Earning the title of best-selling car of the year for half a decade straight is no small feat, but the Ford Taurus proudly claimed that victory between 1992 and 1996. While the sedan served as a great family-style automobile for the time, it didn’t typically offer anything particularly out of the ordinary once drivers got behind the wheel, unless buyers selected the SHO option. This 1994 Ford Taurus here on Craigslist is one such second-generation example featuring this fine package, and it’s an ex-trainer from the Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving in Chandler, Arizona. This one is now located in the Point Loma area of San Diego, California, and is priced at $16,999. Jack M., thanks a lot for your excellent tip here!
The Super High Output package, or SHO for short, really helped wake up the Ford Taurus, featuring a high-tech Yamaha-manufactured V6 under the hood for the ’94 model. Those equipped with a manual transmission got a 3.0-liter engine, or a slightly larger 3.2 L unit if mated to an automatic, with this car having the latter configuration. Despite their displacement difference, both power plants were rated at 220 horsepower. As Bob’s school offered high-performance lessons in a small enclosure for police pursuit driving, bodyguards, and even auto stuntmen, I’m guessing the less than 20,000 miles on the odometer weren’t exactly all put on there easily. However, everything in the bay still appears to remain in good order.
For the most part, the SHO had a fairly tranquil appearance in factory form, with a few subtle clues added outside to help trained eyes know that it was no ordinary Taurus. This one is the opposite, with the bright orange finish and decals everywhere making it stand out in a highly conspicuous manner. The body seems to have survived nicely, even after the potentially harder-than-normal life this sedan may have lived, and keeping it intact as-is seems like a good choice for some interesting conversations at car shows. Another option would be to remove the stickers, do a bit of panel prep, then paint the exterior a less vibrant color.
Much of the interior is stock, but a few additions include window nets for all four doors, safety harnesses from Simpson Race Products, plus the owner says there’s even a roll bar inside. On the other hand, this one features power windows, seats, and cruise control, so it also has a few luxurious components to enjoy. The SHO was a smart move by Ford, especially for the period when it first appeared in the late eighties, and this one certainly seems worth preserving in some form. Would you cosmetically restore this Taurus back to its original appearance, or just let it be?
Well this is something different. I imagine it has led a hard life, I guess I am surprised it has survived at all. A bit of googling shows that Bondurant has been out of business since 2019, so I assume it has been in private hands for a while. Doesn’t look like the current owner has bothered to clean the brake dust off the front wheels in a long time.
For me, part of the allure of the SHO was its subtle look. Not the case here!
Thanks for the research. I didn’t realize they were out of business, especially for that long!
No thanks. Im sure it has had the life thrashed out of it. Better to buy an SHO that has been cared for by a private owner.
My Drivers Ed car was a 73 Olds Delta 88. With a lever on the passenger side that worked the brakes. My Drivers Ed teacher was paralyzed from the waist down from a car accident ( but he could put the fear of God in you), kept his hand on it all the time. This car would have scared the crap out of him.
For the right price it would be perfect for the person that wanted to take it to local car shows, it would draw a lot of attention, mileage and past “abuse” wouldn’t matter since it would sit in a garage most of the time and babied when it does come out.
Steve R
I had a 1994 SHO and a 1999 SHO with the 8 cylinder loved both of them. The asking price on this one could get you a low mile 1994 SHO in much better shape with a 5 speed for less money.