There are not many deals left out there in the collector vehicle segment, but right now, the market is a bit soft. This translates to some deals hitting the local classifieds pages that could spell opportunity for anyone on the hunt for a new project. One car worth checking out is this 1995 Ford Thunderbird Super Coupe, listed here on craigslist in a rare color for just $3,750. The Super Coupe may not be the most collectible fast Ford out there, but it has enough going for it that a car like this one could be fun to stick in your garage for safely under $5,000. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Curvette for the find.
The Super Coupe was immediately recognizable by its unique body kit and wheels, and while most of these tend to show up in red or black, this particular Thunderbird wears Silver Blue Mist Metallic paint. The color looks like a cross between purple and silver, and it’s quite sharp. The seller notes that the mileage is reasonably low at a tick of over 102,000 miles. It’s not ridiculously low, but it is when you consider what that works out to annually. With over 100,000 miles, the Thunderbird’s condition is even more impressive, and living in Spokane, WA likely means this Super Coupe is rust-free underneath.
Interior quality wasn’t a highlight of 90s domestic products, but the Thunderbird was a nice place to spend time. Spacious and comfortable, this was more a GT car than a pavement scorcher. The bucket seats in the SC were nicely bolstered with great support on either side of the driver’s torso. The automatic transmission was an optional feature and the 5-speed manual cars are highly sought after. The 4-speed automatic was not a total penalty, however, as it suited the car’s high-speed cruising abilities across miles of interstate. With adjustable ride control features, you could also manipulate the suspension settings to suit the road you were on.
The supercharged 3.8L V6 used a Roots-type Eaton supercharger that helped increase power to a respectable 230 horsepower and 330 lb.-ft. of torque in 1995. The seller doesn’t cover any specific maintenance he’s overseen while the car has been in his care aside from newer tires, and this is a vehicle where you’d like to see some additional upkeep over and above periodic fluid and belt changes. The asking price, however, mitigates some of those risks and with (hopefully) no rust to deal with, a quick test drive should confirm that this Super Coupe drives as good as it looks.
This Super Coupe is super cool. Too bad it doesn’t have the stick, but if it was any closer I would be all over it. Just wondering, how does that gauge in the top center work? The numbers increase in both directions from TDC?
When you are on the gas boost increases and the needle moves to the right, when you let up the engine creates vacuum and it drops ot the left.
I miss my black 1990 5speed Superchicken. Trading it was a big mistake, and not only because the car I got in trade was a turd.
This is a great deal if there are no major mechanicals to deal with. The series one SCs had the Teeves Mk2 abs system which was problematic. Not sure about the series two.
Mr Fox, if memory serves, the gauge that you mentioned was a boost gauge, similar to a turbo vehicle. In simple terms, it measured positive or negative manifold pressure (someone correct me if I am wrong, that was over 15 years ago)
Hope this goes to a good home!
I believe you’re right about the gauge – boost one way, vacuum the other.
You are correct, that was the boost gauge, and while it did indicate a bit, I think it was mainly for the cool factor. Mine was a 1990 Cougar XR7 in triple black with a 5-speed and leather. I really miss that car, bought it new, and intended to keep it until I got rear-ended by a drunk at 70mph and it spun and hit a rock wall. FWIW abs has no additional braking effect backwards, it’s confused.
I personally would rather have a Thunderbird with this body and the 4.6 v8 but this one doesn’t have a ridiculous price like other cars that have shown up here.
I have a 94 LX with the 4.6 and automatic. It’s a great cruising car. Not one you want to take to the drag strip though. Figures, I think it was listed in the ads as a gentleman’s sportscar in it’s day.
I vaguely remember the color. I thought it was odd-looking, but today I like it, maybe because it is so unusual. Overall this is a reasonably interesting performance-themed car for a beater-car price.
The Barn Finds effect: Today, in routine traffic, I saw a base model T-Bird of this generation in this color.