The “Fox Body” generation of Ford’s Mustang is my favorite iteration of the popular pony car, and the turbocharged SVO model is one that I am especially fond of. Barn Finds reader Dan D. from NJ found this 1986 Ford Mustang SVO available for sale here on Craigslist, and it’s a very tidy example of the SVO model that features a handful of tasteful upgrades.
This SVO is available in Clinton, New Jersey with a clean title. Though the listing does not have a lot of details, the seller has owned the vehicle for the past 10 years, and he is ready to move on to another project.
The exterior of the vehicle is pristine, with a set of polished factory wheels standing out against the white paint. The car also benefits from new tires, new Koni adjustable suspension bits, and new StopTech 4-wheel disc brakes.
Inside the cabin, you’ll find a very clean gray leather interior, which the seller claims is “new”. Regardless of whether the seats are completely new or just reupholstered, it is in fantastic condition. Also, there are very few modifications to the interior, with the only noticeable changes being an aftermarket radio and an aftermarket boost gauge.
There’s a turbocharged 2.3-liter 4-cylinder engine under the hood, which pairs to a 5-speed manual transmission to drive the rear wheels, and the advertisement states that the driveline has 102,000 miles on it. From the factory, the engine made 205 horsepower, but the seller notes that this engine has upgrades allowing it to make approximately 300 horsepower. Additionally, the seller includes a spare short block, intercooler, and turbo with the vehicle’s sale.
For $12,750, this SVO could be yours. Do you think you could see yourself owning this tastefully modified turbo Fox, or would you prefer one with a V8 under the hood?
Blowoff valve, hard charge pipes, seats that look like no one has sat in them- sweet looking ride!
I think I would rather have this than a 1986 Corvette. And coming from “Mr.Corvette” I am even surprising myself. Very nice example and the price seems OK.
This car stock would run side by side with my GTA 5.7 in the 1/4 mile. But I’m the 205 hp is under rated. My GTA ran low 14’s stock. I saw another guy run his GTA and he was running 13’s I ask what he had. It would only run high 15’s until he put a Paxton SC on it. I don’t know if my car was an exception. But this little mustang will give many cars a run for there money ! Nice car and that price is probably a little under what it cost new.
In 1986, I owned a loaded GT 5.0, and my brother owned a loaded SVO. Mine cost $14,000 and his cost $16,000. I thought his was a nice car but couldn’t see spending more for that rough sounding 4 cylinder over a rumbling V8.
What were the results of the “Comparison Test? ;-)
This is the highest mileage and highest priced SVO I’ve seen in many years. Hold out for one that broke before it was paid off or that someone thought would be collectible some day. Buy cheap. Swap in a Windsor. Enjoy, for what it would cost to get any GT you can buy for the same amount of money into a paint booth.
Didn’t think stock electronics would let it reach up to the 300 range according to online documentations. What mods does it have.