- Seller: Felica A
- Location: Centralia, Washington
- Mileage: 273,927 Shown
- Chassis #: 1FAPP37U3PK100831
- Title Status: Clean
- Engine: 3.0-Liter OHV V6
- Transmission: Automatic
One of Ford’s biggest sellers during its entire run, the Tempo, and its cousin car, the Mercury Topaz, were what I call the “right size” line of cars, available in a wide range of trim levels, drivetrains, and even with AWD up until 1991. The seller had a parking lot mishap with this 1992 Ford Tempo, located in Centralia, Washington, and listed here exclusively at Barn Finds!
There it is, and it’s unfortunate. They say the damage is from a parking lot post, and it did a number on the front bumper, grille, and front fenders. There is reportedly no engine or suspension damage so that’s good, right? Everything is replaceable, and the big hook for this example is the rebuilt V6 engine under the hood. It would be a tougher sell if it were a regular four-cylinder model.
Ford offered the Tempo in two generations from 1983 for the 1984 model year until the end of 1994. This is a second-generation model (1988 through 1994) in probably the most 1990s color of all time: Reef Blue. The “polycast” wheels look good, other than a couple of missing center caps, and we don’t know if the seller has those or not. If not, a junkyard will probably have them when you’re sourcing a couple of front fenders. The 1992 Tempos were restyled a bit with body-colored side molding, full body-colored bumpers, and a body-colored grille.
The LX trim level was the “luxury” model for the Tempo. A thorough cleaning is in order here, but there aren’t any glaring issues other than old-fashioned dirt that can most likely be hot-water extracted, and it would look great again. The classic 1990s mouse fur velour seats look good both front and rear. I’m assuming the steering wheel cover is there for comfort, not to cover up any issues, but we don’t know.
Ford advertising of the era referred to the V6-powered Tempo as a baby SHO, to take a little poetic license with their ads of the period. One ad says, “Have you had your vitamin V-6 today?” The V6 was standard in the LX, and this is a Ford Vulcan 3.0-liter OHV fuel-injected V6 with 135 horsepower and 150 lb-ft of torque. It’s backed by an automatic transmission sending power to the front wheels. The seller says it was rebuilt in 2014, and the car runs and drives as it should. If you’re looking for a somewhat rare V6 Tempo, here’s your chance.
I’m not seeing the front end damage with how dark the pictures are. Surprising, since BF exclusive usually means a butt load of pictures. I get tired of saying this but this would be cool with a stick shift, I wonder if any came that way.
They made few, they were fast for the time (under 8 seconds to 60).
https://barnfinds.com/1-of-676-1992-ford-tempo-gls-2-door/
It’s not a stick- thats going to reduce the attraction of this four door. There was a sport coupe stick, 4 or six cylinder that I’m sure is sought after
Baby SHO.. 🤔 wonder if Bob sought after one ?
Luggage 🧳 rack equipped 👍
These used to be everywhere back in the day. Scottys right about the reef blue color. Very popular then, and it looked great. This Tempo held up very well for having 274,000 miles. And look at that asking price!!! 800 Bucks!!!! And it runs!!!!! And it still has floors in it????? Whats not to like here??? Most of these I used to see had 4 cylinders, I dont remember many of these with the V6
In 1991 I purchased my mom a 1985 Buick century with 40k miles on it the car was really clean and looked nice then at 45k miles it blew A head gasket I paid a shop to repair it but the car never ran as quiet as it did before and less than a year later the distributor failed and the car needed the entire ignition system replaced. After getting it repaired I took her to a dealer and purchased her one of these and she drove it 10+ years trouble free
They made a two door five speed version of this that is the one to have. But they are as rare as a rare thing.
I bought a new Tempo (can’t remember the year!) It was white with a very nice interior. Living in the Buffalo, NY subs I went for the AWD model. It sat somewhat higher than the 2WD, had automatic seat belts and we loved it……at 1st. I was a Great idea; however, a major problem was the drivetrain for the extra drive system. I had to have the U-joints replaced for the rear drive many times. While under warranty that was fine, but an inconvenience for us. When I had to start paying for this repair it was trade in time.
This one would be an excellent car. (Ex Ford service manager here.) The early ones had many issues. But all the bugs got worked out. As a side note the 4 cylinder 2.3 HSC’s engine is a .040 over bored (and stroked) 1.6 early Escort block. And yes you can make it a “Hemi” with the domed pistons and overhead cam 1.6 Escort. (Warning, you need to shave .015 off the top of the pistons or cut the same amount of valve relief.) And it makes a little screamer. Did it and loved it. The 5 speed in these cars (4 cylinder. or 6 cyl.) Are very robust. Intact it is the same gearbox used in the SHO Taurus. These cars ride and handle very well. Although I never got or took the chance to really push one hard. A 2 door with a 5 speed and the 3.0 V6 might have been a fun ride. The 3.0 Taurus engine is very smooth and quite fuel thrifty.
In 2001, my oldest daughter got her drivers license. She bought a 92 Topaz from one of my beat friends mother. He owned a auto repair shop, still does. He and I went over the car, new brakes, change oil, coolant, fuel filter,;etc. He wanted $1,200 for the car. That thing ran and ran. I continued the up keep on it. Biggest repair was the exhaust system rusted through. She drove itcall through college. I then used it for 2 years. We sold it for $600. One of Fords best cars. Never see them anymore.
Had one of these! White, four door, v6 AND a 5speed!. What a great car ! Drove it untill it wore all the teeth off of the distributor. Something at the time I never knew but later learned was an issue with Ford distributors.. But it was great while it lasted.
I didn’t know they had V-6’s. That would probably be fun with a stick. I rented one with the 4 and automatic, and it was one of the slowest cars I ever driven. I had a Taurus wagon for work with the 6 and it did fine. ( didn’t hold up well to Field Service. We carried a lot of weight.) After destroying shocks and tires, the put coil over shocks in. They also failed and they went with air shocks. That was great. They had over 130-150k and they went to Explorers.