Ford launched the Ford Tempo and its Mercurized twin, the Topaz, for the 1984 mannequin 12 months. After ten years and effectively over three million vehicles produced, the Tempaz was changed by the Mondeo-based Contour/Mystique. These vehicles are largely forgotten now and really tough to search out within the boneyards, so I used to be happy to run throughout this final-year Tempo in very good situation.
Simply take a look at that inside! It is not fairly as good because the one we noticed lately in a discarded 1987 Mazda 323, however nonetheless nicer than what you’d discover in most five-year-old financial system vehicles right this moment.
Ford was nonetheless utilizing five-digit odometers in lots of its vehicles in 1994, so we will not know the precise remaining mileage on this one. 57,220 is believable, given its situation.
It began its profession at Phil Lengthy Ford in Denver, which continues to be in enterprise right this moment.
It is a base-grade GL mannequin, which had an MSRP of $11,270 with a three-speed computerized transmission. That is about $24,247 in 2024 {dollars}.
With two doorways and a five-speed handbook, the record worth was $9,465 ($20,363 after inflation).
The engine is a 2.3-liter HSC pushrod four-cylinder, primarily two-thirds of the outdated 200-cubic-inch straight six. Energy was 96 horsepower and 126 pound-feet. The Taurus-derived Vulcan 3.0-liter V6 might be had as an choice within the later Tempo.
There’s air-con and an AM/FM radio, which (coupled with the grey fabric upholstery) will increase the chance that this automobile started life in a fleet.
The Tempo/Topaz was based mostly on an enlarged Escort chassis, and it changed the Fox-platform Fairmont/Zephyr.
It can go to the crusher with few elements bought, because the Tempaz is sort of extinct within the wild.
Within the Tempo’s remaining 12 months, the offers smelled of desperation.
“We’re barely overstocked on Ford Tempos. Really, we have got Tempos popping out our ears.”
Within the early days, Tempo promoting bragged about options.