1989 Ford Thunderbird SC Ad, Sports Car Ads
1989 Ford Thunderbird SC Ad

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.

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Dodge Daytona

1989 Dodge Daytona Shelby Ad
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Dodge Dakota

1989 Dodge Shelby Dakota Ad
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Dodge Shadow

1989 Dodge Shadow Shelby CSX Ad
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Ford Escort

1989 Ford Escort GT Ad
1989 Ford Escort GT Ad

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Ford Mustang

1989 Ford Mustang GT Ad
1989 Ford Mustang GT Ad

More Mustang fun

 

Ford Probe

1989 Ford Probe GT Ad (Canada)
1989 Ford Probe GT Ad (Canada)

Why is Probe a bad model name?

 

Ford Thunderbird

1989 Ford Thunderbird SC Ad
1989 Ford Thunderbird SC Ad

Review Flashback! 1984 Ford Thunderbird Turbo Coupe

 

Mazda MX-6

1989 Mazda MX-6 GT Ad
1989 Mazda MX-6 GT Ad

Cheap Wheels: 1988 Mazda 626 Turbo AWS

 

Peugeot 405

1989 Peugeot 405 Mi16 Ad
1989 Peugeot 405 Mi16 Ad

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Pontiac Firebird

1989 Pontiac Firebird 20th Anniversary Trans Am Ad
1989 Pontiac Firebird 20th Anniversary Trans Am Ad

Pony-Car Madness! 10 Classic Firebird Ads

 

Saab 900

1989 Saab 900 Turbo Ad
1989 Saab 900 Turbo Ad

Review Flashback! 1984 Saab 900

 

Toyota Celica

1989 Toyota Celica All-Trac Turbo Ad
1989 Toyota Celica All-Trac Turbo Ad

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