One of the more unheralded of vehicle classes has to be the large, comfortable coupe with some respectable performance under the hood. These often get lumped into the broader category of GT cars, but really, who’s actually spending a lot of time “touring” these days? There has to be another name for simply being comfortable with every convenience available to you, and having the option to kick the accelerator to the floor and enjoy some respectable thrust. This 1995 Ford Thunderbird Super Coupe fits this description to a T, and it’s listed here on craigslist in what appears to be very nice condition for just $5,250.
The Porsche 928 is often cited as the peak GT car from the era, but I would argue that it was not trying to be a soft, comfortable road car. The same goes for the BMW 6-Series of the E24 era. Both of these models are often referred to as GTs, but when equipped with a 5-speed manual, their personalities were distinctly different. In the case of the Thunderbird, you could make the same argument: throw a stick shift into a supercharged Super Coupe like this one, and the driving experience became significantly more dynamic, with a 0-60 time safely under 8 seconds.
While this one has the optional automatic, it doesn’t change what was happening under the hood. Ford equipped the Thunderbird with Roots-type Eaton supercharger, an intercooler, and other enhancements to extract 210 b.h.p. and 315 lb-ft of torque from the 3.8-liter V-6. A top speed of 140 miles per hour was noted by road test editors, and if you opted for the standard 5-speed manual, you were treated to a smooth-shifting Mazda-built assembly. The seller notes that in the case of his car, the 4R70W transmission has been rebuilt and “upgraded.”
With 105,160 miles on the clock, this is certainly on the lower side for a driver, and the interior is holding up well. I would toss those non-matching floor mats and straighten out the seat belts before photographing the interior to make it look slightly tidier. The Thunderbird was the last of an era, as the rear-wheel drive, big-body coupes were certainly aging out. The Super Coupe, or simply stated SC, is a terrific choice for a comfortable cruiser that can still kick the dust up when needed, and this one seems fairly priced. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Tony Primo for the find.
Nice looking Super Coupe. Jeff’s write-up illustrates that these were pretty good at what they were: a big, comfortable coupe with respectable performance. I’d prefer a manual transmission, I think the spoiler detracts from the sleek styling, and I’m not sure about the pinstriping. Good ad. Not expensive.
That front bumper makes the car look a little like Jay Leno too.
(IMO) The front bumpers got progressively uglier, it seems as though since the body style would be ending, front designs were just “phoned in”!
“,but really, who’s actually spending a lot of time “touring” these days?”
^This made me laugh and might be my favorite quote I’ve ever read on Barn Finds, Jeff. I’ve often thought the same thing in regards to “GT” style vehicles. :D
An automatic and a turbo go together like peanut butter and mayonnaise. If I have a blower the hood, I’d want a manual transmission as God intended to get that engine on the boil. This a good looking car with a pretty decent price, you just have to floor it and wait to get that “performance”.
This car is supercharged for what it is had respectable performance. I had both auto and a five speed the five speed was hands down more fun to drive sold that and got one with an automatic because my wife is a lost cause with a standard.
Amen brother. My wife same.
The automatic may have been the better choice, judging by my experience. My special order ’94 Explorer (4.0 OHV V-6, two wheel drive, 5 speed stick) yeah that …”smooth-shifting Mazda-built assembly.”. It survived 92,000 miles, before second simply disappeared.
Had a 94 SC, blue on blue. Loved it, and didn’t give one care it wasn’t a manual.
I had an ’89 SC (1st year of that body style-black w/ grey cloth) and after my wife totaled her ’82 Supra, I bought her a ’91 SC (Silver w/ grey cloth). Awesome cars! I met Davey Allison (Nascar driver in case you didn’t know. He drove those body styles) at an autograph session and asked if he would sign mine or my wife’s. He said, ‘you have TWO of them??’. I told him yeah but not as many as you! He said he would sign both but his publicist wouldn’t let him go to the parking lot. Sad day in ’93 when passed from a helicopter crash at Talladega. I did get to drive behind a pace car at Atlanta Motor Speedway in my wife’s SC though. The pace car was only supposed to do max 75mph around the track but the guy driving the pace car saw what I was driving and he picked up the pace. At one point my wife asked how fast we were going and I told her we just crossed 100 and don’t ask me again! He came back around and asked how I liked THAT! He let me pull it into the winners circle and take pictures. Great day!
I had a 92 in dark metallic blue with a 5 speed/supercharger and it was the ultimate Q-Ship at that time. Sport mode suspension and it handled well for it’s size.
I’ve always loved these MN12 Birds, as well as the supercharged Cougar XR7 from 89 and 90. Good news for any buyer is the 1994 and 1995 models were rated at 230hp and 330lb-ft. What I don’t know is what actually changed to get the increased output. Anyone know?
I’ve had many. Have 2 currently. The rare 95 5-speed and an automatic.
Fun cars. The suspension was light years ahead of anything out there and still is one on the most tunable ever built.
Great comment! The MN-12 IRS can be upgraded with T-Lock 3:73 or 4:11 gears for better launch. They used to be reasonable upgrades.
Would this take those front and rear clips that make it look like 50 Ford?
Please no
‘89-95 TBird SC cars were wildly underrated & undervalued. My ‘95 has NX 150 HP jets and flew. Surprised many Mustang & dedicated race car owners.
Beautiful car. Its a shame Ford refused to make these the fire breathers they could have been. Our 04 Mustang with the 3.9 v6 is making 195 hp. Naturally aspirated. That engine could have produced so much more. But it is a neauty!
When these first came out mt buddy who was a field service engineer from Ford Motor Company had an R&D (research and development) Super Coupe that he brought to Hot August Nights. ( he always stayed with me when he came out) Anyway they did not tell him what had been done to the car (he noticed a smaller pulley on the supercharger) but it was extremely fast. Had a couple of ” traffic light grand prixs”) and just buried the other cars. (5,000 rpm clutch dumps then full throttle) It was an absolute joy to drive! Torque like a 429 SCJ and nimble like a well set up MGB. I’ve driven several since that R&D car, they are nice, but the Factory test car spoiled me.
5000 rpm clutch dumps Wayne ?
How did those rear tires grab 😳
The automatic may have been the better choice, judging by my experience. My special order ’94 Explorer (4.0 OHV V-6, two wheel drive, 5 speed stick) yeah that …”smooth-shifting Mazda-built assembly.”. It survived 92,000 miles, before second gear simply disappeared.
Many different levels of Mazda gearboxs used by Ford Motor Company. Some are even used in F150 pickup trucks. I’ve had over 30 Ranger pickups. (I flip them as refurbished and as hot rods) All but two have been 5 speeds. Only 2 of the rest have had bad transmissions. And I still use one as a daily driver. ( second gear syncro is very tired after 311,000 miles. The only T-Bird I have seen with a transmission issue was actually a used up clutch. If you have a manual gear box SuperCoupe and the clutch is acting up. Remember that the bell housing and transmission are one piece AND the clutch release bearing is part of the clutch slave cylinder and front transmission input bearing retainer.
Comments will be Comments but realistically taking into consideration where we’re at now thanks to the modern day MOBSTERS up in Washington supposedly making America great again this car is worth every $ unless you would rather sign a 50,000 dollar note with your bank on these pile of plastic computerized pieces of junk that will have you at your dealership in 4 years signing a new NOTE.
Why nobody mentions the crapp break system that is now stupid money to replace and hard to find?
The 94-95 had the next gen abs and it was a much improved design.
In an interesting sales move, the seller RAISED the price to $6,750.