One of my favorite super sedans from the 1980s is the first generation Ford Taurus SHO. More than the second generation models, this early Taurus platform captured why factory-build hotrods are so well-loved: it kept the boring vanilla-wrapper family sedan looks, added some ground effects and a honkin’ Yamaha-built motor with a stick shift. It doesn’t get any better than that (for me), and this 45,000-mile example here on eBay appears to be a wonderful survivor.
The ground effects kit, upsized mesh wheels, unique grill and embossed “SHO” lettering are all unique features of Ford’s family-friendly hotrod. To me, this is a terrific alternative to BMW’s E28 M5, which is now trading hands for upwards of $50K and up. True, the M5 has a handbuilt Motorsports engine, but the SHO isn’t suffering from pedigree with the high-revving Yamaha-constructed motor up front. Although it is sadly front-wheel drive, the SHO is also much cheaper to maintain. At the moment, this example is approaching $10K with no reserve.
And yes, while the interior is distinctly American, you still got the row-it-yourself option with sport leather bucket seats, upgraded stereo equipment and more, helping justify the SHO’s increased MSRP over the next highest-priced Taurus model. This example is said to be a recent rescue from a longtime one-owner who is elderly and took great care of this SHO – but hasn’t driven it in many years. The seller notes that a full mechanical refurb should be performed, and that the SHO will come with its original tires, owner card and brochure.
Now, while the SHO may be cheaper to own than an M5, the motors do have needs – and some specialized service requirements that will make it more expensive to own than a Mercedes-Benz W124 or regular 5-Series sedan. The 60,000 mile service is the big one, which includes a host of maintenance repairs including replacement of the water pump, crankshaft position sensor, drive belts, plugs/wires and replacing the shims that contact the camshaft. Invasive, yes – but once it’s done, the driving experience should be unfettered.
Cool vintage sleeper! The 24-valve V-6 engine produces 220 hp. From a standing start, it can reach 60 mph in 6.7 seconds. Its top speed is 143 mph. For a four door sedan, not bad looking, either. I’ve had a couple of the Taurus wagons and a Sable wagon. Fairly decent performers and good handling as well as dependable. I liked each one of them.
Nice clean car, should bring pretty good money.
Hi. I just typed 1989 Ford Taurus Sho dash cover on the internet and read the story about the 45K mile survivor and all the comments. My wife and I purchased a new 1989 Currant Red Sho in March of 1990; left over on dealer lot. It was our daily driver until around 2000 at 70000 miles. It currently has 73648 miles and has been garage kept and covered since 2000. We did have it repainted the same color in 2000 because the red was loosing its luster and has had all recommended service repairs, including a replacement upgraded clutch at 28000 miles. The only broken item on the car is a crack in the dash over the speedometer cluster and the passenger rear window will not close entirely. I still love taking it for an occasional Sunday drive and it will still smoke both front tires from a standing start.
After graduating college, as a gift to myself I decided to purchase a car that was fun to drive. Through a relationship with a Ford dealership I had worked at I was presented an opportunity to purchase a Thunderbird SC or Taurus SHO. The T-Bird was an automatic and the SHO was exactly like the one in this story. I picked the SHO! This car was the best sleeper available from a US automaker at that time. I was never disappointed with my purchase. I can honestly say that car is one of the few that I regret selling. I hope that whoever wins the auction will use and enjoy it.
You know the funny thing, I knew the SC had an automatic option but in all the years I’ve not seen a non-manual transmission one. LX – yes, SC – no.
Seemed like most SC owners liked to row their own.
The other thing, that body style was a head banger getting in and out if you were a tall person DAMHIK.
Expired California plates from 1998.
Whoever buys it had better check into that if they intend on keeping it in California.
Miguel, those DMV fees from 1998 will add up quickly . Twenty years of past due fees will cost nearly half of the price of the car.
EReminds me of Tim Allen’s Taurus in Santa Clause. Always liked that car.
Would be a great sleeper today.
AC system is a “not fun” thing either. They built the car around it FYI.
Badniki what Ford back in that era was easy to work on I can answer that NONE OF THEM especially the front wheel drive cars
This was a way out of getting neutered by the minivan craze of the late 80’s. Growing family? Minivan…. This had room for the kids, couple of hockey bags, groceries whatever. Minivans could be had with V6’s but largely fell to pieces when abused. These could take abuse. But they deteriorated so fast. Flat seats, rattles. It was what it was
Really like the car, glad it was submitted ! A neighbor bought a “SHO” Taurus to show us up, (pun intented). Worked on our old V-8’s in our late teens. Just taking a ride in that sedan with the 50 year old guy jamming the gears was very impressive. Yes guys, USA 1989 ! First time I felt such solid acceleration and torque in a quiet cabin. The Yamaha V-6 was solid…Ended up being the same design for the venerable Ecoboost engine 20+ years strong.
