Most one-off engines belong to the world of exotic supercars — think the Mercedes-AMG One and its Formula 1-derived hybrid powertrain. What you almost never see is a mainstream brand like Ford commissioning a bespoke engine for a family sedan, then keeping it exclusive to that single nameplate. Yet that is exactly what happened with the Ford Taurus SHO V6 — and it makes this unassuming four-door one of the most intriguing used-car finds hiding in plain sight.
The Ford Taurus SHO ran a Yamaha-built 3.0-liter V6 engine that was exclusive to the nameplate, and the second generation added a 3.2-liter version of this engine to the lineup as well. The third generation ran on an exclusive 3.4L Cosworth/Yamaha SHO V8 engine, and the fourth-gen model packed a twin-turbo EcoBoost 3.5L V6. We’re specifically interested in the V6 today, because we think this could be one of the most attractive hidden gems on the used market right now. Here’s why.
A Look At The Ford SHO V6 Engine
First-Gen Taurus SHO Engine Specs
Engine
3.0L NA V6
Bore
3.5 inches
Stroke
3.15 inches
Power
220 bhp
Torque
200 lb-ft
Compression Ratio
9.8:1
The Taurus SHO’s first V6 engine featured an iron cylinder block with aluminum cylinder heads, and it was produced by Yamaha Motor Corporation under contract with Ford, based on the Vulcan V6 engine. The unit was water-cooled and breathed through a 24-valve dual-overhead-cam valvetrain.
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Part of the engine’s appeal among gearheads is that it’s a really cool-looking powerplant, and it has a great sound to it, too. Listen how the engine note changes as this driver gets it up to 70 mph:
The second-gen 3.2-liter engines would eventually make their way into 40 hand-built Mercury Sables, with 20 being released to the public. The first-gen 3.0s were only packed into a single official Ford vehicle besides the Taurus, though. This was a one-off “SHO Ranger,” built in collaboration with Roush Racing and paired with a T-5 manual transmission from a Mustang GT.
The Ford Taurus Super High Output
The SHO V6 was built specifically for the first-gen Ford Taurus, so how did it perform in its natural environment?
1989 Ford Taurus SHO Performance Specs
Horsepower
220 hp
0-60 mph
6.7 seconds
Top Speed
143 mph
Drivetrain
RWD
Transmission
5-speed manual
In terms of performance, the 1989 Ford Taurus SHO was a genuine match for the Ford Mustang GT of its era. A 1989 Mustang GT could clear 60 mph in just over six seconds, and the four-door SHO trailed by only about half a second, with both cars topping out in the 140-145 mph range. That makes the Taurus SHO a textbook sleeper car — easy to recommend if you’re a fan of American muscle from this era and want something genuinely unique. Its roomy four-door cabin also makes it a more practical proposition than a coupe or convertible for buyers who need everyday usability.
The first generation Ford Taurus SHO covered the model years of 1989 to 1991, the 3.0 was the only engine offered for the car, and the Mazda-built MTX-IV five-speed manual was the only transmission. So as long as you’re getting something from the 1989-1991 model years, and as long as it hasn’t been modified, you’ll be getting the performance specs we’ve listed here.
What Will A Ford Taurus SHO Cost You Today?
It’s not exactly a hidden gem if it costs a fortune to drive it home, right? So what can you expect to spend on a first-gen Ford Taurus SHO?
Kelley Blue Book’s fair purchase price estimates for the Ford Taurus only date back to 1992, but J.D. Power has some averages listed for the first three model years.
Model Year
Average Price
1989
$1,400
1990
$1,450
1991
$1,475
At the lower end of the price range, you’re probably looking at a minimum of a quarter million miles on the odometer and a listing that reads “as is” or “handyman’s delight.” That’s perfectly fine if you’re after a project car. If you want something you can actually drive home, you’ll want to check out the auction sites.
It’s Not Hard To Find A First-Gen Taurus SHO In Good Condition For Under $15,000
Browsing listings on Bring a Trailer, we were able to turn up a 42,000-mile 1989 SHO that sold for $10,250 back in 2023, and an 18,000-mile 1990 SHO that sold for $13,000 that same year. 1991 model SHOs seem to be less common, as the freshest auction we could turn up was a 2018 listing for a 76,000-mile 1991 SHO that sold for just $5,500.
Ford produced 15,519 Taurus SHOs for 1989, 8,302 for 1990, and 8,916 for 1991; those first-year models will likely be the easiest to find.
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It’s not easy to dig up extensive maintenance data on a car now well over three decades old that sold in limited numbers, but fans of the first-gen Taurus SHO generally report that it’s not the most difficult car from this era to keep running, provided you buy one with relatively low miles. The SHO is reliable, but it’s also the kind of car that attracts enthusiastic drivers who put the pedal to the metal every chance they got — and that can take years off a car’s life expectancy. Ideally, you want to hold out for something with a single previous owner, and hopefully that was the seller’s dad or a favorite uncle.
As long as you’re getting something with fewer than 100,000 miles on the odometer, you’re probably going to have more issues with the rather iffy upholstery falling apart than you will with major mechanical repairs.
Sources: Ford, Bring a Trailer, Ford-Taurus.org.
