A rarely seen trim line born from the years of turbocharged Fox Bodies is this 1984 GT Turbo. While we know and love the SVO on these pages, along with the venerable 5.0L V8, the two-year-only GT Turbo is worth a look if for no other reason than its obscurity. Find this 1984 model here on eBay and not running after a ten-year sleep.
Autoweek‘s Murliee Martin does a nice job explaining the significance of the non-intercooled, fuel-injected GTs that came out in ’83 and ’84; check out that article here. It makes sense why this was such a short-lived trim line, as buyers who wanted bragging rights bought the GT; smart buyers who did their research got the powerful SVO; and then there was the GT Turbo, with none of the suspension enhancements of the other trims and less power.
This particular car has seen some hard days, with a filthy interior missing numerous parts. The ignition also looks damaged, but thankfully, this is a manual transmission example. The seller claims to be a long-time Mustang shop owner, so should you have any questions fitting for a Mustang guru, he’s the owner of Mustangs and More in Merriam, Kansas. Perhaps he can even be of assistance for the next owner who may need help to get it running.
Belts look quite tired and we doubt highly any attention has been paid to this 145 b.h.p. mill. The amount of surface rust that’s visible is also alarming, not to mention the rust that covers a large percentage of the exterior. Bidding opens up at a reasonable $1,200 and there’s no reserve. Is this interesting footnote in Mustang production history worth taking a gamble on?
At best, it’s a $500 parts car. It’s too far gone to make it financially viable restoration project.
If you want a turbo four cylinder Fox body Mustang get an SVO or buy an engineless 87-93 GT or LX then swap in either Thunderbird turbo driveline or the current ECO Boost 4 cylinder.
Steve R
Ever wonder why it’s rare? because nobody bought em.
Rare,because they were more expensive than a Mustang,thats why they were rare..Plus they made less to begin with,wsnt meant to be a big seller like the Mustang.
Lincoln-Mercury dealers sold them and they were thousands more than a comparable Mustang..I know my Mom bought one new in 83 RS 5.0 that she still owns and its pristine..
Same with Mopars they were always more expensive when new than GM/Ford cars in the same category,plus less ma
I’m sure the turbo and EFI bits – assuming they were in good shape – would be a nice addition to the Low Sierra…
Steve’s suggestions would be better than trying to resurrect this particular ‘Stang.
Not a Ford guy but my Mom the original owner ,has a 1983 Mercury Capri RS 5.0 auto. Bought new in June 1983,and babied ever since !
88,000 miles and pristine just a summer,weekend driver..Now to the store and thats about it.
I always preferred the Capri to the Mustang,and it was even before she bought the Capri..
Not really so different still the same underneath as badge engineered 👍
An Ecoboost 4 cylinder would have double the horsepower. Also, fyi, I had a 1979 Mustang Cobra with the 4 cylinder turbo — started burning oil at 30K miles and the overall build quality was awful. I had a friend who worked for Ford at the time who tried (in vain) to convince me that the V8 was a much better choice — should have listened. Would have to agree that if you wanted a turbo motor, the SVO would be a much better choice.
IIRC, Ford recommended oil changes every 1,500 miles for this and the EXP turbo. How conscientious were you about that? And as far as the silver paint, before clear coats, this is the way every silver car that sat outside for awhile ended up.
GUYS !!! …Please provide your knowledge of the 2.3 ecoboost swaps and the “better choices” you advise !
Ford fox body turbo cars (Mustang/Mercury Capri) in 1979 & 80 were blow through carbuerated cars. Not very good overall, the choked 302 was more reliable, not much quicker.
The same Lima 2.3 Turbo emerged again in 1983, forged internals, 19#injectors, T-5 trans in the redesigned Thunderbird TC/Cougar XR-7. Offered as a more expensive alternative in all Ford lines vs. the V-8’s. Extremely durable engine with a 40 year production run. The SVO mustang came out in 1984 with an intercooler and 30# injectors and was produced through 86. Much more expensive than the 5.0 cars, but 5 lug 4 wheel discs 16″ tires, adjustable koni shocks, light weight up front with the 4-banger turbo was a nice, excellent performer by the end of production. Enter 1987…NO SVO mustang…Really cool intercooled T_bird, same tech…
Would buy this immediately if it were closer !!! Have tons of parts/extras, very rare car.
