Yahoo News 1989 Ford Probe GT Is Today's Bring a Trailer Pick
In the 1980s, this modern, front-wheel-drive sports coupe almost became the new Mustang.
Instead, the Ford Probe was fielded as its own model and was built on the same platform as the Mazda MX-6.
This first-gen example is the one to have as a GT with the turbocharged engine and manual transmission.
With a podium finish at this year's 24 Hours of Le Mans and a sold-out order list for the ultimate GTD model, it's safe to say the Ford Mustang still rides at full gallop. However, in the 1980s, Ford was eyeing its pony car up like a doctor from that Far Side cartoon where everyone has a white coat and a shotgun under their arm. The thinking was to replace the old-fashioned Fox-body 'Stang with something fresh, modern, and efficient, taking advantage of Ford's partnership with Mazda. Mustang fans balked at the idea, and the ponycar soldiered on—but Ford decided to build and sell the Mustang's would-be replacement right alongside it.
That car is what you see here: a first-generation Ford Probe. This 1989 Probe GT, up for auction on Bring A Trailer (which, like Car and Driver, is part of Hearst Autos), is notable both for its exceptionally original condition and desirable turbocharged engine and manual transmission. It's nothing like a Mustang, but it is a surprisingly quick and enjoyable sport coupe perfect for car show season.
"Probe" is perhaps a slightly unfortunate name. Intended to invoke futuristic Voyager spacecraft, it also sounded a bit like a too-close alien encounter. The name actually came from a series of experimental aerodynamic concept cars, and thus Ford had it all licensed and ready to go when this would-be front-wheel-drive Mustang suddenly needed a new name.
The first-generation Probe shared its platform with the Mazda MX-6 (as did the second-gen version), and was offered in the U.S. market with a 110-hp, 2.2-liter naturally aspirated engine as the base offering. By 1990, a 140-hp 3.0-liter V-6 was available, paired with an automatic transmission. You don't want either of those.
Instead, you want to slip behind the wheel of the GT version. Better hold on with both hands, though, as this is one of the torque-steering-est machines of the late 1980s. The small IHI turbocharger handing off the front of this Mazda-sourced F2T engine delivers a wallop of torque down low. Total output in factory trim is 145 horsepower and 190 pound-feet of torque.
The 12-valve engine does run out of steam as the revs climb, but with that substantial torque, a Probe GT feels quicker than it is. Thanks to that Mazda chassis, it's also good fun in the twisty bits, albeit much more front-heavy than the second-generation Probe GT that replaced it.
A Probe GT took second place in a C/D eight-car sub-$20K sport-coupe shootout in 1989, in earning praise for its gutsy engine and nimble (if a bit too taut) suspension. The article also noted that Ford's front-wheel-drive gamble was a smart move, as the company managed to sell 77,000 thousand of the cars in its debut year.
But when's the last time you actually saw one? Once plentiful, these sport coupes are rarely seen these days, especially one with both the turbocharged engine and five-speed manual. This example is said to be a one-owner car and shows just 88K miles on the odometer. The white paint is a good look for the Probe's aerodynamic styling, and the gray interior seems to have worn well over the years.
Being a top-of-the-range model, the GT gets some nice options as well. This one has cruise control, factory air conditioning, and even push-button adaptive dampers. It's offered along with what seems like quite a comprehensive service history and all factory manuals.
This fun little turbocharged coupe is an almost completely overlooked collectible. The Probe couldn't replace the Mustang, at least not in this universe, but it still got the chance to ride.
The auction ends on July 3.
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