1983 Ford Mustang
Third generation · Fox-body 1979–1993
The long-running Fox-body, built on Ford’s Fox platform from 1979 to 1993.
The 1983 model year
Overview
The convertible returned for the first time since 1973, and the 5.0 HO jumped to 175 hp with a 4-barrel Holley carburetor. A new fuel-injected, turbocharged 2.3 (still no intercooler) replaced the old carbureted turbo, and a 3.8 V6 took over the six-cylinder slot. A facelift gave a softer front end. (Horsepower figures are SAE net.)
Specifications
- Engines
-
- 2.3 I4 90 hp
- 2.3 Turbo I4 (fuel-injected, no intercooler; Turbo GT) 145 hp
- 3.8 V6 (Essex) 112 hp
- 302 "5.0 HO" V8 (4-bbl) 175 hp
- Transmissions
- 4-speed manual, 5-speed manual, 3-speed automatic
- Body styles
- Coupe (notchback), Hatchback (3-door), Convertible (returned)
- Base price
- $6,727 (base coupe) ≈$21,200 today (inflation-adjusted) Original MSRP adjusted for inflation (CPI, 2024); not the car's current market/collector value. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, CPI-U (U.S. city average, all items), annual average.
- Production
- 120,873
Year over year
What changed
- The convertible returned after a 9-year absence (last offered in 1973).
- The 5.0 HO gained a 4-barrel Holley carburetor, rising to 175 hp.
- A new fuel-injected (but non-intercooled) 2.3 Turbo replaced the old carbureted turbo (Turbo GT; only ~483 built).
- A 3.8 V6 replaced the 3.3 inline-six.
- A facelift brought a sloped, restyled front end.
Living with it
Reliability & ownership notes
- The 175-hp 4-bbl 5.0 HO is durable; the Holley carb benefits from periodic tuning.
- The 1983 fuel-injected 2.3 Turbo (Turbo GT) is rare and short-lived — parts and known-good cores are scarce.
- Convertible-specific: check the top frame, structure, and chassis flex points; inspect for rust.
Worth knowing
Notable
- Return of the convertible — a milestone year.
- The one-year 1983 Turbo GT is an oddity collectors note.
Sources
- Wikipedia — "Ford Mustang (third generation)"
- FoxStang — 5.0 Fox-body engine specs
- MustangSpecs — per-year base MSRP
- Hagerty
Other Third generation years
Explore the Fox-body generation → All Third generation · Fox-body years →