The Taurus debuted in 1985 as Ford’s new, front-wheel-drive, full-size family car. In a move to compete with Euro sedans like Mercedes and BMW, they added the SHO edition in 1989 – Super High Output. Borrowing from Yamaha, the SHO’s DOHC V6 engine was quite powerful, especially when paired with a 5-speed manual transmission. The seller’s 1989 version has both, but it’s been wasting away in the elements for perhaps many years. Located in a backyard in Colorado Springs, Colorado, this once-hot Ford is available here on craigslist for $500. Bravo to Barn Finder Barney for the tip.
SHOs were offered initially from 1989 to 1994, and 16,561 were produced in ‘89 alone. Looking like a Mom and Pop car, the Taurus SHO was a sleeper in its time and has developed something of a cult following years later. The 3.0-liter V6 that was “tuned” by Yamaha kicked out 220 hp. We’re told that the seller’s ’89 SHO is original and complete, but the seller only provides two photos. The car doesn’t run, the paint is almost faded away (loads of patina), and we have no idea what the interior looks like. But, if you have another one of these you’re fixing up, how could you go wrong for $500 for this one?
There’s an element of satisfaction seeing this car in such poor condition. For me, the Taurus signaled the end of my interest in cars. It went agin everything a Yankee Doodle Dandy like me,,,held dear in cars. Front drive, a Yamaha motor? Good heavens, ol’ Hank(s) spinning in their graves. I think they were okay cars, the motor does nothing for me, and a smile on my face when “Grave Digger” flattens it, but a sad smile just the same.
All of us who had, or wish we had, a SHO (or even admired them from afar), agreed that the engine was an absolute gem.
The perfect parts mule, considering it looks awful with all that “patina”. Speaking of Yamaha engines, I tried telling my brother-in-law his 1974 Toyota truck had a Yamaha-built engine. “Scoff scoff” he scoffed. Until I opened the hood and showed him the tuning forks on the block.
I don’t recall ever seeing these with gold badging. Was that some kind of dealer thing like Lexus does?
i would put a big motor, upgraded trans, and suspension. Also upgrade the interior. But leave the body and paint as is. I love that look
Waves fingers across beltline “…this is not the car you want…”
This one looks worse than many I’ve seen in the junkyards here over the years . Amazingly, I still see a few from time to time here in the AZ yards. One of these is still on my hypothetical “25 favorite cars I’d like to own someday” list. For now, one of those beautiful intake manifolds hanging on my garage wall suffices.