A general circulation model of the equatorial Pacific Ocean was used to simulate the 1982--1983 El Ni¿o event. The wind data set used to force the model is that of Florida State University (FSU). The results are presented here and compared with those from other simulations. The model results show that the simulation is successful in reproducing the major features of the 1982--1983 El Ni¿o such as the disappearance of the Equatorial Undercurrent, the pattern and magnitude of the sea surface temperature anomaly, and the variations of the thermocline. However, there is a delay of about 2--3 months in these events in the model compared with those observed. This is attributed to the wind stress forcing during 1982 in the eastern equatorial pacific, which is more intense in the FSU wind data set than in the National Meteorological center data set. Along the South American coast the model results show a persistent cooling before a slight warming in April 1983 during the event, which is not understood. ¿ American Geophysical Union 1990