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Makes › Ford United States › Mustang › Fox body › Mustang SVO (1984 model year) · Rare specification · 1984 Rare

Ford
Mustang SVO (1984 model year)

Intercooled 2.3 turbo SVO, first year

IDENTIFICATION CARD · FORD MUSTANG SVO (1984 MODEL YEAR) 1984
No licensed photograph yet. Photographs are published only when their licence permits it.
4,508BuiltFactory reported
0Chassis documentedin this archive
?SurvivingNot yet verified
Contents
  1. 01Overview
  2. 02Production & history
  3. 03Specifications
  4. 04Colours & options
  5. 05Individual cars
  6. 06Reference

01Overview

At a glance

Built
4,508 Built
Years
1984
Engine
Inline four, iron block and head, turbocharged and intercooled (air-to-air) · 2,300 cc / 2.3 LFactory: 2.3 L
Power
130 kW / 177 PSFactory: 175 hp · converted
Top speed
206 km/hFactory: 128 mph · converted
Body
Not yet verified
Designer
Not yet verified
In this archive
Not yet verified
Surviving
Not yet verified

Sources and any conflicting figures are in the sections below.

Why it matters

The SVO was the 1984 Mustang that replaced a V8 with an intercooled turbocharged four-cylinder in a bid to compete with European sports coupes. Road & Track called it possibly the best all-round car for the enthusiast driver the US industry had produced.

How rare is it?

Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.

Model rarityNot yet assessed
Specification rarityRare 4,508 · Built1,2
Colour rarityNot yet assessed
Individual rarityNot yet assessed
Historical rarityNot yet assessed
Survival rarityNot yet assessed

Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.

02Production & history

Production

Every figure says what it counts.

What is countedFigureBasisStatus
Factory package production1984 SVOs built 4,5081,2 Factory production Factory reported

Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.

History

The SVO was introduced for 1984 as a three-door only model from Ford's Special Vehicle Operations. It cost $15,596, above the V8 GT, and was no match for the GT in speed, so sales were not impressive. For 1985 and 1986 the turbo four was rated 205 and 200 hp.

Variants

How each version differs from the standard Mustang SVO (1984 model year).

No variants documented yet. Have a source? Contribute it.

03Specifications

Technical specifications

Engine

Engine familyNot yet verified
Engine codeNot yet verified
LayoutInline four, iron block and head, turbocharged and intercooled (air-to-air)3 Independently researched
Cylinders44 Independently researched
Displacement 2,300 cc / 2.3 LFactory: 2.3 L4 Independently researched
BoreNot yet verified
StrokeNot yet verified
Compression ratioNot yet verified
Fuel systemElectronic knock-sensor control of boost and spark timing; up to 14 psi boost3 Independently researchedCar and Driver October 1983 preview test of a pre-production SVO; some figures are estimates.
InductionTurbocharged with intercooler4 Independently researched
Power 130 kW / 177 PSFactory: 175 hp · converted4,1 Independently researchedModel year 1984 rating; 1985 and 1986 cars are rated 205 and 200 hp.
Power at 4,400 rpm3 Independently researchedCar and Driver October 1983 preview test of a pre-production SVO; some figures are estimates. Existing power value may differ from the 176 bhp estimate.
Torque 285 NmFactory: 210 lb-ft · converted3 Independently researchedCar and Driver October 1983 preview test of a pre-production SVO; some figures are estimates.
Torque at 3,000 rpm3 Independently researchedCar and Driver October 1983 preview test of a pre-production SVO; some figures are estimates.

Transmission & drivetrain

Gearbox5-speed manual3 Independently researched
Gears53 Independently researched
Driven wheelsRear3 Independently researched

