The original Ford Taurus SHO (Super High Output) was a performance sedan produced between 1989 and 1999. It used a special V6 engine developed by Yamaha, paired with a 5-speed manual transmission supplied by Mazda. The seller has a 1990 edition that runs but has issues with the transmission. It appears to be a well-used automobile and can be found in Kamiah, Idaho, and is available here on craigslist for the cheap wheels price of $1,100. Once again, Rocco B. delivers an interesting tip from yesteryear.
After an 11-year run, the SHO disappeared for some time. It returned in 2010, again on the Taurus, where it continued until that car was finally retired in 2019. The Yamaha-based DOHC V6 displaced 3.0 liters, was transversely mounted, and had an output of 220 hp. For the engine to fit in the Taurus, a hood from the comparable Mercury Sable was used. And different bumpers, side panels, and fog lamps made the SHO identifiable from a regular Taurus. The interior was changed and had a sporty nature to it.
These early SHOs were fast cars. They could do 0 to 60 mph in 6 to 7 seconds and turn a quarter-mile run at around 15 seconds. Top speed was reported to exceed 140 mph, so take that, 1960 muscle cars! The seller’s second-year SHO has 88,000 miles on the odometer, and he suspects it’s on its second time around. It runs and drives if you can get the shifter to cooperate. A bad throw-out bearing could be the culprit.
The seller found this Ford is a junkyard, so it only has a “conditional” title for now. After replacing the fuel pump, it ran again. The body and paint may be okay for a driver, and the seller can deliver it to you for a fee, as he has a truck and trailer. These SHOs have a cult following, and super nice examples will fetch several times the asking price for this project.
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