The Ford Taurus SHO is a sleeper. It looks like a family vehicle but has the power of a Mustang GT. The SHO is a family car with plenty of power. It’s an oddball with a lot of fans. One could easily imagine a family packed in the car when the driver gets a wild hair and decides to punch it a little, it’s for the dads who had to give up their muscle cars when kids came along. The example at hand has just 107k miles and is listed for sale on craigslist in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma for $6,500. Thanks to Tony Primo for the tip.
The exterior is finished Ford Medium Calypso Green Metallic (like all SHOS). The paint appears to be free of blemishes or damage. The body is very straight and the seller notes there is no rust. The wheels also appear to be in great condition. This car has been said to have been looked after by an enthusiast and it shows.
The interior is finished in a beige leather. The driver’s seat has some age-related fade, creasing, and scuffing. The interior could be cleaned up a bit but is in decent shape considering the car’s age and mileage. The car is equipped with a working air conditioner, power windows, locks, and seats.
A 24-valve 3.0L V-6 engine sends 220 horsepower to the wheels via a 5-speed manual transmission. The car is said to run and drive well. The airbag light comes on due to a broken spring. The power antenna doesn’t go up or down and the CD player no longer functions. This is a great example of a very unique piece of Ford’s history. If you are looking for a fun and practical vehicle this car is for you. If you are interested in purchasing it contact the seller on craigslist before it’s gone.
I had a 92 5-speed. When a SHO shows up here, I typically comment. This time I’ll simply say: it is the car I owned which I most wish I hadn’t sold.
Sara, I’m not sure what you are saying about color choice, but 94 SHO’s were available in five colors.
Just curious Bob. What color was yours?
Black, gray cloth/leather. 132 in that combination for 1992 model year (I just looked it up). Total 1992 SHO production 7818.
That must have looked sharp. Sounfs nice Bob.
Bob…did you really have to keep that Yamaha 6pot on boil in the SHO ? I’m guessing it liked to rev out pretty good.
Another 90s Ford that looked great in a dark green was the 5.0 LX notchback.
Poor Bob, he said he’s not going to say much about owning his SHO, and here’s Stan and Dave…… Needling him with questions. Next thing you know we will be asking him what he kept his tire pressure at. It does sound like the One that got away for Bob.
Bob’s been one of the best commentary providers since I’ve been here. 👍
I agree Stan, I have noticed that Bob always has something nice to say and is a true gentleman. And he has great knowledge too.
I’m sure Bob could have got another SHO during the last 30 years, if he is truly heartbroken.
ok Bob, now I’m curious. What did you keep the tire pressure at?
Wow. What a dilemma. It’s between this and the Jaguar XJ featured down the page. Both gentlemen cruisers and both in that shade of British racing Green and priced right. The Jag could be a problem down the road and then how many know how to fix it? And this Taurus has a manual! Anybody want to buy a 1991 Mustang LX 5.0 convertible?
I had a White Gray 89 and a White Tan 92. Loved them both. Fast, roomy, cornered, decent mileage. The best performance buy of their day,
I owned two, both 1989 model years. One white, the other black. Ebony and ivory. Really enjoyed both of them. That Yamaha engine was a screamer back in the day. The black one was especially nice on the highway because as it came up on you, you werent sure if it was the CHP or not. I always felt like Moses as the sea in front of me parted. I remember hitting 110 in the black one, with my parents in the back seat, mom screaming to slow down and pop with a smile on his face. Divorce and losing my job cost me the cars.
I had one same year as this mine was red with black interior and auto trans. If my memory is correct that Yamaha needs to have a special service around 100,000 miles. I had a good mechanic that did the service on mine. I bought mine used and I thought it was pretty pricey for a used car. It always ran great and it was a blast to drive because it was fast. I especially loved showing people that engine as it is a work of art. Won’t see that anymore. Wish I still had it. This one is more than reasonably priced. GLWTS
I owned a 92 SHO, and it was fun to drive, but after 3 clutches in 50,000 miles I gave it away!
