Strange Speed: 1st gen Taurus SHO

3.0 liter, 24 valve, 7300 rpm redline, and 220 horse power; not words most would associate with a 90’s Ford Taurus. The first generation Taurus SHO doesn’t look like much, but it is a definite future classic. What makes the Taurus SHO so special is its 3.0 V6 that was co-developed with Yamaha. Adding to the special factor was a 5 speed manual transmission which further engaged the driver in the driving experience. This engine takes the mundane family hauler and turns it into a back-road pleasure. Although it was front wheel drive, it was more than capable of keeping up with its much more expensive German competitors.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/autohistorian/25030464851

Ford has revived the SHO name with the current Taurus, and on paper it’s better in every way. However, the new SHO will never be as special as the original for many reasons. The current Taurus is powered by the EcoBoost V6 that can be found in many other Ford products, and that is truly a shame. Had ford used a Cosworth tuned V6 or V8 paired to a manual transmission they could have had something truly special, but the result was just a fast Taurus and nothing more.

This car was a performance bargain when it was new, but it offers even more value today. The first generation Taurus SHO will undoubtedly go up in value in the future, but right now they can be had for less than $5,000. The only catch is that they are pretty rare these days, and it’s even more rare to find one in great shape. SHOs are something special. They should be cared for and held on to because they aren’t going to get any cheaper.