Happy 20th anniversary Mustang! The year 1984 marked 20 years of Mustangs and Ford and the fans were all thrilled the Mustang had made it so long. In fact, the Mustang had become part of the landscape of vehicles in the United States and across the world due to its overall success through the years.
The majority of the 1983 design features were used again in 1984. However, some changes did take place and the lineup had a new member, too. The big plans for 1984 were to include a 5.0 V8 with 205 horsepower in the drivetrain lineup, but there were some problems that occurred in development that put the plan on the back burner. Fans were upset, but willing to wait. Of course, sales in 1984 were probably affected by the fact that the more powerful V8 had not been introduced.
The basic Mustang that would carry on until 1993 was based on the 1984 'Stang. The base L model, LX, and GT made up the 1984 Mustang lineup. Each level had additional options and extras for the consumer. There were several additional engines offered on the Mustang to feed the muscle lovers' appetite not to mention plenty of extras in the way of options created by the special vehicles operations. Some examples of these extras included a turbocharged 2.3L and four wheel disc brakes.
1984 Mustang Lineup
Powertrain and Performance
Consumers had been anxiously awaiting the year when higher performance Mustangs were introduced once again. True muscle car fans had really fallen in love with the original ponies only to have them taken away in the early '70s. However, the model year 1984 presented some engines that had enough horsepower to make the muscle car fans turn their heads. Of course, the most powerful engine that Ford had promised still was not introduced in 1984 as planned, but Mustang fans had their fingers crossed waiting for the day it would appear. The changeover did not happen for 1984 because of piston problems in the prototypes. Fortunately, all problems were worked out before the 1985 model year and the '85 GT rolled out with 210 rumbling horsepower!
A version of the HO V8 was introduced in 1984 and it was fuel injected and powered out 165 horsepower. The HO V8's automatic transmission also boasted a fourth overdrive gear. The Mustang GT also had some extra power with a 145 horsepower turbo four engine. The model year 1984 would be the turbo four's last.
The suspension underwent some changes in 1984 as well. Another change was the midyear GT 350 anniversary edition that "borrowed" the name from Carroll Shelby without his permission. The anniversary edition was available on convertible and hatchbacks and slightly more than 5,000 of the anniversary editions were produced before Shelby and Ford signed an agreement that the name would no longer be used.
The SVO Mustang was a happy surprise for Mustang fans. It was sophisticated in many ways other Mustangs were not. It had an original exterior design that really set it apart from the rest. The front end had no grille and the headlamps were square with only a single one on each side. The rear spoiler was a double and unlike the other Mustangs. A 2.3L turbocharged four powered the SVO and it boasted an outstanding 175 horsepower. Some of the other bells and whistles of the SVO included four wheel disc brakes and 16 inch wheels that made braking considerably more efficient. The 1984 SVO Mustang was extravagant in ways other Mustangs were not. Of course, the price of this fast, smooth pony was certainly higher than the other Mustangs on the market at the time. The base cost of the SVO was a hefty $15,596. Interestingly enough, the SVO never was as fast as the V8 Mustang GT and although it had bells, whistles, and originality it was not as good a seller as Ford had anticipated.
The Mustang GT with the 5.0L engine did not see many changes from 1983 to 1984. The V4 302 engine was the exact same as 1983 except for the fact that it had a bit different choke design than the year before. The change was made in order to eliminate the manifold heat tubes.
The "Turbo GT" engine was also available in 1984. It was a turbocharged four cylinder and could be purchased in either the hatchback or the convertible. It was a very similar engine to the 1983 Turbo GT four cylinder in line engine. The 1984 Turbo GT had the same interior, tires, transmission, wheels, and blackout trim as the 5.0L GT. The 1984 5.0L GTs were different than the '83s because no hood scoop was used. However, mid year Ford returned to the hood scoop style for the '84 GT because the engine was so large it needed the extra space. Consumers could only purchase the turbo GT with five speed transmission and a 3.45:1 axle in 1984.
The AOD/CFI GT was also introduced in the middle of the 1984 model year. It had an optional 165 horsepower 5.0L engine that utilized fuel injection. Also, the 3.27:1 axle ratio and four speed automatic transmission were used. The 4V five speed sported a 3.08:1 axle ratio and powered out 174 horsepower. It was carried over from the previous model year and could only be purchased with the T5 transmission.
The GT suspension was new in 1984. It resulted in improved suspension geometry from lowered pivot points in the rear control arms on the lower and upper ends by one half inch and one fourth inch respectively. The traction bars from the past were replaced by quad shocks. The model year 1984 also saw an increase in the rear anti roll bar from .67 inches to .79 inches.
Exterior
The exterior of the 1984 Mustang was not so different from the 1983 model. The black hood treatment stayed in place while 1984 saw the fake hood scoop take a leave of absence. The turbo GTs still had hood scoops, though. New additions from Mustangs in the past included a front air dam complete with fog lights while the rear spoiler was softened and smoothed. The GT received the blackout trim that was only for the GTs and could only be purchased in bright canyon red, black, bright copper glow, silver metallic, light desert tan, medium canyon red glow, oxford white, and dark charcoal metallic.
Exterior colors available for other Mustangs included black, silver metallic, bright canyon red, bright copper glow, oxford white, medium canyon red, bright copper glow, dark academy blue metallic, light desert tan, desert tan glow, and light academy blue glow.
Interior
The interior of the GT was outstanding. It was blacked out and sported a warning display that let the driver know when the vehicle needed to be filled up, when to replace washer fluid, and even when to replace a tail lamp or brake lamp. An electronic digital clock was also available. The vinyl bucket seats were standard and available in desert tan, charcoal, and canyon red. A rear bench seat that was slit and foldable was new this year.
Some great options were available including TRX wheels and tires, Sports Performance bucket seats, sunroof, power windows and locks, air conditioning, T tops, interval wipers, rear defrost, tilt wheel, light group, speed control, and a wide selection of radios.
Other available factory options for the Mustangs in 1984 included a premium sound system, tinted glass, vinyl seat trim and more. The available interior colors for all Mustangs other than the GT included charcoal, cadet blue, canyon red, and desert tan. Convertibles were available with white/red, white/blue, and white/charcoal.
Final Thoughts
The 1984 Mustang didn't sell like wildfire, but it did fairly well. Consumers were upset the new higher horsepower engine had not been introduced and it has been speculated that many buyers held off buying until this engine was available in 1985. Perhaps this is part of the reason the Mustang did not sell so well in 1984 despite so many improvements and the second model year of the reintroduced convertible.
Fortunately, the engine mistakes of the earlier '80s were not repeated, more horsepower was available, and power and performance were highly improved. Basically, 1984 was a good year for Mustang. Not an outstanding one, but a good one!