Respect the younger guys posts, knowing these cars aren’t anything they know about. I have the ’80s 5.0 , 2.3Mustang turbo, wife has the 1.9 Ecoboost escape, Duratec Ranger truck.
Love the young guy’s chiming in,
Old Fart John L…
@ Old Fart John, I’ve had two 2.3 turbos over the years….an ’84 SVO and an ’87 Tbird and I agree 100% with you. Dollars per horsepower, this is probably the best engine to have IMHO. A buddy of mine had a low 12 second Mustang LX Coupe running a ‘slightly’ modified ’88 Turbo Tbird drivetrain, with an F250 Superduty intercooler…shadetree horsepower at its best. PS I’m a middle-aged fart!
Where in Canada Canuck?
@ Brad, not far from London, Ontario.
Here is Ford SVT’s version of the 4 cylinder Ecoboost swap into the Fox body Mustangs. There’s other options but their kit has the full brand new engine with the wiring and computer setup. ———- https://www.svtperformance.com/2015/09/25/new-product-2-0-ecoboost-swap-kit/ .
BTW… I would have always chosen the V-8 at the time. Now ? fun toys because they’re not so common.
Is patina a “trim line”? If so, “The patina is strong in this one”
Looks like somebody stole this car at some point !!
“For sale.used meth-mobile.”
I’d like to see production numbers on the get turbo. Must be very low. Ford was trying to move the market to turbo 4s, but the market would have none of it. The 302 had better power at a similar price. I personally like the more obscure stuff like this so for me if I didn’t already have so many projects I’d seriously look at this.
CanuckCarGuy, I’m from the ‘roy. Not far from you either. Here’s my take on this, Horses for Courses. Imagine being spoiled for choice. You could have sophisticated motoring, brute torque or something in between. With the GT Turbo you got the same body kit, interior and suspension as the GT with better balance and fuel economy for much less than the SVO. It was a great cruiser, and should have sold better. In Canada, I went weekly to my local Ford dealer to look at the Cars I was too young to buy. An SVO was $19 k, a GT was between 11 and $12k. When I was finally old enough, I bought an 84 GT 5.0, I couldn’t find a Turbo GT. They were all great cars, just slightly different. Someone save this.
It was junk when it was new….looks like things haven’t improved much!
Paul, as shown above submits opinions..That’s partly why we are all here on BF ! Share thoughts, opinions and facts. Appreciate the contributions, Paul ! You sure know your “stuff”
This must have been a short run in 84. I ordered a 1984 Mustang GT in February 1984 and the only engine (I remember) available was a 4V 5.0L. Somewhere in the 90’s I saw an 83 turbo and thought: “Hmmm…didn’t even know they made them in 84”.
Side note to this: I was 18 and a senior in HS. I worked with the salesman to get exactly what I wanted in my car. Before we signed the order and I gave a any money down, he asked if I had checked on what my insurance would be. When I answered him that I had not, he insisted that I do before we proceeded. I canceled the order after that. With my dad co-signing; my payments were $202 per month, but my insurance was going to be $312 per month.
Fast forward to 2016. I bought a used 2013 Mustang GT. The full coverage insurance on it is less than what we have on my wife’s Fusion. I guess 50+ and gray hair does help with some things.
As builders, collectors, car guys, etc know THIS is the nxt wave. Soon there will B lack of widespread interest in 60s muscle. Fox-bodieds R already starting the price upswing.
While one writer is not exactly in this mode: “Fast forward to (today). I bought a used (yr) Mustang GT.” it shows an echo of the trend I mention.
The Boomers have the $ for the car they feigned 4 back in the day. The nxt generation is coming to ‘the stage’. I fear (in cars) they will B the last 2 follow this pattern.
I have been watching that very car in 1989, before they put it on eBay right here in good meridian Mississippi, and they wouldn’t sell it before it went to crap so that’s on them.