Show Me The Money: 1991 Ford Taurus SHO
DT’s rule number 772: The original is always the best. Yup, sounds right, but let’s check; Terminator 1984 — yup. Star Wars — no contest. True Grit — John Wayne rules. Aladdin 1992 > 2019. Death Race 2000 1975>2008. The Italian Job 1969>2003. Ladykillers 1955 > 2004. Gone in 60 Seconds 1974 > 2000. Do I need to continue explaining this? Let’s move to cars. The original Mustang is still the best Mustang. The original Camaro — same. Finally we get to today’s feature subject which is a first generation Ford Taurus SHO (1986-1991) which was the original and the best of the SHO Taurii. Find this 1991 Ford Taurus SHO offered for $7250 in Los Molinos, CA via craigslist. Tip from Rock On!
From the seller:
1991 ford taurus sho
condition: excellent
cylinders: 6 cylinders
drive: fwd
fuel: gas
odometer: 147328
paint color: red
size: full-size
title status: clean
transmission: manual
type: sedan
I am the second owner of this beautifully cared for performance machine. I injured my back, so using the clutch is problematic. I have all service records for this vehicle. This has a high output 6 cylinder Yamaha motor, with a 5 speed manual transmission (incl. overdrive), power seats and air conditioning. New clutch 2 yrs ago. Timing belt and water pump at 145K miles. All front &and and rear suspension have been redone. Tires have about 1000 miles. Car was professionally repainted 2 years ago with the original 2-stage red metallic. It has the SHO Plus model fiberglass hood (for weight reduction). This car has the 235 hp Yamaha motor. It has power, torque, speed and comfort. The rear speakers have a short which the original owner began to work on, but I have not tackled it. I do have on original replacement radio that comes with the car. I also have new weatherstripping for the front doors – not needed yet, but included, I DON’T NEED HELP SELLING AND WILL REACT WITH VITRIOL TO SCAMMERS, SO DON’T BOTHER.
See a better way to drive a SHO? tips@dailyturismo.com
Good to see one with a stick for a change.
That shifter looks so… proud. This is a rad car for a fair price in a great color. The original Taurus is a really clean design that has held up well. And I had no idea there was an option for a fiberglass hood. Would daily!
It’s happy you noticed!
Summoning vitriol……………waiting…..waiting……..no slushbox…withdrawing vitriol……..rabbit fur interior………….vitriol summoned………..
The original SHO is a great find – they feel like Ford was trying to build an M3 competitor out of their sedan. They may not have succeeded 100%, but a failed attempt to match the M3 is better than a successful attempt to match the Camry.
As for the original being the best, there’s some definite exceptions. Dodge Darts, for example, had two rather awkward iterations before getting their overall size and shape pinned down in 1963, and most Mopar fans consider the 1967-1972 generation the pick of the lot for having the wider engine compartment but before they started slipping into malaise era overwrought styling. Toyota also seems to take several tries to get it right more often than not – for every Celica that nailed it out of the box, there’s at least one Corolla (would rather have an AE86 over the original 1966), MR2 (I’ve got to say I prefer the second generation to the first), or Supra (anything but the first generation!).
This is harder to find with movies, but I can think of a few. I’d take Pete Jackson’s Lord of the Rings over Ralph Bakshi’s any day (well, any day I have all day set aside to watch it). I haven’t had the chance to watch both the new and the original, but almost everyone who has claims that the remakes of The Maltese Falcon and Scarface are way better than the originals. (Note: The Bogart and the Pacino versions are the remakes.)