The best Mustang of the 80s. I graduated HS in '86 and wanted to buy one with my enlistment bonus. Couldn't get the financing as an E-3. I'd love to have one today. Cheers.
I graduated high school in 84 and was dying for one of these. They still draw a serious crowd as most people don't know what they are. They were ahead of their time and the public was just not ready.
Great overview of the SVO Mustang. Just got my SVO into the 11s in the quarter mile. It's a 85 in pretty good shape. Bought it when nobody cared about them about 10 years ago for next to nothing compared to the prices they go for now.
We used get fox bodies with blown engines all the time and make them so crazy we called them murder suspects. I shoehorned many engines in those days. Growing up in Detroit it was what everyone wanted because they were so much fun. We crammed a 351 Cleveland in one and added a supercharger. We really tried to not twist the car up but ,well we shattered the back window and twisted the body. Great fun .
I installed a 2.3 turbo from my old rear ended 86’ Thunderbird Turbocoupe into a 91’ 2.3 hatchback Mustang 5 speed, including many other Turbocoupe parts like the Trac Loc diff. It’s my home built “SVO” almost. Lol Fun to drive, even added AC and the Aluminum SVE radiator and 130 amp 3G kit. Good gas mileage too, average 27mpg highway.
I agree the SVO was ahead of it’s time. Had the price point been a little lower I believe sells would have been better. The torque and price of the GT back then just made it so much more appealing to the younger crowd at the time.
Fuel prices rose in the early 1980's and Hot Rod Magazine announced the death of the V8, saying the Buick turbo V6 was the hot rod engine of the future. Ford had already made a turbo 4 cylinder model of the GT Mustang, so they stepped up to this SVO Mustang to go after the BMW customer. We could argue the turbo T bird was going after the Porsche 944 customer. Ironically the SVO was the handling and braking package the GT Mustang lacked that sent folks to the F bodies from GM
This was my favorite Mustang at the time. I was 16 when it came out and I saw one at the Ford dealer and it blew me away! Sadly it was way to expensive and people really didn't want a pinto engine in a Mustang. The 5.0 LX was selling for about 10K and the if I remember correctly was around 17K. The LX was great in a straight line and would smoke the SVO. The SVO was made for twisty canyon roads, it would walk away from the LX. It would if been interesting to see what would if become of the SVO if more people took an interest in it. It was more European in nature then American. Would love to have one in white.
SN95 would’ve been a great platform for this engine if Ford had tweaked it to about 200hp. I think it would’ve remained an option throughout the 90s and early 2000s, Maybe even made it’s way into the S197 platform since gas was up. It could’ve worked all the way up till the 2.3 Ecoboost would replace it.
great vid landan! i love my 84 Svo, also liked the inclusion of the Slappers i was waiting for those to be mentioned! now if LMR can get some of the hard to find parts we can fully restore our SVO's with out having to use parts from dead cars. need that new trim!
Nice to see some SVO love. My first car was an 84 SVO, still have it, but it’s due for a complete resto. Have a Jalapeño 86 like this one, minus the sunroof.
Great job for a summary. I own an original untouched 86 comp prep. Of all Mustangs I have I love it best. I had an 84 too for a while as a track car. Won 2 autocross championship with it.
I remember test driving the SVO when it first came out. The 4 banger turbo model. Wish I had bought it now. At the time I had a 4x4 truck with a 428CJ motor and a mid 70's "King Cobra" with 302. Note: Bought the truck new in 77, paid $4500 for it. My first new vehicle. I was 19.
I loved this car back when it was new I couldn't afford them when new because I was trying to attend Jr college and work. I regret never getting my hands on one or that sleek 1979 5.0 that came in gray on black with the multiple colored ponies down the side.
I had a black ‘84 SVO that I bought used in ‘88 when I turned 21. It had the crank windows and the shocks were white, not red. The Koni’s came with a little knob to adjust the shocks that was kept in the console. That sucker handled great and moved pretty good. Unfortunately a tree fell on it in a storm and it was never the same so I sold it for almost nothing. Dam shame.
I had a white 86. It had a bo port stage 2 head and cam. Stinger exhaust. it was fairly fast. Getting the SVO specific interior items were costly. The shift knob and the steering wheel horn pad especially. I always thought it would be cool to throw the new eco boost motor in it. Sadly, I had to sell it after I got out of the military.
Learned how to drive a stick on one of these back in the late 80's. Felt pretty cool driving around in one of these back as a 16 year old. It wasn't mine though.
The SVO wasn’t the first Foxbody with 5 bolt hubs and wheels, the 1978 Fairmont and Zephyr were then Ford switched all Foxbody to 4 bolt hubs and wheels for the 1979 model year. The 1984 SVO got Goodyear NCT tires which were very disliked by some of the automobile press. 1985’s got Goodyear Gatorbacks.
