At $16,750, Is This 1986 Ford Mustang SVO A BFD?

Today’s Nice Price or No Dice Mustang is a model that Ford intended could compete with BMW’s E30. This one has been breathed upon, so it might still be able to keep up with the pack. Let’s decide if it’s worth finding out.

Ford Has Built 150,000 Mustang Mach-Es Already

It has long been lore that one year of a dog’s life equates to seven years of human existence. Ferraris account for their mileage in much the same vein as do dogs years, the high-strung sports cars being more demanding of their various parts than normal cars. Point in fact, the 2001 Ferrari 360 Modena we looked at yesterday had accumulated a mere 13,722 miles to the point of its sale. Despite that, it has major preventative maintenance on the horizon and needs new tires, the current rubber having aged out rather than worn down. All that represents substantial expense and, as many of you mentioned in the comments, called into question the seller’s claim that the car’s $88,500 price tag was “market appropriate.” The result was an undeniable rebuke in the form of an 76 percent No Dice loss.

One aspect of yesterday’s Ferrari that worked in its favor was its factory appearance. Heck, it even still had the factory tool kit, something that often finds its way spirited out of the car and onto eBay. This raises the question of how much unique and/or rare models benefit or suffer from aftermarket massaging.

Today’s 1986 Ford Mustang SVO is one of 3,382 built in this, the final model year, and one of just 9,844 made by Ford’s Special Vehicles Operations (SVO) over its three-year run. At the time, the turbo four-cylinder SVO Mustang sat as range-topper for the Mustang line, even above the higher-output V8-powered GT. That was owed to the SVO being far more advanced, featuring disc brakes all around—a first for the Mustang—as well as an advanced electronically-controlled fuel injection system that could be mapped for regular or premium gas with just the flick of a dash-mounted switch.

The SVO offered better handling than the GT as well, featuring a faster steering rack, upgraded suspension components, and a smaller, lighter engine that was compact enough to be mounted behind the front axle line. Ford’s target for the model in handling performance was the BMW E30, and it came darn close. And that was at about two-thirds the price.

This all makes it an interesting bit of pony car history and a rare and unique car on its own. That’s why this particular SVO ’Stang has some ’splainin’ to do.

As noted in the ad, the car has been imbued with what described as “Tasteful mods” and is claimed to make over 300 horsepower from its “no expense spared” Pinto four. That’s 100 more than what the factory thought prudent.

Admittedly, the 53,675-mile hatchback looks clean inside and out, including under the hood. The car’s changes, however, are immediately noticeable. Whether they are for the better is up for debate.

The first thing that is noticeable is the paint. The Dark Gray Metallic on the body looks to be the factory hue and is in excellent condition, but the car’s factory black rub strips on the bumpers have been blended in with a more subtle light gray. The wheels are also factory but have been paid some attention by way of what looks to be a heavy polish.

In the cabin, the factory seats, dash, and three-spoke SVO-embossed steering wheel have been accentuated by a cueball-topped chrome arm for the Hurst shifter. Interestingly, the factory AM/FM/cassette head unit remains unmolested.

It’s under the hood where the major changes have taken place. All of the intake plumbing has been replaced, as has the small engine-topping air-to-air intercooler for bigger tubing and a larger behind-the-grille exchanger. This means that the car’s functional hood scoop is now useless for anything other than allowing rainwater to drip on the turbo.

That shouldn’t be a big deal, though, since no one would purposefully drive a car of this nature in a downpour. This is more of a Saturday morning car meet contender or a canyon carver that shows off the joys of a wholly analog driving experience. According to the ad, all of the work has been documented and there are receipts. It’s described as “Well sorted and SUPER FAST… with excellent all around driving manners.” The title is clean and the price tag is $16,750.

Per the seller, we “wont find a cleaner low mile SVO near this price.” That may be the case, but does that still make it a good deal? What’s your take on this modded Mustang and that $16,750 price? Is that a bargain for a pony that’s been primped and pumped up? Or, do the mods ruin what made this Mustang unique and desirable?

You decide!

Los Angeles, California, Craigslist, or go here if the ad disappears.

H/T to RevUnlimiter for the hookup!

Help me out with NPOND. Hit me up at remslie@kinja.com and send me a fixed-price tip. Remember to include your Kinja handle.