It’s said that Jerry Garcia, at least on one occasion, compared The Grateful Dead’s music to licorice, stating that many people don’t like that flavor, but those who do really like it. The same holds true for most Neo-classic cars, as a few gearheads seem to appreciate and seek out these unusual creations, although many don’t offer the same mass appeal as more mainstream automobiles. However, this 1988 Tiffany Classic is pretty cool in its own special way, and with just 40,000 miles and some recent maintenance, it’s likely got quite a bit of useful life left for the next owner to enjoy. Reader Rocco B. spotted this sumptuous driver here on eBay in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, and we’d like to thank him for the fun tip! This one can be yours right now for $18,500, but the seller also wisely included a make-offer option.
Those with a keen FoMoCo eye will recognize that this Tiffany began its journey as a Mercury Cougar, but once Classic Motor Carriages took over, the exterior was modified to Excalibur styling by adding touches that would have been right at home on top-tier luxury cars in the thirties. Truth be told, I like the design here better than most neos, and it doesn’t hurt either that the body is so well preserved. From the pair of trunk straps to the quad horns protruding from the grille, this one offers a high level of opulence from front to back, and everywhere else in between. It’s nice that this one also features a sunroof, but those fender-mounted exhaust exits would be more believable if there were four ports on each side instead of three.
CMC stuck with the Cougar engines, and from what I understand, they always used 302-equipped cars as a base. With the stock section from the doors forward removed, the narrowed bay is much more cramped than usual, and some components could stand a bit of cosmetic detailing. However, the best news here is the low mileage, and the seller reports that the car has been gone through top-to-bottom mechanically. Some of the recent maintenance is said to include flushing the cooling system, a complete brake inspection, and automatic transmission service.
The cabin has mostly an eighties Cougar feel, but the reasonably good condition inside is certainly a positive here, plus the red interior complements the black exterior nicely. For those seeking a Neo-classic, this one seems to be a fine example, and I’m certain it’ll stir up plenty of attention wherever you go. Having the 5.0 engine is also desirable, as a 3.8-liter V6 was the standard engine for the Cougar in ’88, which was also the final year the car rode on the Fox platform. Is this 1988 Tiffany Classic one you’d have any interest in pursuing?
This is one of those cars that, while I’d never want to own it, I’d love a chance to drive one. I’ve always preferred the Tiffany above a lot of the other neo-classics, and this one is really in nice shape.
I remember seeing these based on the Cougar. I actually like these a lot. The Cougar doors and stretched formal roofline just seem to work here. The Fox Body platform was a great choice, not just for solid underpinnings but also parts availability as well. This one looks like a creampuff. It’s definitely been well cared for over all these years. I often wondered how stretched cars like this ride and handle?
Beautiful Tiffany Classic Stephens. Of course Rocco has an eye for that kind of thing. 👍
Interesting that this is listed as a 1988 since the VIN decodes to a 1987 Mercury Cougar.
Regardless of the model year, the name Tiffany sounds so 1980s, doesn’t it?
Oh, thank you, Mike, I appreciate the Grateful Dead music reference more than this car could ever muster. My favorite line,,,”What a long, strange trip it’s been”,,,
I realize, how could I like the Excalibur, and not this? Because, aside from a local boy, Stevens car LOOKED like something, this is just a hodge podge of gee-gaws, very few people wanted. It’s just too much with proportions all askew, who would want to be seen in this? This,,,thing, cost almost $60grand, about the same as the Excalibur, or twice what a Corvette cost then, I don’t know, man, maybe late at night with a big hat?
This would be the perfect Svengoolie Mobile. I think I’m going to send him a link.
Kinda reminds me of a Pimpmobile, or the “Duke’s”(Isaac Hayes) ride in the movie, Escape from New York.
The Duke drove a Caddy adorned with chandeliers. Looks better than this, IMO.
Apparently they’re remaking the movie.. just heard it other day. Plisken 🐍 rides again ! 🗽
What a ugly POS
How right you are, Abe! Grille horns are the height of ostentatiousness, and it looks like a Sherman tank hit it from the rear.
Cougars and Thunderbirds lent themselves well to these conversions. I’ve only seen one in the wild. They’re big cars. Would be a nice cruiser but I can’t imagine it being my daily driver.
Wasn’t one like this in a “Dirty Harry “ movie? I gots to know.
The Jerry Garcia reference was the only reason I clicked on the link – even though I was doomed to see those terrible images
I don’t care what anybody says, this thing is the visual definition of ugly! I am amazed to this day that one single person in the world would actually lay down cold, hard cash for something like this. Seriously, if you could look up the actual definition of “clown car” in the dictionary, I am certain that you would find a picture of one of these.