We don’t normally ask readers to work too hard when they’re checking out classic car ads, but we do have an observation to share: The sporty Fords of the late Eighties were available with a fascinating array of engines.
Consider that the Escort GT made do with a “high-output” 8-valve 4-cylinder engine, the Probe a turbocharged 16-valve four, the Mustang GT a burly old-school overhead-valve V8, and the Thunderbird SC a supercharged V6. Today a similar Ford lineup would likely be powered entirely by turbocharged 4-cylinder EcoBoost mills. Though, in fairness, the Mustang can still be had with a 5.0-liter V8. Interesting, too, that every sporty Dodge seen here is a Shelby variant of some sort.
Sporty rides are a little less common in 2020 than they were in 1989, so enjoy this throwback to a time when the GT suffix was in popular use and the word “turbo” was still included in model names. Be sure to visit the gallery below for larger images of the ads.
Dodge Daytona
Fratzog Madness! 10 Classic Dodge Ads
Dodge Dakota
Review Flashback! 2011 Dodge Dakota
Dodge Shadow
A Suggestion for Chrysler: Bring Back Cab Forward . . . and the Fratzog!
Ford Escort
Model-Year Madness! 10 Classic Sporty-Coupe Ads From 1979
Ford Mustang
Ford Probe
Why is Probe a bad model name?
Ford Thunderbird
Review Flashback! 1984 Ford Thunderbird Turbo Coupe
Mazda MX-6
Cheap Wheels: 1988 Mazda 626 Turbo AWS
Peugeot 405
Paris Madness! 12 Classic French Car Ads
Pontiac Firebird
Pony-Car Madness! 10 Classic Firebird Ads
Saab 900
Review Flashback! 1984 Saab 900
Toyota Celica
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