This listing is for a rare (and likely near extinct) Ford EXP Turbo. While the EXPs are rare, finding a turbocharged variant is akin to the proverbial needle in the haystack. Located in Colorado Springs, this example turns over but will not start, and shows some bumps and bruises on the body. However, it’s absolutely worth saving and there’s little evidence that this is anything other than a tired project car, a much better starting point than a modified basketcase. Find it here on craigslist for $1,500 or best offer, and go here if the ad disappears.
The seller apparently has an eye for rare, turbocharged Ford products, with what looks like an SVO Mustang and Thunderbird Turbo Coupe parked on either side of the EXP. It’s in good company, as the EXP was actually a project of Ford’s SVO group to build a turbocharged platform with some other enhancements under the memorable EXP skin. Koni shocks, stiffer springs, better brakes and tires were all among the list of improvements the turbocharged EXPs received, along with up to eight pounds of boost pressure.
This resulted in the EXP Turbo achieving a very respectable 120 b.h.p. and identical torque figures. Based on the interior photo, it also received the three-spoke steering wheel from the SVO along with nicely bolstered bucket seats. The interior photos aren’t the greatest, but from what we can see, the EXP looks largely intact and the dashboard even appears mostly sound. While cars from the more mountainous regions of the country like Colorado tend to be rust-free, they can also bear the scars of sun damage.
The EXP Turbo-specific two-tone paint job is tired, and a full repaint is likely necessary if you want this one to shine again. The seller notes “…some slight damage to right front fender and quarter panel,” which looks like a straightforward repair in the photos provided. I’m always intrigued by the trip odometer in photos like these – it used up one gallon of gas and then the EXP Turbo was parked, judging by the 31 miles recorded. No matter what, this is a rare car worth saving in the kind of condition you can justify making a rescue attempt. I hope it’s rescued and restored to OEM condition soon.
It’s good to know these are almost extinct!
Wow these we’re junkers!
I know my rusted one was a money pit!
I doubt another one is out there. However that’s okay
I had an original Ford exp with turbo. He turbo is still under warranty for the originals not the escort exp with turbo. Ford only made 1500 of the original exp turbo then the had regular exp no turbo and then the lincoln/mercury version then the escort exp with and without turbo. The escort exp used the escort motor only the original exp with turbo had the “exp” motor.
Loved that car, would love to find an original exp with turbo again.
Nice…but the wheels front to rear don’t match.Think the rears are correct.
Front wheels are 15″ from a 1985-90 Mustang or 1985-86 T-Bird Turbo Coupe. The rears are correct. This sends up a red flag as I believe these used the infamous TRX tires with the weird sized rims which always made tire buying a chore. And it probably would be near impossible today. And I sure hope he still has the factory front rims. Those would be very hard to find too.
Coker made and still has some TRX tires made in the original Michelin molds. That said, unless some nut job is doing a concours level restoration, a wheel swap would be the sound choice.
The turbo Ford jackpot… always liked the Ford EXP/Mercury LN7 cars, definitely one that I would own.
ive always loved these cars ive owned 2 of them in the past one was a 1982 and a 1984 model!!!!!!!
Given how far Ford (and American perception of economy/performance cars) has come since the ’80s it would be interesting to see them try again with this format. Although the same could be said for a revival of the beloved CRX . Okay, never mind; we only want oversized and overpowered or electric these days with no middle ground.
Indeed. Dont know what im gonna do when my G6 GXP coupe bites the dust
Hopefully this is the last one.
Waiting for everyone to bash this like the Shelbys.
the missing rim is on the mustang!
Not so. Won’t fit. The Mustang is an SVO and has 5 lug wheels.
I like it! I always thought these were cool looking cars since they were brand new and the turbo is icing on the cake.
Talk about the only one at the show. Another plus is u bump up the boost u bump up the power, as long as the head stays on!
My secret dream is to find a mint low mile 1984-85 Escort GT Turbo with this motor. Don’t know how many they built but they are virtually nonexistent now. The EXP version is probably even rarer. There very well may not be another.
Unless it is a pre-war car, there’s ALWAYS another…
I have a 1984 exp in very nice original condition it has 51,000 miles on it.it has been in my barn since 1994 I only take it out on nice days in the summer.does not have no rust on it
I have a 1984 Ford exp that I’ve had since 1995.has 50,000 miles on it and runs like new.all original except drivers side door replaced back in 90’s.very nice shape
Rear wheels drive wheels don’t work on a front wheels drive car, as a general rule.
Now that’s a heck of a tounge twister…
Almost bought one of these back when I was 20. The salesman was such a d**k that I backed out. Found a 914 instead and was happy for a few years before it burned up in a fire.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=1584711
How many left?
At least 1 too many…
I’ve been a loyal reader of barnfinds for about 5 years now and I think this is only the 2nd exp I’ve seen on here. I’ve always liked the style of the exp.
I think this is a pretty cool find. I thought I knew everything and am surprised to learn Ford made a turbo variant of the EXP. Would never come close in a race with an SRT/4 but still unique. I think it needs saved. Good find
No offense but the set 4 was years later. Does not make sense to compare a car with heavy epa regulation versus one years later with less restrictions
These cars should be able to easily swap to AWD/RWD. Sadly not the case. FWD = Fail for fun and real performance.
Bob Glidden could have told you. You waited too long.
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/7f/1d/a4/7f1da44aec4654555e388eb7ec5080e9.jpg
A friend of mine had a non-turbo LN7. Talk about a gutless wonder. Another friend had the turbo EXP. It was marginally better.
I’m having an issue with the writer’s ability to tell the difference between an odometer and a trip odometer. That car either has 35, 85, 135, or 185,000 Miles on it as they only had technically a 5 digit odometer. It wasn’t parked after 31 miles as you stated.
He is referring to the TRIP odometer.
Hey Doug, I understand where you’re coming from; but Jeff is actually correct in what he said. Here’s how: the trip odometer was set back to zero. Then the owner drove just over thirty-one more miles and decided at that time to park it. He never drove it after that, otherwise the trip odometer would reflect those miles as well. I hope this clears things up.
I had the opportunity to drive several EXPs when I worked for a sleazy wholesaler back in the early-mid 80’s. These were pretty fun cars to drive, but the tinworm & a voracious appetite for head gaskets (and heads as well) put nearly all of them in an early grave, along with their first-gen Escort siblings.
Yep, those timing belts broke almost on command at 60k miles, bending valves as they did.
Broken timing belt on an interference engine put my LN7 in an early grave.
Person experience with the timing chain/belt (can’t remember which it had). Had non turbo version in high school – dad got it from so little old lady out in the country with 15K miles. I put 50k miles on it driving all over Texas New Mexico and Colorado – amazing snow capabilities with studded snow tires on the front. Timing chain snapped somewhere in the middle of West Texas – total meltdown. We put a new engine in it from an escort I think. Never ran worth a darn.
I miss it – was a unique big-eyed look and I could get an amazing amount of cargo in it. The manual made it at least serviceable.
They had a timing belt.I had one identical to the one pictured. It was a blast to drive.