It is not every day you come across a late eighties performance coupe with a local Wisconsin pedigree this pure and well documented. On December 1, 1988, the original owners drove from Sheboygan to the Marc Plaza Hotel in Milwaukee for Ford's invitation only American Classics 89 reveal party hosted by Dick Clark. After falling in love with the newly unveiled Super Coupe that evening, they placed their order the very same week and took delivery in the spring of 1989 at Kennedy's B&B Ford in Sheboygan Falls. Showing just 56,793 original miles today, this one owner 1989 Ford Thunderbird Super Coupe has been pampered in a climate controlled garage away from harsh winters since day one. Crowned the 1989 Motor Trend Car of the Year, this specific car is 1 of just 4,628 automatic transmission Super Coupes produced for the model year.
Under the hood sits the heart of the SC package, a 3.8 liter EFI intercooled and supercharged V6 engine that breathes through a factory dual exhaust system. That forced induction punch is routed through an optional four speed automatic overdrive transmission to a Traction Lok rear axle. Ford engineered the Super Coupe to handle like a proper grand tourer, outfitting this chassis with four wheel independent SLA suspension, automatic adjustable handling suspension, speed sensitive rack and pinion steering, and four wheel anti lock disc brakes. Better yet, this Thunderbird has been exclusively serviced by its authorized Ford dealership and the same trusted technician throughout its entire life.
Finished in classic Oxford White with black bodyside moldings and aerodynamic lower ground effects, the exterior looks every bit the showroom survivor. It sits right on factory 16 by 7 inch directional cast aluminum wheels wrapped in Goodyear Eagle GT tires. Up front, low profile headlamps and integrated fog lamps give it a sleek, unmistakable profile, while the rear bumper proudly wears the recessed Thunderbird SC lettering. Having only been entered in a single local car show at the 2014 Sheboygan Falls Ducktona, this fair weather cruiser has spent its life enjoying leisurely drives along Lake Michigan and trips to Door County.
Stepping inside reveals an immaculate Currant Red cloth and vinyl cabin that looks like a true 1989 time capsule. You are locked in place by articulated sport bucket seats featuring dual six way power adjustments, power lumbar, and power adjustable seat back bolsters. The driver faces a leather wrapped SC sport steering wheel framing a full performance analog gauge cluster complete with a tachometer and factory boost gauge. Carrying an original MSRP of $22,239, this car was heavily optioned with Preferred Equipment Package 157, air conditioning, speed control, an anti theft system, and the top tier Ford JBL audio system featuring both a cassette deck and a rare factory compact disc player. Complete with its original window sticker, the 1988 reveal party invitation, and a written history from the original owners, this Thunderbird bearing VIN 1FAPP64R5KH172203 is an unrepeatable collector piece.
