The late ’80s weren’t the best of times for domestic cars, especially if hot-footin’ it was your goal. Sure, there were models available that had a reasonable pretension of go-fast behavior but they weren’t unique or really specialized in that arena. Well, one chip in that foundation of ordinary happened in 1989 with the introduction of the Ford Taurus SHO – or Super High Output as it was known. This car’s mission was high performance and it worked against those not unique or specialized norms. Today, thanks to Rocco B.’s sleuthing, I have a 1990 edition of the SHO for your review. It’s located on the Sunshine Coast in British Columbia, Canada and comes with a separate parts car. So, here we go, please read on.
The first generation of the Taurus SHO lasted three years, ’89 through ’91, and was offered in a single four-door sedan body style. While performance sedans had existed in Europe for some number of years, generally, in the U.S., sporting varieties featured just two-door body styles. The SHO changed that approach. Another interesting facet of the SHO is its powertrain. Getting to “go” involved the use of a Yamaha-built 220 HP, 3.0 liter V6 engine, attached to a Mazda-supplied five-speed manual transaxle – automatics need not apply! The performance of the SHO, back in the day, was described as brisk, though the seller is mum regarding any driving characteristics of this car. The mileage, being 177K miles, could signal some lethargy. The listing does suggest that the clutch throwout bearing is noisy, one of the valve covers leaks, and the rear section of the exhaust system needs to be replaced. There is an extensive list of mechanical components that have been replaced and an even longer list of replacement parts included in the sale so be sure to peruse it.
There are some differences between the SHO and the No-SHO such as the hood, body cladding, wheels, and bumper covers but it’s not radically different. The exterior is described as “There is one soft ding on the fender that could be fixed with PDR, clear coat on truck and roof has a couple thin spots. Minor scuffs here and there. Car would clean up very nicely with some polishing.” Well that all seems rather minor and the presentation, all in all, is still sound. There is one included image of the underside and there’s no sign of rust or deterioration.
Inside we find cloth, and what looks like leather, upholstery covering bucket seats that are SHO specific. Other than some side bolster wear from ingress and egress, the interior environment is quite clean, especially notable for a 34-year-old car that has traveled as far and wide as this one has. The seller mentions that the A/C is inoperative but he has a replacement compressor that’s included in the sale. Of note is the steering wheel, it’s a generic airbag-equipped piece that adorned many Ford models in this era.
So, is it rare? Well, 8,300 left the Hapeville, Georgia assembly plant in ’90 and that’s about half of the volume produced in the inaugural year of 1989. In ’91, the volume stayed consistent with ’90 though that’s not the end of the story. The Taurus SHO remained in production through ’99, took a siesta and returned in 2010, continuing through the Taurus’ demise in 2019. The SHO’s sheet metal changed dramatically over the years, and it did eventually get an automatic transmission, but the performance aspect of this sedan was never left behind. Check out the listing for this Ford, it’s here on craigslist where it’s available for $6,500 and I believe that’s U.S. currency, and it includes reasonable delivery. But wait, there’s more, double your fun as the seller will throw in a 1989 parts car. Such a deal, right?
Not a bad package. If distances traveled are in KM, stands to reason currency is in Loonies too.
Work required doesn’t sound onerous. Though I recall our Tortoise wagon didn’t like to retain gaskets but this is an entirely different aminal.
Were the wheels TRX or something oddly sized?
I converted the mileage, it’s miles, not kilometers.
JO
Standard size on the wheels / tires. At least they were on the ’91 SHO I had.
You had to be alive and of driving age in 1989 to fully appreciate the arrival of this car. 220hp may seem weak today but in 1989 it was miraculous. A 5 spd was the only option at first and what a blast! In sandalwood it even managed to look sleek and tasteful. Would still be a fun ride today
In 1989 this was “the fastest 4 door sedan you can buy for less than $50,000.”
“America’s Best Sedan!
143 mph, $20,000.”
Cover, Car and Driver,
Dec 1988.
0-60 @ 6.7 seconds.
Only the BMW 750iL at $71K was faster.
Looking at my copy I kept all these years and what sparked me to buy a red 1991 and take it to Little Talledega Grand Prix track in Alabama- a brutal motorcycle track we in our SHO Club rented for the day. Out of the turns pulling to 7,000 rpms – big deal in the late 80’s.
That thing brings back memories, good and bad.
We bought a new black SHO in 89 to replace my wife’s 86 Z24. The car was a ball to drive, but also a complete piece of junk. We’d always had GM cars (I was driving a Celebrity Eurosport wagon company car in 89), and the Ford’s build quality and constant repairs were new to me. The clutch went at 5000 miles, Ford claimed my wife didn’t know how to drive a manual (it was her 5th stick). We knew two other owners who had clutches go in the first year, and Ford eventually recalled the clutch. SCrews were always falling out of the dash. The Yamaha engine was the only trouble free part of the car. In 93 the AC went and they wanted $1800 for the compressor (GM R4 compressors were $150 at the time). Instead we traded it on a Bonneville.
It’s a shame there was always something wrong with it because it was a great car to drive. As a rather nondescript black 4 door sedan most people had no idea how bad a$$ it was. I surprised more than a few 5.0 Mustangs and Z28’s at the stop light grand prix.
Love the SHOgun 🔫 🇺🇸 🇯🇵
Very similar experience here. I bought mine from a Ford dealer friend who found me a very low mileage example (’91 with 12K miles) lease return and really great shape.
Terrific fun to drive, but did nickel and dime me to death. So much so that less than 2 years later, I traded in for a new Maxima.
The SHO possibilities are endless!
As someone who is trying to find a regular wagon I don’t really care about the SHOs. I’ve been trying to find a 1986 Ford Taurus LX wagon in red for nearly 6 years and these SHOs are more common to find than regular gen 1 sedan and wagons it seems. Only 8,000 of these made in 1990 and that’s easier to find than something that had a total production number of 2.6 million of we count the Sable’s too? It’s why when an SHO pops up for sale it’s not special to me.
I feel that if you are trying to find a 38 year old vehicle, you may have to be a little more flexible on color choices. Good luck with the hunt.
My brother had a Taurus wagon back in the day. He loved it. He used to DJ regularly on the weekend and that was his work vehicle. Could hold his huge speakers and sound mixer cabinet.
FYI-there was a 1/64 diecast car made of it. It was made by Matchbox and it was a Brady Bunch themed car, otherwise I never saw this on the shelf as a regular Matchbox. I got him one of these Matchbox wagons and made a mini 1/64 scale DJ set up of him and his equipment out of balsa wood.
https://www.amazon.com/Brady-Station-Matchbox-Collection-Special/dp/B0018P5I80
I really like these cars. Not because I ever owned one but back in the days when I use to junkyard/EBay car parts I made a tidy little killing off the 2 or 3 of these I parted out. Transmissions, wheels, trim and I think the instrument cluster was unique also. They helped cover the bills more than once.
I had an 89 and 91 I used as company cars in the day – extremely reliable and lots of fun. So much fun in fact I bought a 92 five years ago and use it for car outings and also to teach my grandkids how to drive a stick. GPa’s current SHO has posi, is lowered with sway bars, & Koni(s). I have not experienced a single driveline failure in many miles of spirited use though I avoid unecessary abuse.