This 1988 Ford Thunderbird Turbo Coupe is a gorgeous survivor, with just over 41,000 miles and equipped with the preferred 5-speed manual. As a later Turbo Coupe, it has full boost in all gears, as opposed to the early cars that excluded the first two gears from max boost pressure. Aside from the performance benefits, the Turbo Coupe looks sharp courtesy of its unique alloy wheels and special black and red trim. This Turbo Coupe is equipped with a power moonroof, 3.55 Traction-Lok rear axle, adjustable suspension, four wheel disc brakes, and more. Find it here on eBay with a Buy-It-Now of $16,000 and the option to submit a best offer.

I had a couple of restless nights grappling whether I should buy one of these in very deep project car territory. OK, the Turbo Coupe in question was borderline abandoned, but it was a 5-speed and I thought I’d absolutely want one. Here’s what kept from moving forward: the adjustable suspension, which was basically obsolete and impossible to find parts for. I had already been through one car – an ill-fated project known as the Subaru XT6 – and it, too, had an advanced suspension that relied on air bags for support. Speaking of support, there was none – parts supply was non-existent and there was no aftermarket solution for Thunderbirds with tired electronic suspensions.

Ford was pretty deep into turbocharging by the time the middle 80s rolled around, and actually delivering decent results with this alternative to sheer engine size. The turbocharged and intercooled four cylinder may have not sounded much like a V8, but the Thunderbird Turbo Coupe certainly got out of its own way and gave the company’s big body luxury coupe a completely new personality. The seller notes there are no outstanding engine issues and no spotting on the ground from fluid leaks. The short list of issues largely focuses on annoying fixes, like a radio that will sometimes adjust the volume on its own.

The Turbo Coupes came with nicely bolstered bucket seats and two-tone cloth upholstery. The seller notes that the dash has a small crack in it, but that an original, replacement dash with zero cracks is included in the sale. Despite the low mileage, the Turbo Coupe has circulated through the hands of multiple owners, from individuals to dealers alike, but they’ve all clearly been committed to keeping this survivor-grade Turbo Coupe in mint condition. Numerous replacement parts have been added over the years, and the seller confirms that receipts and records of this work will accompany the Super Coupe. What’s your turbo flavor: a Mustang SVO or a Turbo Coupe like this?