A couple of weeks ago there was one of these on here,it said it had 320 hp now this one says 220 hp,so who is right?years ago I had an Eldorado with North Star with 300 hp and my friend had one of these and kept telling me he would beat me in a race,so who would win?
220hp is correct
The rarest SHO I ever saw belonged to a customer. He opened up the hood and explained that the polished intake didn’t make it into production. Instead of the Ford blue oval there were red ovals with “SHO” in them – on the intake as well as on the grille insert and the trunk lid. He said that Ford had offered to buy it from him but he declined their offer.
This story would sound apocryphal if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes.
The manual transmission is a plus in my opinion. I like the color too. To Bob: I hear you. We all have a few we would love to have back. Cars are more than a conveyance for we gearheads. Happy New Year to everyone.
Nobody asks why the broken spring?
It’s a broken clockspring in the steering wheel. Very common issue across virtually every vehicle. I recall them being hard to find for a SHO some years back.
Al camino, Having driven and spent time in both. The SHO would beat the Caddy just because of the weight. Not to mention that the SHO would out handle the Caddy by a mile. The clutch was a problem, but the upgraded release bearing slide/input bearing retainer fixed the issue. (same as the 5.0 Mustang issues) The transmission is really strong and is from the Escort! I worked at a Ford store when the SHO came out. It only had a few issues. One being that the rear heated defroster glass would shatter in certain conditions by heating up too fast. (ala some BMW 5s) And found out that you do not lower a side glass at 130 MPH or faster because it would cause the rear glass to blow out! (one customer found this out twice before he learned not to do it) Yes we live in Nevada where you can drive like that once in awhile! I at the time had a Sable wagon that I lowered an inch or so and installed an SHO front sway bar. (not an easy feat) It was a blast on the twisty roads as is an SHO. This one listed is very tempting!
I’ve never been a Ford lover but this FINE Taurus is an exception to my rule! 3 pedals, the color combo, & that 220-horse Yamaha rocket-launcher pushes ALL the right buttons!
Had a silver ‘92 with the manual transmission. Great car. I had no problem with the clutch other than how strong my left leg became. It did seem to eat tires…
I bought a new one in 1988. Everyone in my neighborhood liked it, including me. Then 3 years later I was racing one in IMSA. We wer4e allowed to upgrade the wheels and tires to 16″ which along with our suspension upgrades made them handle as well as any of the competition in the series. Just a great car.
I had a 93 SHO with a automatic. I sold it after 6 years of ownership and miss it dearly. These cars were great highway touring cars,and the sound of that Yamaha engine at 7000 rpm was mesmerizing to say the least. Would I own another one? Definitely YES. Much better than the Impala SS of the same era.
Weren’t the contemporary Impalas the ones with the Beluga-whale bodystyle?
Few designs were more hideous than those, along with their Buick/Olds/Caddy clones.
Pontiac lucked-out…but then again, they came up with the lovely ‘Azteck’ during that time period.
Beautiful Taurus though.
On U8one2’s comment that the Taurus SHo was a better car than the impala SS, my dad owned each and I was fortunate to have put some miles on each. The Taurus was more fun on twisties and what’s not to like about the engine which was torquey down low with a really wide power band and a 5 speed stick though a bit clunky to shift.
But the impala while slower and heavier, had rear wheel drive, a capable LT1 reverse flow coolant 350 V8, a full frame, could tow a decent boat or travel trailer, plus a spacious interior and trunk. Both were good looking and fun cars. Now that I’m older, I give a nod to the Chevy and its automatic and relaxed but powerful engine even thought I’m a Yamaha loyalist.
Antenna is probably just a broken riser … my ’94 240 SX SE Conv had the same problem – they tend to get brittle over the years … a simple problem to fix …
I still remember going into the Ford Dealer to order my new Taurus. While checking all the boxes and choosing the wonderful red metallic paint on my new LX, I was being stared down in the showroom by a White 5 speed Show. I think it even rolled a little closer as I was signing the papers. But it was a company car, so stayed with the LX. Always regretted that.