The Relatively Short-Lived Ford Probe
The short life of the Ford Probe, which was a model put out by the company for the 1989 model year, was notable for the daring design of the first generation (there were two, in total). Designed to replace the older Ford EXP, it was built on the Mazda G chassis and platform and was a front wheel driver that had actually been intended to eventually replace the iconic Ford Mustang in the company’s lineup.
The Ford Probe was also intended as a kind of fighter against an anticipated rise in oil prices, with the aim of the car’s designers to deliver a vehicle that boasted excellent performance in both 4 and 6 cylinder trim while also helping company average fuel economy goals. It largely delivered on both fronts, though sales upon its introduction in 1988 as a 1989 model never did live up to expectations.
When it was introduced, the Probe sported a futuristic wedge-type shape that attracted many but also left more than a few potential buyers a little cold. Produced at the joint-venture Ford/Mazda facility in Flat Rock, Michigan, it shared many of its mechanicals with the similar Mazda 626 though the Probe’s sheetmetal was far, far different.
Sales of the car, however, even after its redesign in 1993 led to it winning Car of the Year awards from a couple of different automotive magazines, were perennially disappointing and the plug was finally pulled at the end of the 1997 model run.
As far as performance went, the Probe always managed to deliver, even with a 2. 2 liter four cylinder engine, which put out a decent 110 horses. The turbocharged version of that engine could spool itself up to 148 ponies, which was quite nice, and the V6 offering came in at just 5 horses less than the high-performance turbo 4.
For its era — especially considering how Ford during those years had a corporate-instilled unwillingness to react swiftly to changes in the market place — the Probe turned out to be a very nice vehicle. It was truly designed to be a platform for interesting technologies and the engines offered, along with the chassis and other bits and pieces, made the first generation model anything but uninteresting.
The years since the model’s discontinuation have proven the durability of the second generation’s chassis and underpinnings, and there are still a number of outstanding examples of the hot-rod version of the Probe (the GT, which boasted a normally aspirated V6 that put out 164 robust horses), which came kitted out in front-wheel drive and a vigorous performance stance.
Andy Zain is the admin of Ford Probe Forum , a place where fans and owners can get the right information for tuning, customization and general discussions on anything about Ford Probe. Get the information you need when you visit Ford Truck Forums
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