Performance Review: Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 Convertible - [1983]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Ford Mustang Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 Convertible is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1983. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1984 Audi Quattro Sport 2.2 T and the 1984 Ferrari 288 GTO.This particular Ford Mustang has a 4942cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V8's includes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The Mustang shares its Petrol V8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Mustang's Rear Wheel Drive, Cabriolet combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1405 kgs (3097 lbs) this makes the Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 Convertible in the same weight category as the 2022 Lotus Emira First Edition 3.5 V6 Supercharged Auto or the give or take 50kg.

The Ford Mustang shares the same bhp with the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (197 bhp)

In terms of power the 4942cc 16V V8 engine produces 175 bhp (130 kW) @ 4000 rpm similar to the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (197 bhp) or the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 245 lb-ft (332.1 Nm) @ 4000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (236 lb-ft) or the 2020 Toyota Camry TRD 3.5 V6 (267 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Ford Mustang you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2006 Pontiac G6 GTP 3.9 V6 (149.5 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Ford Mustang.

The Ford Mustang has a Power to weight ratio of 124.5 bhp per ton and 174.3 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1983 Mustang competing with the 2006 Pontiac G6 GTP 3.9 V6 (149.5 bhp per ton) or the 1978 Ford Capri 3000S X Pack (149.5 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Ford Mustang generating around 174.3 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2001 BMW 3 Series M3 GTR E46 (199.2 lb-ft per ton) or the 2020 Lotus Elise Sport 220 1.8 Supercharged (199.1 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 8.00 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 8.3 secs, this made the Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 Convertible as fast as the 2011 Citroen DS5 1.6 THP 200 (8.00 secs) the 2009 Porsche Cayenne 3.0 V6 Turbo Diesel (8.00 secs) the 2008 Alfa-Romeo Mito 1.4 155 T-Jet Veloce (8.00 secs) the or the 2007 Fiat Bravo 1.9 Sport Multijet (8.00 secs). This Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 Convertible is also faster than the 2014 Peugeot 308 GT 2.0 Blue HDI 180 (8.10 secs) the 2008 Fiat Grande Punto 1.4 T-Jet 155 Abarth (8.10 secs) the 2006 Volkswagen-VW Golf GT TDi 170 (8.10 secs) the and the 2005 Vauxhall-Opel Astra 2.0 Turbo SRI (8.10 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Mustang and the 1989 Lotus Elan SE

When talking about the performance of the Ford Mustang on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 16.38 secs @ 83.5 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1989 Lotus Elan SE (16.31 secs), the 2005 Cadillac STS 4.6 V8 Sport Luxury (16.31 secs), and the 1986 BMW 3 Series M3 E30 (16.34 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1983 version of the Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 Convertible has a maximum speed of 123mph.

Top Speed of the 1983 Mustang equals the 2012 Peugeot 208 1.6 THP (134 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1983 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 Convertible then how about the 2012 Peugeot 208 1.6 THP (134 mph), the 2009 Peugeot RCZ 2.0 HDi 200 GT (134 mph), or the 2008 Alfa-Romeo Mito 1.4 155 T-Jet Veloce (134 mph).

Related Links:

1983 Mustang Rivals List.

A Brief History of Ford

Car Comparison