Here’s another one that, like my recent posts on the ’76 Sunbird and ’79 Accord, used to be everywhere and are now almost a memory. But this one survived. These Tauruses were all over the place when I was a kid, sedan and wagon alike. Then, seemingly one day they all disappeared at once.
And for those who grew up in the ’80s, who could possibly forget Clark Griswold’s wood-festooned Taurus in Christmas Vacation? These wagons never came with the Country Squire-style Di-Noc wood sides. The movie car was simply modified to reflect Clark’s likely replacement to the Wagon Queen Family Truckster in the original Vacation movie.
This one is currently on San Diego Craigslist for $4500. Other than the Mercury Sable wire wheel covers, it appears to be a remarkably original car.
As the ad relates: “Very nice and clean classic 1987 Ford Taurus Wagon, 3.0L V6 Vulcan with only 158,000 original freeway miles. 8 seats, digital instrument cluster, 4 new GoodYear tires, power seats, power antenna, 4 power windows, power steering, power mirrors, cruise control, Board computer, 3rd row seat.”
“EVERYTHING WORKS PERFECTLY. Automatic transmission shifts as it should, the engine starts right up and strong, no leaks. Never been in any kind of accident.”
“No scratches or dents, all glass is good, all lights working, owner’s manual. The car starts, runs, drives, stops and is looking great. Very reliable.”
“Clean California title in hand, registration paid ’til July 2022. Original 80’s plates. Rare to find. IF THE AD IS UP THE CAR IS AVAILABLE.”
It’s been a LONG time since I’ve seen one of these in nice shape. By the time I was halfway through high school, most of these first-gen Tauruses were getting pretty rusty and were being handed down to teenage sons and daughters-likely as their parents bought brand-new Explorer Eddie Bauer editions.
This one looks to be pretty loaded up with the digi-dash and poofy seats, as it should, being the top of the line LX model.
These take me back to my childhood. There were SO MANY in the parking lot when I was in grade school. Our next door neighbors had one, my friend Jenny down the block, her parents had one. They were all over the frickin’ place. If I had the space and it wasn’t far away I’d be tempted to nab it, get a set of those optional lacy-spoke aluminum wheels, and play Clark Griswold on the weekends at cruise nites!