I remember reading a comparison test between the SHO and a plain-Jane Maxima in one of the car mags at the time , and if my memory serves me the Maxima won overall… kind of like with Oldsmobile and the Quad 4, the big 3 made a big deal about getting all “import killer” and the results, although not complete failures, were still in the shadows of most imports…
Maybe, but which one would you rather have now?
We bought a new black one in 89.
I loved the car, and hated it. It was a ball to drive, and surprised the heck out of a lot of Mustang GT’s and other cars, but it was really poorly built. Recalls, four clutches, a timing belt, an AC compressor ($1500 in 1992), and power window motors were just some of the issues. It seemed like something was always either falling off of it, or not working.
Then I’d blast through the gears, and fall back in love with the car again………until the next thing broke!
I echo what gbvette62 says. Also it looks like some shill bidding on fleabay.
Totally shill bidding, why would the same guy keep outbidding himself 8 times? LOL.
That happens when other people place bids that aren’t as high as your max bid. Here’s more info: https://www.ebay.com/help/buying/bidding/automatic-bidding?id=4014
It’s rare to see one in this condition. I like the front and rear styling of the 1996 Taurus SHO much better, however, I don’t know how the engines in those compared to the earlier ones like the one featured here.
The 3rd Gen SHO (starting in 1996) actually used a V8 engine as opposed to the V6 in the 1st & 2nd Generation. They had about the same horsepower, but horrible reliability issues.
This is a cool car, and the Yamaha mill is really really cool, but this should NEVER be compared with the E28 M5.
I can say with all honesty, it was the Taurus that made me stop having an interest in new cars, however, a friend had one of these, and it did set you back in the seat, and sounded like a F1 car. I believe maintenance issues caused him to get rid of it. Fantastic motor, car was a POS.
I had one, 1992 black with gray cloth interior, 5-speed manual, ordered it new. Had it for seven years. There were various small issues with the car, nothing serious. But the motor was terrific, it was a blast to run through the gears. I liked the subtle styling, perhaps wishing it was a bit less subtle. I took it to car shows, and sometimes joked I was the only four-door car present,
Traded it for a 2000 Lincoln LS, also black with the rare 5-speed. Despite also being a four door mid size V-6 5-speed sedan, it was completely different…. softer and smoother and quieter, but I really missed that motor……..
I was a service manager at a Ford store when these came out. They were a blast. The only problems that I remember were the clutches. They had the same problems that the T5 transmissions had. The front transmission bearing retainers wear where the release bearing slides. The transmission was the same transaxle that the Escorts used. But the heavy duty clutch caused increased wear causing the bearing to not slide easily and binding.
Oh yes, don’t open a window or the sun roof at max speed. Living in Nevada where you can open up the throttle for a while. 3 customers lost the back glass when opening up either openings!
Wayne you are 100% dead on: the clutches were a weak point with the SHO as they were aluminum flywheels, and not good ones at that.
By 1993 you could get an automatic, and by 1995 (the last year of the 2nd Generation era) Ford wisely changed over to an iron based flywheel, which eliminated the costly 30k mile service interval.
I have a Jade Green 1995 SHO with the slush box, tan leather interior, sunroof, and 160k miles on it. If properly maintained, these cars will last as long as most other cars from this era, and will always wow people when you pop the hood and they see that gorgeous Yamaha engine.
My first wife bought one of these new – a 1989. I had, at the time, an 88 Mustang GT. We raced them off against each other and found that the Mustang would run away from the Taurus until about 100 mph, and then the Taurus would slowly reel the ‘stang back in. At around 125 mph or so, the Taurus took the lead. I seem to recall the SHO was slightly faster on the top end by about 4 or 5 mph.
It was a great car, but it lost a clutch at about 30K miles. We had it towed to the dealership, and they were not going to cover it. However, the mechanic gave me the fried clutch, and I found out the clutch was actually for an Escort! I had to take it up to the District level, but Ford eventually reimbursed us for the repair.
I liked these cars because they were real sleepers. Standing at the red light no one knew what i was except a mundane Taurus. Then the light turned green……..
I remember when my boss bought one of these back then, knowing I was a car freak he tossed me the keys, “try it out !” So I pulled out of the jobsite and found a deserted area close by. I remember the very high winding engine screaming pretty good, but the transmission felt kind of notchy, not smooth at all but despite that the car did get up and go. I kind of forgot all about these until I saw this post.
I had one too, same color, a couple of years newer. Definitely a huge sleeper and was fun to drive. I got rid of it after a couple of years due to too many $300+ repairs.
There is one similar to this parked in a yard on my backroads drive home from work. It hasn’t moved in a couple of years, and would probably need a bit of work to get it moving again. If I ever see someone in the yard, I might stop and ask them about it.