Mustang SVO

[Greg]

I am just considering the idea of looking for a Mustang SVO. My son (16 years old) likes the Fox Body and I had a 85 GT. But, the SVO has always intrigued me. Love my daily driver Marauder but wanted to get some opinions. Perhaps to keep me from spending money on another car I don't need:)

Look at this one: Love the green:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rm3TwLLLh4

[Joe Walsh]

Small world!!.....my brother and I have both stopped over to Fleming's in Rockville to look at that exact SVO Mustang.
It's pretty....and pretty pricey!
Sage Green is a very rare color...probably because it was so close to Army Green.

BTW: My brother is selling his special edition 1984 GT350 Mustang.
5.0 V8, 5 speed, T-Tops, TRX
It is VERY clean.
IIRC he is asking $7,000.

[Greg]

Definitely on the high side. My '85 had T Tops... No air conditioning. Replaced the auto choke with a cable. Clutch was heavy cable. Was a good car. Crushed the head of a valve push rod once. Sounded bad but replaced easily.

[Agent2006]

Just say NO....

Having had several fox bodies, I can tell you: leave the '80's back in the '80's, ESPECIALLY when $18K will get you a two year old modern Mustang with the 300 hp 2.3 turbo. The newer one will be everything this one wasn't. This car was a nice try for the time, but even new they were way more expensive than the 5.0 and slow.

This car had the weak 7.5" diff, if the heater core hasn't been done count on doing that ...miserable job. I seem to remember when you jam on the brakes, the passenger seat flips forward, no lock button on that.

[Greg]

All good points. I had an '85 as well. Of course modern vehicles can outperform older cars, including a stock marauder. Doesn't mean I don't like the car. My own approach is not to try to chase horsepower and keep them mostly stock (have 4.10 gears in my marauder). Just my way of enjoying the cars. Hard to beat newer car performance. Of course the panther platform is great to modify .... Each his own. Decisions Decisions ....

I know I shouldn't even think about it ... definitely not at that price but others ...

[Agent2006]

Greg:

At 5 grand I like that SVO, at 18G I don't...and not for my kid. That car is too old/brittle, in my opinion. At least a 1993 GT or Cobra will have an airbag...

Actually, my 2001 GT was a great all-around car, except for the overstuffed front seats. Great deals to be had in the 2003-04 years including the S/C Cobras, bet you could find a Cobra for 18 big ones. Or a nice GT for 5.

Thing about the Marauder is: it is fast enough stock and can be pretty damn fast with a few mods, and the other thing is NO one makes a car this roomy anymore...so there is a uniqueness factor. Maybe me being 6-03", 250 lbs I value that more than the typical Mazda 6/Camry owner.

---bottom line is = your money so...whatever floats your boat! Here's a scary one(boosted, bigger turbo)... locally (1 hr away from EC) but might be a good car, has A/C....(I think a "Dino Sheet" was what Fred/Barney used to record data in 6,000,000 BC before dynamometers were invented. 1 Brontosaurus power = 2,000 HP. LOL.)

https://frederick.craigslist.org/cto/d/855-mustang-svo/6711515973.html

[RubberCtyRauder]

It may not be factor for you, but a 16 year old's insurance for a mustang will be alot of $. Unfortunately, too many young drivers have gotten into the small car, higher hp issues and have had accidents. It might be worth checking with your insurance guy before finalizing. Good luck with your search

[Greg]

I have a 95 manual camry for the boy. He just likes Fox Bodies so something to do/have together. Much like the marauder. Except the Marauder is my daily driver (today's snow - camry)

[a_d_a_m]

Always loved the SVO. Someone offered me a trade for Stick Vic on a driver quality SVO, but at the time, I really liked Stick Vic better...if that guy found me now, I might take him up on the offer.

[RubberCtyRauder]

I have 95 manual camry for the boy. He just likes Fox Bodies so something to do/have together. Much like the marauder. Except the Marauder is my daily driver (today's snow - camry)

:beer: Nothing wrong with sharing, bonding etc with your son. Hope you guys enjoy the hunt to find one.

[sailsmen]

Prior to 2000 cars Wore out and Broke all the time.

Fine as a Toy.

[Greg]

Yeah older cars are more work. Of course my marauder has rebuilt engine, new front suspension, steering, brakes, etc. I love it. Oh the insanity ....

I do appreciate everyone's opinion. Nice to hear some different perspectives.

