Fo’SHO

1993 Ford Taurus SHO 5-Speed

(This listing is from Bring a Trailer.)

There’s plenty of “they don’t make ‘em like this anymore” to go around in automotive circles, but goddamn—they really don’t make ‘em like this anymore.

Do they make ‘em better? Oh goodness yes.

Even if no one else is, the Germans are still cranking out reasonably stylish, rear wheel drive, four-door sedans…but good luck finding one with a five-speed that’s going to respond so exceptionally well to gear flogging executed in anger.

Likewise, there’s no shortage of unmodified early-90s Toyotas that might not be as quick in a straight line but are significantly more eager to lay another 100,000 hassle-free miles at your feet while also delivering a comparable degree of taxicab chic.

And yeah, there are probably some late model GM products with SSs in the names that’ll deliver a similar experience, though not one of them will set off the same pangs of jealousy in the local cops who thought they’d be whipping around corners in at least a Crown Vic but somehow spend the morning arguing over who gets the Explorer with the air conditioning that still works.

Of course, if you’ve read this far, you know that none of that matters. Because this thing is special. Nobody grew up with one on their wall. Nobody’s going to be impressed that you have one. And nobody’s going to pay you more for it in two years than you’re going to pay for this a couple of days from now.

But damned if driving the piss out of one of these in between rounds of cruising about in glorious 90s cushiness isn’t going to bring you the kind of satisfaction that really just isn’t available any longer at any price.

Just ask the eight previous owners of this one, each more diligent with maintenance and gentle on the consumables than the last.

Oh, and the wheels? No, they aren’t the plastic Pep Boys hubcaps you know and love. These are what inspired the plastic Pep Boys hubcaps you know and love in the first place.

Admit it. They’re calling you. Fo’SHO.