1986 Ford Mustang

The 1986 Ford Mustang was part of the Third Generation Mustang, introduced in 1979 and produced through 1993. It was based on the larger Fox platform that had initially been developed for the 1978 Ford Fairmont and Mercury Zephyr. With an increased wheelbase and larger bodies, the Mustang offered more interior space for four passengers, as well as more cargo capacity and space in the engine bay. Body styles included a coupe (a.k.a. notchback), hatchback, and convertible.

In 1982, the Cobra trim level was replaced by the GT that included a specially-modified high-output 5.0-liter engine. A year later, the convertible body style returned after a nine-year absence. Also for 1983, the front fascia was restyled with a new grille housing the 'Blue Oval' Ford emblem, the first use of this emblem.

1984 was the 20th Anniversary of the Mustang and to celebrate, a Special GT350 model in white with red interior and red lower-bodyside rocker stripes became available. Also new this year was the 2.3-liter, turbocharged intercooled 4-cylinder Mustang SVO with unique bodywork.

Slight styling changes were applied in 1985 to the front-fascia, complete with a four-hole integral air dam below the bumper, a wide slot grill with angled sides located below a Ford oval badge and between quad rectangular headlamps. The side marker lenses were angled to match the front fenders.

The 1986 Mustang continued to be offered as an LX two-door sedan, hatchback, and convertible, a GT hatchback and convertible, and SVO. The base engine was an overhead inline four-cylinder unit with a 1-barrel carburetor and 88 horsepower. An optional V6 with 232 cubic-inch displacement had a cast-iron block, aluminum head, electronic fuel injection, and 120 horsepower. The 90-degree, overhead-valve V8 with a 302 cubic-inch displacement and sequential fuel injection brought horsepower to 200 hp at 4,000 RPM. The SVO added a turbocharged four-cylinder unit with a 140 cubic-inch displacement, electronic fuel injection, and 200 horsepower. A floor-shift four-speed manual transmission was standard on four-cylinder engines. A five-speed manual was standard on the V-8 and turbocharged engines. A SelectShift three-speed automatic was optional on the four-cylinder and standard on the V-6. The five-speed manuals with the V8 had an upshift indicator light. Disc brakes were in the front and drums at the rear, except on the SVO which had four-wheel discs.

The base LX trim level had bodyside striping, power steering, power brakes, and additional amenities such as the luxury sound package, an AM/FM stereo radio, and interval wipers. Pricing began at $7,190 for the notchback and rose to $12,820 for the convertible.

The GT package came standard with Goodyear Eagle VR performance tires, quick-ratio power steering, articulated front sport seats, and a new high-output 302 CID V8 with multi-port fuel injection backed by a five-speed manual gearbox. Body styles included a convertible and hatchback, with the base price of the hatchback beginning at $10,700 while the convertible listed for $14,520.

The SVO trim level (first offered in 1984 from Ford's then-new Special Vehicle Operations), priced at $15,272 for the hatchback (the only body style) had a computer-controlled 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine with an intercooled turbocharger and multi-port fuel injection. A five-speed gearbox with Hurst shifter and short, quick throws was standard. Other standard features included Koni shocks adjustable to cross-country and competition settings, 4-wheel disc brakes (a first for Mustang), new Quadra-Shock rear suspension with horizontally mounted shocks to dampen wheel hop, leather-wrapped Hurst shifter, bucket seats with inflatable lumbar support and 16-inch aluminum wheels with five lugs instead of the four like other Fox-body Mustangs. The interiors featured a wider brake pedal for enhanced heel-and-toe shifting and a dead pedal for driver bracing in hard turns. Air conditioning, power windows and door locks, and an AM/FM radio with cassette and Premium Sound were also part of the package. The exterior combined form and function with an aerodynamic nose, flush-mount headlights, fog lights, hood with functional off-set scoop, spats at the wheel openings, and a unique bi-wing rear spoiler.

The SVO had been updated mid-year 1985 with 3.73:1 gears and more power from a revised camshaft, split exhaust system, a one-pound increase in turbocharger boost, and a reworked intake.

3,379 examples of the SVO were built in the final year for the Mustang SVO.

The 1987 Ford Mustang received a significant styling including a new front and rear fascia, aero headlamps, and additional lower bodyside moldings.

by Daniel Vaughan | Aug 2020