 it would be slowsville all over again with stricter emissions and CAFE standards…..boy was I wrong,, and happy to say so.
Bruce,
Don’t quote Motor Trend, quote the original Ford showroom poster.
https://www.allposters.com/-sp/1982-Mustang-the-Boss-is-Back-Posters_i13806232_.htm?AID=1033161678&gclid=ba9f166226e21af624af75734e11dbb1&gclsrc=3p.ds&msclkid=ba9f166226e21af624af75734e11dbb1
Got a couple those after I bought a black GT that’s been hibernating with 19,000 miles. Been meaning to wake it up. Love the options on this car!
Since you want to compare a 400 Pontiac to a 302 Ford, how about we compare your 400 to a 428 Cobra Jet. This site says a ’82 Trans Am with the doggie Chebby 305 took 9.1 0-60. That seems like a more fair comparison.
https://www.automobile-catalog.com/make/pontiac/firebird_3gen/firebird_3_trans_am/1982.html
Love this old Mustang GT. Is that some sort of damage on the underside pictured in the seventh eBay picture?
No, what are you even talking about? That car is clean as a pin. I’m sure you’ll be calling the guy anyway though before buying it. You should just ask him then.
I had that poster in high school. Bought it from my local ford dealer because I couldn’t afford the car….. I spent years trying to find that car. Finally did. Naturally it needs a total restoration but it is mine. The only difference between mine and the sellers is a/c, and the floor… Rebuilding my car will be a labor of love years in the making. Good luck to the seller but I think I will keep mine.