SVO Predecessor: 1984 Ford Mustang GT Turbo
In the early 1980s, Ford created a division called the Special Vehicle Operations Department (SVO), which oversaw the development of the company’s racing vehicles and also the usage of that technology in production vehicles. While many are familiar with the Mustang SVO, it is interesting to learn that before its existence, the automaker was using the same turbocharged 4-cylinder engine in vehicles such as this 1984 Ford Mustang GT Turbo that’s available here on eBay.
This convertible is available in Meridian, Idaho with a clean title. There isn’t too much information about the vehicle’s history, but the seller does claim that Ford only manufactured 104 of these Mustang GT Turbos, and also that this example was garage kept during its lifetime with elderly owners. Additionally, a statistic from the website Late Model Restoration backs up the seller’s claim that Ford only produced 104 of these fuel-injected Mustang GT Turbos in the convertible body style.
It’s believable that this Mustang was garage kept when you look at its condition. The body is in great shape with no noticeable flaws, the paint and graphics still shine brightly, and the period-correct aftermarket wheels suit the car well.
Inside the cabin, the interior is in similar condition, and there are amenities such as air conditioning, cruise control, fog lights, and a tachometer. There are also plenty of power features, such as a power convertible top with a glass rear window, doors, locks, and windows.
Under the hood, there’s the aforementioned fuel-injected and turbocharged 2.3-liter 4-cylinder engine, which made 145 horsepower from the factory and pairs to a 5-speed manual transmission to drive the rear wheels. The drivetrain has 69,547 miles and it operates without any issues, with the seller willing to provide test drive videos for interested parties.
At the time of publication, bidding for this convertible is at $4,050. Would you purchase this predecessor to the SVO Mustang?
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Comments
Nice, my favorite Fox-based Mustang body style.
I was not aware of a 1984 Turbo convertible.
The odometer looks like it’s been messed with…….?
Always possible, but my unmessed-with 1979 Mustang odometer looks like this, with the numbers uneven.
Unlike the later Mustang SVO, These turbo GT’s didn’t have an intercooler
The link to production numbers does indeed show the number 104…but that was for the midyear GT350 20th Anniversary jobs. Production for non-anniversary Turbo GT convertibles is listed as 731.
Though I’m not a big drop-top fan, this Mustang is a pretty sweet ride. It could be a great buy if the bids don’t get much higher.
Which wheels would have been on this car at time of delivery?
Text metrics where the top of the line. My 83.5 83GTTurbo came with them. Now 16 in. replicas are a cheaper alternative. I love mine 178k miles. Number 500 of 604 designated as 83 models. Great cars. Made ad much power as the 82 Chevy 302.
https://www.wheelsandcaps.com/images/Product/large/19002.jpg
These I believe
That would be correct if it was ordered with the optional TRX wheels. The standard wheels were the aluminum 16-slot wheels.
https://www.stangbangers.com/home/2018/11/4/1984-ford-mustang-brochure
The standard wheels look better IMO these days anyway, not sure what the opinion was in the mid eighties. I actually forgot which ones were the TRX wheels.
Swap the cheesy wheels for a set of SVO rims drop the top and cruise
Back in 1984 I bought a new silver 1984 Mustang GT 5.0 at Jim Click Ford in Tucson Arizona, I was only 23 years old at that time. They had a couple of the turbo mustangs sitting in the lot but no one wanted them. The 5.0 was the mustang to get back then. The following year the SVO mustangs were introduced which made these early turbo mustangs even less popular, no one wanted them.
I like the GT-Turbo script sticker on the front fender.
I had a charcoal gray ’84 GT Turbo convertible in the mid 1990’s. It was a nice car with decent power and great gas mileage.
I drove it everyday for several years. The guy I sold it to still has and is still going strong.
How can I determine if I’m actually getting gt turbo and not a car some one put stickers on.