Before Al Gore invented the internet it was impossible to find parts. Sometimes you would hear a rumor about a yard that had one or reading the classified ads in those gas station car mags. Now it's tap tap on the ole Android. Great video btw. I enjoyed the 05-09 vid as I'm currently driving an 05 GT, love that car, even more than my 84 SVO- RIP
Great video!! I’m the proud owner of a 1985 SVO Mustang. It’s not at original, but more of a Resto Mod. The 2.3 is long gone, and a 94 351w, and a TKO 500 transmission, 8.8 rear axle upgrade, are just a few of the Mods. Are you guys ever going to start making parts for the SVO’s?
I think it would be cool to put the new 2.3 with the 6 speed manual gearbox in it and upgrade the brakes. Thing would be a beast!! And make sure it's the HPP model
@@kevinnorwood7355 maybe later on, but for now I’m pretty satisfied with it. I’ve got a stroker engine in the works, but definitely for a later date. Plus I’m still playing around with the suspension components. Just a little at a time.
Excellent video! I remember desperately wanting one of these in the 80’s. I am having a hard time visualizing the dark sage and dark blue colors in my memory though. Would still love to own one. Such a cool car!
Hey Calvin! We currently do not offer SVO-style side spats on our site. We're always pursuing new parts for 79-present Mustangs, so hopefully, this is something we can add in the future. Thanks! -Landan
@@bobbarker1476 I asked him that question to see how smart he is on the SVO. It was quicker than the v8 because it had 3.73 gears. Yes it only made 240 lbs.-ft torque @ the crank but the wheels got more than the v8.
I tend the think the 86 headlamps look a little wonky. Why couldn’t they make a headlamp assembly like that on the LSC. That black gasket looks so aftermarket. The 84 headlamps look more like what the Camaro was doing.
The best Mustang of the 80s. I graduated HS in '86 and wanted to buy one with my enlistment bonus. Couldn't get the financing as an E-3. I'd love to have one today. Cheers.
I graduated high school in 84 and was dying for one of these. They still draw a serious crowd as most people don't know what they are. They were ahead of their time and the public was just not ready.
It was way ahead of his time. My favorite Fox body.
Great overview of the SVO Mustang. Just got my SVO into the 11s in the quarter mile. It's a 85 in pretty good shape. Bought it when nobody cared about them about 10 years ago for next to nothing compared to the prices they go for now.
The svo was definitely a head of its time. They pretty sweet imo.
We used get fox bodies with blown engines all the time and make them so crazy we called them murder suspects. I shoehorned many engines in those days. Growing up in Detroit it was what everyone wanted because they were so much fun. We crammed a 351 Cleveland in one and added a supercharger. We really tried to not twist the car up but ,well we shattered the back window and twisted the body. Great fun .
Chadsey High school c/o 1984,them Mustangs was everywhere, at the Castle.
I installed a 2.3 turbo from my old rear ended 86’ Thunderbird Turbocoupe into a 91’ 2.3 hatchback Mustang 5 speed, including many other Turbocoupe parts like the Trac Loc diff.
It’s my home built “SVO” almost. Lol
Fun to drive, even added AC and the Aluminum SVE radiator and 130 amp 3G kit.
Good gas mileage too, average 27mpg highway.
Awesome! Now, make more parts for us! Hood pads and spats would be nice!
Nice interior! Great vid!
I agree the SVO was ahead of it’s time. Had the price point been a little lower I believe sells would have been better. The torque and price of the GT back then just made it so much more appealing to the younger crowd at the time.
It didn't sell because it sound like crap. I love turbos but Ford 2.3 did not sound good at all.
Fuel prices rose in the early 1980's and Hot Rod Magazine announced the death of the V8, saying the Buick turbo V6 was the hot rod engine of the future. Ford had already made a turbo 4 cylinder model of the GT Mustang, so they stepped up to this SVO Mustang to go after the BMW customer. We could argue the turbo T bird was going after the Porsche 944 customer. Ironically the SVO was the handling and braking package the GT Mustang lacked that sent folks to the F bodies from GM
This was my favorite Mustang at the time. I was 16 when it came out and I saw one at the Ford dealer and it blew me away! Sadly it was way to expensive and people really didn't want a pinto engine in a Mustang.
The 5.0 LX was selling for about 10K and the if I remember correctly was around 17K. The LX was great in a straight line and would smoke the SVO. The SVO was made for twisty canyon roads, it would walk away from the LX. It would if been interesting to see what would if become of the SVO if more people took an interest in it. It was more European in nature then American.
Would love to have one in white.
SN95 would’ve been a great platform for this engine if Ford had tweaked it to about 200hp. I think it would’ve remained an option throughout the 90s and early 2000s, Maybe even made it’s way into the S197 platform since gas was up. It could’ve worked all the way up till the 2.3 Ecoboost would replace it.
Great car! Been updating my 84 svo for 5 years now. More parts please!
great vid landan! i love my 84 Svo, also liked the inclusion of the Slappers i was waiting for those to be mentioned! now if LMR can get some of the hard to find parts we can fully restore our SVO's with out having to use parts from dead cars. need that new trim!
I have a feeling this may come back for the s650. Also, superb editing/videography 👍
Nice to see some SVO love. My first car was an 84 SVO, still have it, but it’s due for a complete resto. Have a Jalapeño 86 like this one, minus the sunroof.
