Hertz Rent-a-Racer: 1985 Ford Mustang SVO
About 15 years ago I purchased an 85 SVO that looked like a dilapidated version of this next car for exactly 1/10th of the asking price. Was it a good deal? Sure. And I sold it a few years later for about what I put into it…however, that car hasn’t appreciated to anywhere near the asking price of this thing and I have to assume that is because my car wasn’t a one of 60 examples of the Hertz Rent-A-Racer and I expect that this next car will always be worth more than the basic version, but the asking price is less than that of recent examples. Although, it appears this buyer picked the car up from Barret-Jackson in 2017 for $4k. Find this 1985 Ford Mustang SVO offered for $12000 in San Leandro, CA via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.
From the seller:
1985 ford mustang svo
VIN: 1FABP28T8FF176241
condition: excellent
cylinders: 4 cylinders
drive: rwd
fuel: gas
odometer: 62200
paint color: white
size: compact
title status: clean
transmission: manual
type: coupe
Selling my lovely and classic Ford SVO Mustang I purchased from Barret Jackson many years ago in Nevada. She’s a beauty to drive and she gets me compliments everywhere I go. Not desperate to sell just testing the waters. Just passed SMOG test and has a Clean California title with ONLY 62K ORIGINAL MILES. Don’t hesitate to call, text or email me if you have any questions.
1 of 60 Mustang SVOs purchased by Hertz for a new Rent-A-Racer program in 1985
SVO was selected because there were no Shelby models to choose from
1 of 15 Oxford White Rent-A-Racers Version B known to exist
Shipped to the Hertz office in Dallas
Unrestored
TURBOCHARGED 2.3L 4-cylinder engine
Air-to-air intercooler and offset hood scoop
5-speed manual transmission
4-wheel power disc brakes
Koni shocks
Bi-Wing rear spoiler
Original charcoal cloth interior
Hertz etched the VIN of the car into the moonroof, window glass and wheels as a means of anti-theft
16 inch aluminum wheels
Lear-Siegler seats with pump-up lumbar support
Leather-trimmed Hurst shifter
Elite Marti Report
Similar to the Shelby GT350H from 1966, Hertz Rental Cars added 60 high-performance SVO Mustangs to its rental-car fleet in 1985. This unrestored 1985 SVO is one of those special cars: one of only 60 built for Hertz and one of only 15 in Oxford white known to exist. The SVO was originally shipped to the Hertz office in Dallas, where its VIN was etched into the moon roof, window glass and wheels as anti-theft protection. Like all 1985 SVO Mustangs, this Hertz version is equipped with the 175 HP 2.3L 4-cylinder with turbocharger and air-to-air intercooler, which pulls its cooling air from the functional off-set hood scoop. Introduced in 1984, the SVO Mustang was the first vehicle produced by Ford’s new Special Vehicle Team. Built to compete against import cars like the Datsun 280-ZX and Toyota Supra, the SVO Mustang was loaded with extras like a charcoal interior with Lear Siegler bucket seats with inflatable lumbar support, leather-wrapped steering wheel, air conditioning, power windows and door locks, and an AM/FM stereo with cassette and Premium sound. With its mission as a car “built by driving enthusiasts for driving enthusiasts,” the SVO came standard with a 5-speed with a leather-covered Hurst shifter, wider brake pedal for improved heel-and-toe shifting and a dead pedal for driver bracing while pushing through tight corners. The SVO was the first Mustang with 4-wheel disc brakes and 16-inch wheels, which used five lugs instead of four. Adjustable Koni shocks provided two settings, either cross-country or competition. Externally, the SVO stood out with its aerodynamic front fascia with flush-fit headlights, fog lights, off-set hood scoop, spats at the wheel openings and bi-plane rear spoiler. Remarkably, this SVO even retains its original VIN-etched moonroof, window glass, and wheels, lending to its authenticity. Priced at nearly $2,500 over the sticker price of a Mustang GT, Ford sold only 1,951 SVOs for 1985. This one is documented as a Hertz rental car by its Elite Marti Report and original Owner’s manual. Notable for being both unrestored and rare.
See a better way to take your rental home with ya? tips@dailyturismo.com
I’ve never actually driven one but I’ve had people tell me they were exponentially better than GT’s of the same vintage.
I’ve driven both. Stock for stock, the SVO is better in the corners, but nothing a modest suspension upgrade couldn’t handle for the 5.0
I drove one for about half an hour. Nice car if you don’t mind turbo lag. I can’t understand why a daily rental that numerous hackers have driven is worth more than a privately owned one.
I coveted these back in my high school days, by then even the decent ones had a sagging mid spoiler. It’s been a while since I’ve seen one on the road. If It were my money I’d still go with the GT over this.
The real Foxbody money is in the 5.0 coupes with man trans, they are unobtanium now… and continue to rise.
LOL, that sagging mid spoiler… forgot about that. I can appreciate the difference the SVO bring, but yeah, the 5.0 platform is the way to go. Values continue to rise and parts availability for both OEM and aftermarket is abundant.