- Seller: Michael R
- Location: Sarasota, Florida
- Mileage: 139,462 Shown
- Chassis #: 1FABP64T5JH228645
- Title Status: Clean
The ninth generation of Ford Thunderbird was offered with a few different engine options ranging from a 4-cylinder turbo up to a 5.0 V8. While you would think the V8 would be the powerhouse option, it was the Turbo Coupe that was the real performance offering. This example is a project, but it’s complete and will run on starter fluid. The seller wants to see this T-Bird go to a good home, so they are offering it as a no-reserve BF auction!
With ever-tightening emission requirements, big V8s didn’t quite offer the performance they once had. While nothing ever fully replaces displacement, the 2.3-liter turbo four offers solid performance and is quite fun to drive. Being a 1988 model means this one is equipped with essentially the same drivetrain as the Mustang SVO. The addition of an intercooler brought horsepower up to 190 when paired with the 5-speed manual, as this one is.
The Turbo Coupe option added more than just a turbocharged engine, it included special body parts, reworked suspension, and a performance-oriented interior. Since the car currently only runs on starter fluid, it’s hard to say what condition the adjustable suspension is in, but the seller states that the car can be driven briefly so hopefully it will take minimal work to make it a driver again. Parts can be difficult to find for these, so the fact that it’s complete is a huge plus.
Another major plus with this example is the interior, which still features its original sport bucket seats. The upholstery is showing some color fade, not an uncommon issue for cars of this era, and the bolster foam seems to be degraded, but there aren’t any tears or signs of thin spots.
Between the special body trim, the functional hood scoop, and the basket weave rims, you can tell the Turbo Coupe is something special. The seller admits it will need a new coat of paint to look its best and that there is one dent on the body. While a fresh coat of paint would do wonders, we would be tempted to get it running and leave the paint alone, at least for the time being. The current look would certainly allow for it to be made into a sleeper.
Speaking of getting it running, it’s hard to say what all it will need, but the fact that it will run on starter fluid is a good sign. Since the drivetrain is shared with the Mustang SVO, mechanical parts are available and there’s lots of information out there on repairing, servicing, and upgrading them. Given how rare these Turbo Coupes have become, this one is worth rescuing, the only question is, what route do you go with it? Do you fully restore it, just get it running, or do you build it into a serious sleeper?
Bid On This Auction
- David bid $750.00 2024-01-30 09:19:00
- Richard bid $400.00 2024-01-29 17:41:22
- David Callaway bid $300.00 2024-01-24 19:13:31
190 hp hardly qualifies as a “sleeper “. Looks like the humid Florida air has had its way with this one.
I bet this engine would really make that Pinto Fun Wagon move along quite nicely… wonder if it would fit?
big r motorsports….
It would bolt right in
This was a favorite new car from my late teenage years. Looks TIRED. But then so do I now. Wife woukd kill me , but …..
this performance 2.3 turbo sure sounds like a tried and true Volvo motor to me, then considering Ford bought Volvo in 99 .. hmmm
this car, the Probe GT and the Escort Gt were all great offerings that too many so called Americans chose to buy the foreign options instead.
Ohhh how i loved my Escort GT..
Are these Tbirds rear wheel ?
Essentially a fox body, so yes, rear wheel.
They were not a Volvo motor, they were Ford’s own
190hp isn’t a sleeper…by todays standards, but wasn’t to shabby then. My 2000 BMW 323 had 170 hp and scooted along chirping 3rd with the 5 spd. So the right set up in this would be a fun car if had and done on a budget not to exceed one’s bank account.
A guy in Pocatello Idaho did that. The engine came clear under the dash so he moved the seats back and extended the steering column , pedals. Rear tires were 11 inch sicks. This was 1976 or 7. The engine he used was a 390 hi-performace V8. We were both working for C. Ed Flandro Ford as mechanics. Neil Anderson.
Wow, now there’s a name I haven’t heard since I was a kid, grew up in western Wyoming, I remember Flandro Ford ads on TV back in the 60s and 70s
I test drove a used one once back in the 90s. Kind of wish I had gotten it; but probably better that I didn’t. Hate to think how many speeding tickets I would have gotten. Had some pretty good getupandgo, if I recall.
It was very easy to get speeding tickets in them. Within 6 months highway patrol officers from Texas to Florida knew me on a first name basis because of mine.
My son has one sitting in our garage partially disassembled and not being used. It was a quick car in it’s day.. He doesn’t work on it and it’s just falling apart… Go figure
I’ve always found the lines on this model tight & tidy, very attractive. Dark colours look better IMO. It would fly, with an F-150’s 3.5l Ecoboost V6.
I had a 1985 2.3 l turbo with a 5 speed transmission. It would keep up with small V8’s. It handled well and was fun to drive. Rare cars even back then
I’ve got a friend who’s had two of these ‘Birds, and was saying over the holidays, that he was thinking about getting back to his youth, and buying another. I’m gonna send this to him. But we were having some Christmas cheer, when he mentioned it. So…
I had one by far it was my favorite car ever paid $300 for it is a 5.0 EFI poss rear 1988 also but it was automatic and even that was a lot of fun I was 26 when I got it so I enjoyed it whenever gets his car is going to enjoy it I promise it
I was wondering what color those seats started out as in order to fade to green like that, but I googled it and sure enough green seat trim was a thing..
To bunged up to restore so hot rod the heck out of it. As I remember the birds of this species had the same underpinnings as the fox body Mustang plus the four wheel disc brakes of the SVO Mustang so all the upgraded suspension parts work. Then drop in a turbo kit on a bored and stroked small block 427. That would be around 600HP before you started tuning. All in a coupe that wouldn’t draw the eye of the police. In short a sleeper extraordinaire.
Are car listed on barnfinds repeated ? This was up on January 23rd?
The 23rd was when the auction started and it went out again in our daily email on the 28th so people who might have missed it would get a chance to see it.
500.00 bidders fee keeps me away. Little bit ridiculous..
The minimum bidders fee may be more than this car is worth.
My nephew bought a tired Turbo Coupe. All of the failed electronics stymied him and he sold without ever driving it.
I would not take if it were free. Can you say parts car????
Yes the engine/transmission are the same as the SVO. The engine controls are not. (Which is a good thing.) The ‘Bird uses a standard speed density EEC IV ignition/fuel control system like the Mustang. The SVO basically has it’s own control system which is hard to diagnose. The drawback to these cars is the weight and increased bulk. (thicker doors, etc.) I also believe that the wheelbase is 5.5″ longer than the Mustang. (5.5″ longer is also the wheelbase of the Fairmont based cars) So Mustang sub-frame connectors don’t work. However all the other parts do swap over. I snagged one of these that had been wrecked and stripped it for parts. Rebuilt the engine and installed it in what was originally a 4cyl. stripper Mustang. (1984) I then increased the boost to 17 PSI and had a lot of fun! I beat the snot out of it for about 30,000 miles before I went to a 5.0.
I had an ’88 T-bird LX sport coupe (copper colored) in ’98 during my construction years between the military and college. I normally prefer manual, but that T-bird was so quick and agile that I didn’t care. Someone that doesn’t mind spending a little money and a bit of turning wrench is going to get a great car. Good memories for sure.
I have two of them; an 84 and an 86 I like both cars . The 84 is parked right now with a fuel pump failure which as you know is in the tank and a common problem with these. The 86 runs nice and I drive it but it is an automatic and I like driving the other one better with the 5 speed. I liked the styling of these birds and fell for them when NASCAR raced the body style with Bill Elliot. They were arodynamic back in the day.