1982 was the year that Ford’s Mustang finally shook off the funk of the Malaise Era and started getting it’s act into gear. It was a long time coming. The Mustang II Cobra started working on the looks department and managed to inject a bit of visual spice onto the Power Pinto. For 1979, the Fox platform and a larger yet lighter Mustang appeared, just in the nick of time. There was a light relapse for 1980 and 1981 with the hiatus of the 5.0L V8…the abjectly pathetic 4.2L lump did little to wow the V8 crowd, and the turbocharged 2.3L, while peppy for a four-banger, had it’s share of problems. Say it with me now: “early turbo issues!” But for 1982, all was starting to become well again: the 5.0L was back and by early 1980s standards, ready for war, and war it needed to bring, since it’s natural enemies, the GM F-cars, were brand new, toned up, lighter and ready to play.
The early four-eye GT and Cobras have the look, and when built right flat rock with a hot 302, but let’s look at the first clue that this Candy Apple Red T-Top Mustang GT isn’t what it appears to be. First impression: those wheels. It’s been five-lug swapped, using a Lincoln Versailles rear axle and SN-95 front equipment. Certainly a clue, but that isn’t uncommon. Picking up anything else? No? Take a look at that little badge on the front fender…actually, wait…those don’t show up in the photos well. Instead, let’s just throw it all out there to see:
Well…damn. Okay, then. That sticker isn’t lying…that’s 7.5L of torque-on-demand sitting in the engine bay like nothing’s wrong. “It makes great torque”, the seller says. Yeah, no kidding…we bet the 17″ rubber bands out back can barely keep up with what’s going through the reverse-pattern C6 and the 4.11 geared rear axle. And would you believe the “never raced” tag line? At least there are welded-in connectors to keep the engine better suited to hustling a Mark IV around from turning the Fox into a pretzel.
Other than the obvious, there isn’t much more to this Mustang. Some interior elements from a 1986 model have made their way inside, but overall the car presents as an excellent restoration. Unfortunately, the car is up for sale due to age and health issues, which we are never pleased about seeing, but here’s hoping that this monster finds a loving home that will take care of it the way it should be treated.
By the way, it’s a no-reserve auction. Think about what you’d shell out to build it…
eBay Link: 1982 Ford Mustang GT
Love the 82 GTs! So hard to find in any condition,I’ll be curious what $$ it brings. Needs and OD/GearVendors or manual swap and if money is no object FI added. I’m having to thin the herd or I would be looking for the money to buy it and a plane ticket. Someone buy it and show it off at Drag Week please!
How the hell did he get a 460 in that engine bay?
Or is it a 460 sticker on a 302?
Either way its an ace car and should be in my garage!
You can’t tell a 302 from a 460??
People have built 460 powered fox bodies since the mid 80’s If you look you can find instructions on how to do it.
460s are no wider than a Ford mod motor, and those fit in the SN95 cars from the factory with the same distance between the strut towers as a Fox …
“Well…damn. Okay, then. That sticker isn’t lying…that’s 7.3L of torque-on-demand sitting in the engine bay like nothing’s wrong. “It makes great torque”, the seller says.”
*7.3L…..no no, it isn’t a diesel. 460l is 7.5L
Corrected. Thank you!
Nice ride. If iron headed it hits a wall at 4500rpm. Aftermarket aluminum heads good for about 100hp bump with broader usable rpm range + 60lb weight reduction. Can you say drag radials?
You could probably count the number of Fox bodies down here in Oz on two hands, and I was fortunate enough to be custodian of a tough little ’86 GT at one stage.
Let me assure you Geordie that you can fit a 460 in them – I measured it!
At the very least I was going to put a 351 Clevo in it, you can almost stand in the engine bay with its 302W, as opposed to our local Falcons and their shock towers.
This thing is awesome. Yes please!
I have a 84 and I love it , light , easy to work on , but as I learned the hard way , they can rust in some hidden areas , like the door post behind the hinges and inner framerail below the shock tower .
And in the roof above the rear quarter windows. But hey, can’t see any of that from the drivers seat
Very nice Mustang. Love the 80s style and the t-tops