Chassis, body & dimensions

ChassisNot yet verified
Front suspensionLincoln Continental forged lower control arms, adjustable Koni low-pressure gas-filled shocks, model-specific springs, bushings and anti-roll bar3 Independently researchedCar and Driver October 1983 preview test of a pre-production SVO; some figures are estimates.
Rear suspensionStandard Mustang four-link rear with new bushings, springs and gas-filled Koni shocks3 Independently researchedCar and Driver October 1983 preview test of a pre-production SVO; some figures are estimates.
BrakesFour-wheel disc brakes4 Independently researched
SteeringNot yet verified
Body constructionNot yet verified
Wheelbase 2,553 mmFactory: 100.5 in · converted3 Independently researched
Length 4,600 mmFactory: 181 in · converted3 Independently researched
Width 1,760 mmFactory: 69.1 in · converted3 Independently researched
Height 1,320 mmFactory: 51.9 in · converted3 Independently researched
Front trackNot yet verified
Rear trackNot yet verified
Kerb weight 1,407 kgFactory: 3,102 lb · converted3 Independently researched
Dry weightNot yet verified

Performance

Maximum speed 206 km/hFactory: 128 mph · converted3 Independently researchedRedline-limited, measured on a pre-production car.
0–100 km/hNot yet verified
0–60 mph 7.5 s3 Independently researchedCar and Driver October 1983 preview test of a pre-production SVO; some figures are estimates.
Standing ¼ mile 15.5 s3 Independently researchedTrap speed 90 mph. Car and Driver October 1983 preview test of a pre-production SVO; some figures are estimates.
Fuel tankNot yet verified

“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.

04Colours & options

Factory colours & interiors

Original paint and trim, with the number of cars in each where a source gives it.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Factory options & codes

Codes are shown exactly as written by the manufacturer.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

05Individual cars

Chassis register

Every documented car, with its colours, history and where it is now. Open a row for the full record. Known chassis are not automatically authenticated originals.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Competition history

Every race result of the individual cars, in date order. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Auction & sale history

Documented public sales of the individual cars. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

See one in person

Museums where an example of this car can be seen.

No example is documented on public display yet. Have a source? Contribute it.

06Reference

Identification guide

How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.

The SVO has a grille-less sloping nose, large halogen headlights, an asymmetrical hood scoop and a biplane rear spoiler. Inside it has Recaro seats, a Hurst shifter, a 140 mph speedometer and an 8000 rpm tachometer, with turbo boost, water temperature and oil pressure gauges.

Sources

Each number links to the exact facts it supports.

  1. 1
    1984 Ford Mustang: Ultimate In-Depth Guide Level A MustangSpecs
    • Hatchback SVO 4,508
    • power was raised to an impressive 175bhp
    Accessed 2026-11-12
  2. 2
    Old Cars Weekly – Car of the Week: 1984 Ford Mustang GT Level C
    • 4508 1984 SVOs built
    Accessed 2026-11-12
  3. 3
    Tested: 1984 Ford Mustang SVO Is a Driver's Pony Car (from the October 1983 issue) Level C Rich Ceppos · Car and Driver · 1983-10-01
    • turbocharged and intercooled 4-inline, iron block and head (Specifications)
    • electronic knock-sensor technology to control boost and spark timing; up to 14 psi of boost (Text)
    • Power: 176 bhp @ 4400 rpm (Specifications)
    • Torque: 210 lbs-ft @ 3000 rpm (Specifications)
    • TRANSMISSION 5-speed manual (Specifications)
    • 5-speed manual (Specifications)
    • front-engine, rear-wheel-drive (Specifications)
    • Lincoln Continental forged lower control arms and adjustable Koni low-pressure gas-filled shocks
    • standard Mustang four-link arrangement is carried over with new bushings, springs, gas-filled Konis
    • Wheelbase: 100.5 in (Specifications)
    • Length: 181.0 in (Specifications)
    • Width: 69.1 in (Specifications)
    • Height: 51.9 in (Specifications)
    • Curb weight: 3102 lb (Specifications)
    • Top speed (redline limited): 128 mph (Specifications)
    • Zero to 60 mph: 7.5 sec (Specifications)
    • Standing quarter-mile: 15.5 sec @ 90 mph (Specifications)
    Accessed 2026-11-13
  4. 4
    Ford Mustang History: 1984 Level B Shnack.com
    • four-cylinder
    • intercooled 2.3-liter turbocharged overhead-cam four-cylinder
    • intercooled 2.3-liter turbocharged
    • realizes 175 horsepower
    • four wheel disc brakes and 16-inch wheels
    Accessed 2026-11-12

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