I don’t know if it was due to Jack’s post on the 5-speed V6 Tempo, but today I ran across this. Last time I saw one of these early “Tempazes” was probably 1994 or so, though I do see the final-gen Tempo sedans around even today.
But these early ones? Nope. So I was drawn to this one on Marketplace, especially in that spiffy red on red color combo. Remember when car interiors were color-keyed to the exterior paint? That’s pretty much extinct now too.
At any rate, this one is in remarkable shape, with less than 25,000 miles on the clock. Per the ad: “1985 Mercury Topaz with 21k original miles. This car is like brand new. Daily driver currently. Rubber parts replaced including tires, cv axle, all belts, valve cover gasket, front calipers, wipers.”
“New exhaust, power steering pump, water pump, fluids flushed and replaced. Never seen a winter or salt. Absolutely no rust. All plastics restored. You will never find one in this shape again. Amazing on gas. 3 speed automatic 4 cylinder 2.3 ford engine.”
They’re asking six grand. No idea what these are worth. When new they were just fairly humdrum daily drivers, always the wallflower next to the Town Cars and Cougars it shared showrooms with. So I couldn’t call this one a Klockau Lust Object. But seeing this made my morning. Like a part of my past popped up to say hi. And that’s worth something.