My father and I put this engine in a 98 ranger, it's pretty fun to drive
I believe 1984 SVOs were fitted with German made Goodyear NCT tires. The 1985 and 86 cars got the Gatorbacks.
Great job on this presentation. I always liked the Mustang SVO, especially 85 1/2 on.
Thanks! We appreciate it. -Landan
Great job for a summary. I own an original untouched 86 comp prep. Of all Mustangs I have I love it best. I had an 84 too for a while as a track car. Won 2 autocross championship with it.
I remember test driving the SVO when it first came out.
The 4 banger turbo model.
Wish I had bought it now. At the time I had a 4x4 truck with a 428CJ motor and a mid 70's "King Cobra" with 302.
Note: Bought the truck new in 77, paid $4500 for it. My first new vehicle. I was 19.
I loved this car back when it was new I couldn't afford them when new because I was trying to attend Jr college and work. I regret never getting my hands on one or that sleek 1979 5.0 that came in gray on black with the multiple colored ponies down the side.
I don't give too many "thumbs-up" to any YT videos (maybe 3-4 a year), but I gave this one one :)
Great video aboot a great car. Thank-you.
I had a black ‘84 SVO that I bought used in ‘88 when I turned 21. It had the crank windows and the shocks were white, not red. The Koni’s came with a little knob to adjust the shocks that was kept in the console. That sucker handled great and moved pretty good. Unfortunately a tree fell on it in a storm and it was never the same so I sold it for almost nothing. Dam shame.
I had a white 86. It had a bo port stage 2 head and cam. Stinger exhaust. it was fairly fast. Getting the SVO specific interior items were costly. The shift knob and the steering wheel horn pad especially. I always thought it would be cool to throw the new eco boost motor in it. Sadly, I had to sell it after I got out of the military.
oh how i love the SVO, let me count the ways ❤️❤️❤️
So happy I got the Hot Wheels and Target exclusive Auto World version of the Mustang. 🙏💙
Learned how to drive a stick on one of these back in the late 80's. Felt pretty cool driving around in one of these back as a 16 year old. It wasn't mine though.
Es increíble como saben tanto, me tienen bien sorprendido con éstos hermosos autos
Well done on the video LMR! Just makes me miss mine even more now that's its been found all cut up.
SVO gang
The SVO wasn’t the first Foxbody with 5 bolt hubs and wheels, the 1978 Fairmont and Zephyr were then Ford switched all Foxbody to 4 bolt hubs and wheels for the 1979 model year. The 1984 SVO got Goodyear NCT tires which were very disliked by some of the automobile press. 1985’s got Goodyear Gatorbacks.
Great video - thanks!
I worked on a bunch of those things at the dealer back in the day.
Before Al Gore invented the internet it was impossible to find parts. Sometimes you would hear a rumor about a yard that had one or reading the classified ads in those gas station car mags. Now it's tap tap on the ole Android. Great video btw. I enjoyed the 05-09 vid as I'm currently driving an 05 GT, love that car, even more than my 84 SVO- RIP
Great video! 🤙🏾
GREAT VIDEO!
Thanks! -Landan
Great video!! I’m the proud owner of a 1985 SVO Mustang. It’s not at original, but more of a Resto Mod. The 2.3 is long gone, and a 94 351w, and a TKO 500 transmission, 8.8 rear axle upgrade, are just a few of the Mods. Are you guys ever going to start making parts for the SVO’s?
I think it would be cool to put the new 2.3 with the 6 speed manual gearbox in it and upgrade the brakes.
Thing would be a beast!! And make sure it's the HPP model
@@kevinnorwood7355 maybe later on, but for now I’m pretty satisfied with it. I’ve got a stroker engine in the works, but definitely for a later date. Plus I’m still playing around with the suspension components. Just a little at a time.
Excellent video! I remember desperately wanting one of these in the 80’s. I am having a hard time visualizing the dark sage and dark blue colors in my memory though. Would still love to own one. Such a cool car!
Miss my 86, pretty stout for a 2.3.
Yay. LANDON!!!!
SVO!!!!
Do you make side spats for purchase?
Hey Calvin! We currently do not offer SVO-style side spats on our site. We're always pursuing new parts for 79-present Mustangs, so hopefully, this is something we can add in the future. Thanks! -Landan
... awesome 👌
Not a single mention of the GT turbo?
This video is about the SVO Mustang. -Landan
Why was it faster than a v8 if it made less torque?
It wasn’t. It handled better.
@@bobbarker1476 I asked him that question to see how smart he is on the SVO. It was quicker than the v8 because it had 3.73 gears. Yes it only made 240 lbs.-ft torque @ the crank but the wheels got more than the v8.
2.3 liter turbo fox
I tend the think the 86 headlamps look a little wonky. Why couldn’t they make a headlamp assembly like that on the LSC. That black gasket looks so aftermarket. The 84 headlamps look more like what the Camaro was doing.
I've never wanted a factory built hotrod. I would rather take a regular car, and fix it up my way. I just want a simple platform I can afford.
Isn't a SVO Mustang just a Mustang wanting to be a Thunderbird Turbo Coupe?