1984 Ford Mustang

The 1984 Ford Mustang was part of the Third Generation that had been introduced in 1979 and remained in production through 1993. This generation had two different front-end styles, one lasting until 1986 and the other beginning in 1987 and continuing through 1993. The earlier version had a front end that was angled back and four rectangular headlights. In 1987, it received flush-composite headlamps, a grille-less nose, and rounded-off 'aero' styling.

In 1984, Ford added a fuel-injected version of the 5.0-liter V8 to the Mustang GT and fitted it with a new 4-speed automatic overdrive transmission for improved flexibility. The 1984 Mustang GT350 was Ford's officially recognized 20th Anniversary Mustang, honoring two decades of production since the original Pony Car - the Mustang. All anniversary cars were finished Oxford White with Canyon Red interior and treated with the nostalgic lower rocker GT350 triple red stripe, red body side moldings, Pony fender emblems, and unique anniversary dash badge alongside its own serialized vehicle number unique to each anniversary car. Production was limited with just 5,261 examples built in total. It was offered in both coupe and convertible body styles and with both motor options, the four-cylinder turbo, and the 5.0-liter V8. 2,602 coupes received the five-speed manual with the carbureted V8. The automatic cars had fuel injection. Of the 2,602 coupes, 651 were optioned with a flip-up open-air roof from the factory. Just 104 examples were turbocharger four-cylinder convertibles.

The base engine powering the Mustang was an overhead cam four-cylinder unit with a 140 CID displacement and 88 horsepower. The turbocharged version brought horsepower to 145 bhp. The SVO turbocharged version increased horsepower further, to 175 bhp at 4,400 RPM and 180 lb-feet of torque. The overhead-valve V6 engine had a lightweight aluminum head, a new throttle-body fuel injection system, 232 CID displacement, and 120 horsepower at 3,600 RPM. A 302 CID V8 was offered in both carbureted and fuel injection guises, with the 4-barrel Holley carbureted version offering 175 horsepower while the fuel-injected version was rated at 165 horsepower at 3,800 RPM. A high-output version of the carbureted V8 brought horsepower to 205 bhp.

A four-speed manual with floor shift controls was standard on the four-cylinder engine and a SelectShift three-speed automatic was optional. Steering was handled by a rack-and-pinion unit while braking was handled by discs in the front and drums at the rear. SVO versions had four-wheel discs.

The SVO was priced at nearly twice the cost of a base Mustang. All SVO models were finished in black, silver metallic, red metallic, or dark charcoal metallic. The interiors were all charcoal. The SVO was very well equipped that Ford only offered it with six additional options including power windows, power door locks, cassette player, leather seat trim, air conditioning, and flip-up sunroof. Standard equipment included a quick-ratio power steering, Traction-Lok rear axle, 8,000 RPM tachometer, leather-wrapped steering wheel, unique instrument panel appliques, narrow bodyside moldings, and unique C-pillar and rear light treatments.

The GL and GLX models of the previous year were no longer offered and both were replaced by the LX. The L and GT trim levels remained. GT models came with a V8 engine and an available overdrive automatic transmission. Previously only offered as a two-door notchback, the L could now be purchased as a notchback or the hatchback body style.

by Daniel Vaughan | Mar 2018