One of my favorite someday project cars is the Ford Mustang SVO, so you can see why I’m glad this basketcase project is located on the opposite coast. Yes, I have a panache for buying wayward cars that need more maintenance than what they’re worth, but it’s so gratifying to see deserving cars come back to life. Is the SVO a deserving candidate? I think so, as it’s a genuine limited production performance car that is part of the fast-rising class of 1980s icons. The Mustang SVO is located in Poulsbo, Washington and posted up here on craigslist with an asking price of $1,400.
While barn finds are genuinely exciting to discover, I still question why some sellers don’t attempt some before and after photos. Yes, this SVO is rough, but given it’s in Washington State, it’s likely not all that rusty underneath. I run into this a lot with the vehicles I’m selling out of Georgia, as the logistical hurdles prevent me from cleaning and prepping projects for sale. In the case of this SVO, the seller could have cleaned out the interior and blasted it with a hose to show us what we’re working with. The body actually looks pretty straight, and aside from the smashed lenses, it doesn’t look like it will need much time in the bodyshop.
The interior is filthy, and it will certainly need some time with a steam cleaner. The carpet itself may even be past the point of salvation, and the steering wheel is certainly quite tired. The good news is, you can usually find replacements on Fox body forums with an SVO subchapter, but more importantly, the bucket seats don’t look bad at all. You may even be able to use them while it’s brought back to life, but at the very least, the foam isn’t spilling out so you should be able to reupholster them without too much of a struggle. The dash doesn’t appear to be cracked, and the door panels look like they’ll respond well to a good cleaning.
The listing cites 35,000 as the mileage, and it’s hard to say whether that’s accurate. Really! Those seats, if they weren’t left exposed for the last ten years, might actually look like they have just 35,000 miles of wear and tear. Now, I know that’s extremely optimistic, but wishful thinking can be the nudge you need to make the drive and bring this tired SVO home. Two other small details – check out the windshield washer stalk and how the applique with the wiper blade logo is still perfectly visible, or the orange needles that look like they belong in a much newer car – are these clues that lend credence to the 35K mile claim? Who knows, but I hope this turbocharged Mustang finds a new home soon.
Good analysis Jeff.
The SVO does have a following, but seems to stay in the shadow as compared to the 5.0 Fox Bodies. As Jeff points out, this example is plenty tired and plenty dirty, but from what we can see, it isn’t a rusty mess. Maybe it could be restored, or perhaps a candidate for an Ecoboost transplant? Not much money to give it a try; if it doesn’t work out, probably enough viable parts to recoup your money.
Maybe water and a garden hose wasn’t nearby… seems to me that even an hour or two of clean-up might have made this SVO much more attractive.
35K miles: our reaction is to not believe it, but I suppose it’s possible. Maybe an early turbo failure, and it has since been sitting outside for three decades.
Have always thought that a late model Ecoboost transplant into one of these would be a ball. Alas, it’s the wrong coast for me as well so the price of entry plus shipping makes me pass. Interesting that there’s no engine or underneath pictures making this a real “crapshoot” on what you’d get for your money.
All the lights and lenses in the front end are pretty much unobtainable. This thing is barely a parts car in reality. Pretty much an organ donor for someone elses project. The side spats and quarter window louvers are the most valuable parts of the car. The rest is so/so. Front suspension spindles are Lincoln pieces that limit wheel choice due to center hole clearance, and the rear is a 7.5″ axle, which is not desirable. Interior is trashed, although the cluster and possible the door cards may still be good.
Maybe not so unobtainable. There is a company in Waco, Texas, that sells parts for 1979-1993 Mustangs, including the SVO. Called Late Model Restoration, or LMR, they once handled a Coyote engine swap project involving an ASC/McLaren Mercury Capri, so I wouldn’t put it past them to have whatever’s needed to put this car back on the road.
At that price the seller really doesn’t need to put in the time to clean it up if he doesn’t feel like it.
Some enthusiast will buy it, then assess its viability as a project car. At that point they will either get to work trying to get it running or part it out. They won’t lose either way.
Steve R
There are so many SVOs that have been preserved in the hope of appreciation never to come. I can’t see spending money on one that needs more than fresh fluids and tires
What are they selling for? For the possibility of buying a desirable entry level car inexpensively it might be worth a shot for someone on a limited budget. It all depends on what the car needs, which is hard to tell from this ad. However, if it’s a parts car, the price dynamic changes completely. Complete, or nearly cars that have a dedicated following have a lot of hidden value locked up if anyone willing to take the time to go after the small hard to find components.
Steve R
If you have the room and the time you can out this in a garage, take it apart and as you find the right parts put it back together. There is no rush as it is not a high dollar car.
When you are done you will have a car you have pout together and will have the pleasure every time you drive it that you did the work.
You will also have a unique Mustang that you don’t see very often.
nope
Looks like a Barn Find to me. I’d definitely buy it if I lived near there. It’s not a complicated car and the mechanical parts are cheap. You’d be driving it for less than $3,000. It’s not like its a rust bucket. I don’t see how you lose on this
You are so totally correct …….. and LMR (late model) will definitely hook you up!!! I own an 86 and it’s a blast to drive. Love the turbo spool. Get it just so you can say “I own a SVO” and then drive the hell out of your turbo fox body with better Koni suspension!!!
Used to see nicer ones than this in the pick a parts 20 years ago.
That can be said about almost every project car featured in this site.
Steve R
A bottle of Nu Finish will restore the shine to this weather beaten car.
Glad its on the wrong coast or I’d be on a mission to rescue this car! These cars new were about 50% higher in price compared the 5.0 models.