[Joe Walsh]

I always liked the SVO and the effort that Ford put into developing 'something different'.
I remember my first drive in a friend's '85 SVO wayyy back when.
He had me drive fast and then hit the brakes hard.....
Holy crap! That thing stopped on a dime!
Made me realize how lame my '85 GT's brakes really were.....
10" front rotors and 9" drums out back :eek: tasked with stopping a car that I had allegedly topped out at 138.5 mph stock and 144 mph after a cam, H-pipe and shorty headers.
In 1986 that was hustling!

[Mr. Man]

Weird this topic came up. I saw a red one a couple days ago driving the opposite way I was going. Haven't seen one in many years.

[Joe Walsh]

Greg:

At 5 grand I like that SVO, at 18G I don't...and not for my kid. That car is too old/brittle, in my opinion.

Here's a scary one(boosted, bigger turbo)... locally (1 hr away from EC) but might be a good car, has A/C....(I think a "Dino Sheet" was what Fred/Barney used to record data in 6,000,000 BC before dynamometers were invented. 1 Brontosaurus power = 2,000 HP. LOL.)

https://frederick.craigslist.org/cto/d/855-mustang-svo/6711515973.html


1985.5 SVO!
Best SVO made...good looking flush 'euro' headlights with 205 HP/248 TRQ.
Not sure what that is in 'Dino' HP...lol

Nice looking car for the money being asked.

Remember that FORD relied on a knowledgeable driver because they had a 'Regular' and 'Premium' fuel switch in the console depending on what you pumped in the tank.
Imagine leaving that choice to owners of Turbo cars nowadays!!?? :eek:

[Taemian]

Car price is $5500 now, when was it 18G??

[Greg]

I called him. He said he isn't going to sell it now. He is going to wait for a mustang show and sell it there. His quote, "I can get $8,000 for it all day long there". Hopefully he gets what he wants. Nothing wrong with that. It is difficult to talk about cost with these older cars with various types repairs/rehabs/improvement. Is is all relevant to each individual and what they are looking for. How much it may need work, color, etc. For me, I like closer to all stock. This one wasn't but at the price I was considering.

[Invective]

I never owned a SVO but found one in a private sale years ago and did some inquires. Was told that when checking the normal items do be sure to check for carbon buildup/coking. Loved these cars then as now.

[Joe Walsh]

Car price is $5500 now, when was it 18G??

The SVO that Greg originally posted was at a Classic car dealership in Rockville MD.
That very clean Sage green SVO was priced at $29,900 last year...then dropped down to $23,900....and now is down to 'only' $18,000.

That guy in WV who claims he can "get $8,000 all day long" obviously hasn't looked at prices on FourEyedPride.

Even very rare Fox bodies don't bring much money....ask me how I know...:(

[Joe Walsh]

My brother's super clean 1984 GT350 5.0L 5 speed w/T-Tops:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1984-Ford-Mustang-GT-20th-Anniversary-Edition/173663261393?hash=item286f2312 d1:g:-tgAAOSwjMtb~YWz:rk:1:pf:0&vxp=mtr

It has a Ford Motorsports aluminum head crate motor in it now, but my brother has the complete OEM 5.0L engine as well. It sells with the car.
Red interior is still RED....not faded pink.

I have some great old pictures of this Mustang and my '85 GT parked next to each other in our driveway wayyyy back in the summer of '85.

[Greg]

I ended up with a 90% restored red 85.5. I passed on the Green one due to price. I called them prior to purchasing the red one just to see what they will do. If you are interested in that conversation PM me. After I bought the red one they called back wanting to talk more. I told them too late. Anyway, son is excited. Hope it goes well. Another what have I done moment ....

[roaky81]

I have a 84 SVO.

[ClayBelt]

I have one that is in rough shape I might be trading for a Box Vic Tuesday actually, I’m down in florida

[Joe Walsh]

Any 2.3L Turbo fans out there that might need a killer engine kit?
I bought all the goodies for my 1984 GT Turbo Convertible.

2.3L '88 Turbo T-Bird block with Oil Pan, Bellhousing, Valve Cover and wiring harness
Ported Aluminum Esslinger 'D' port Cylinder head
Garrett GT30 ball bearing Turbo
Custom stainless steel Exhaust header
2.5L Ranger Crank
Wiseco Forged Pistons w/Calico anti-friction coated skirts and thermal barrier coated piston crowns
Crower 5.7" forged rods
Calico coated bearings
Esslinger billet aluminum water pump
Ported, port matched and rotated 90 degree Turbo T-Bird intake manifold
60mm? Throttle body kit with adapter plate
GReddy Blow off valve

Will need cam, cam followers, intercooler and intercooler piping.

400+ HP....easy.