For the most part, few would call the Ford Tempo or Mercury Topaz collectible vehicles or future classics, which is understandable given the fact that both served as economical modes of basic transportation during their heyday, and neither was produced in what anyone would consider limited quantities. However, in recent months, we’ve started to see some of these models pop up at various collector car auctions, including a 1986 Tempo LX with just 13k original miles, as well as a rather rare 1985 Mercury Topaz XR5. Now, that trend continues with this – a very nice 1994 Mercury Topaz GS that’s up for grabs at Bring a Trailer.
With just 69k miles showing on the odometer, this 1994 Mercury Topaz GS has clearly been well-cared-for over its years of existence, despite having spent some time in snowy, salt-covered Michigan and Pennsylvania. On the outside, it certainly presents nicely with mostly pristine Cayman Green Metallic paint and gray lower cladding, along with gray 14-inch seven-spoke alloy wheels. The seller did complete a full paint correction and ceramic coated the sedan prior to its listing, however.
The same goes for the rather stellar Opal Gray cloth interior, which is in excellent condition and fitted with a nice list of amenities that includes a multi-function steering wheel, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, power windows and locks, an AM/FM/cassette player, cruise control, and air conditioning.
Power, as one might imagine from a car built in this era, is quite modest, with a 2.3-liter inline-four cylinder engine under the hood producing a mere 96 horsepower and 126 pound-feet of torque, which flows to the front wheels via a five-speed manual transmission. Regardless, there certainly aren’t many Mercury Topaz sedans nicer than this one out there in the world, and we imagine that someone will be pleased to bring it home.
We’ll have more cool auction finds to share soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for more Mercury news and ongoing Ford news coverage.
Comments
My first new car was a white 2-door Tempo Sport stick with that pretty blue insert line in belt line. Fun car, good in the snow, never gave me problems.
You had the 3.73 gears like my 1991 Tempo GLS. That gave the car pretty good acceleration for its modest power output, really made good use out of that torque.
This one has the “economy” geared 5 speed, so it wouldn’t be quite as sprightly off the line, but it should return 35+ MPG (I’ve gotten even better out of my economy 5spd Tempos before).
My favorite was a 1992 Tempo LX V-6. Really miss that car.
Very under-appreciated little cars. I’ve had a few of them, and am honestly looking at a 1993 two door right now with even lower miles. Its 7.5 hours away is the only thing stopping me.
HOWEVER, before the requisite “back when Ford made cars unlike today!” comments come rolling in, its important to remember that Ford lost money on these cars. They sold them for less than it cost them to build them (thanks UAW and Unifor). They were basically charity, in a sense, they were cheaper than any other car in their class at the time.
I had a 93 Tempo. Good little car that was nice looking and rode nice on the highway. Good gas mileage and great in the snow too. That is, until the ex-old lady trashed it, near totaled, not once, but twice. Eventually had to sell it for parts.
I had a 1989 Mercury Topaz that I bought new from Landau Lincoln Mercury Sales in Winnipeg in September 1989. Had that car for just over 16 years and 300,000+ KMs. These are good under-rated daily drivers. Was excellent in snow.