Of the many Special Vehicles Team (SVT) models created over the years, the Ford Contour SVT is easily one of the most obscure and unique. The now-defunct performance-focused group is most well-known for developing vehicles like the Ford Mustang SVT Cobra, the Ford F-150 SVT Lightning, and the first-generation F-150 SVT Raptor, but the Ford Contour SVT is an ultra-rare, more potent version of the now-defunct sedan that we certainly don’t see very often these days. However, there have been a few nice, low-mile Ford Contour SVT models that have popped up for sale as of late, and that now includes this 55k-mile example.
This nice 1999 Ford Contour SVT is currently up for auction at Cars & Bids with 52,500 miles on the clock, to be exact, and it remains in solid condition as a result of its relatively low usage. It’s finished in Silver Frost Metallic with the typical SVT-specific body kit and 16-inch wheels, but also, some modifications including BC Racing coilovers, purple lug nuts, faux carbon fiber roof rail inserts, tinted windows, and a Sony head unit. There are some scratches, scuffs, and fading clearcoat/trim pieces, but otherwise, the sporty sedan is in good condition on the outside.
The same is true of the interior, where one will find black leather upholstery with some wear and creases, as is typical, along with a non-functioning air conditioning system, a non-working emergency brake, and a missing dash cover. Power comes from the SVT-modified 2.5L V6 Duratec engine, which was factory-rated to generate 200 horsepower and 167 pound-feet of torque, flowing to the front wheels via a five-speed manual transmission.
This is just one of several Ford Contour SVT models we’ve seen hit the auction block as of late, potentially signaling increased collector interest in these once-forgotten machines. That list most recently includes a 1998 Contour SVT with 36k miles, as well as a 2000 model with 46k miles.
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Ford Contour and Mercury Mystique, two models that were at their peak when Ford stopped producing them. Both were great company cars as well as the Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable. But, Ford proved once again that they were paying attention and moved in the right direction.
Looking back at previous models makes one pause and ask yourself why we ever thought they looked good. Thanks Ford Motor Company for following trends of their customers.
Have You driven A Ford Lately?
I loved my 99 Contour. One of the best vehicles I ever owned. Got 30 mpg before 30 mpg was cool. Ran it over 7 years and 130K and then gave it to my niece. She ran it another 50K and sold it to one of her friends. Last I heard (years ago) it was over 200K and still rolling. Probably junked by now though. All it ever needed was a timing belt at 125K. Ran like a champ. 2.0L w transaxle. Very nice car.
I owned a 1998 Contour SE V6 in Torreador red with gray leather and 5-speed stick, loaded with every available option. I bought it “new” with five thousand miles on the odo, spending it’s first year as a dealer demonstrator. The car was the ultimate sleeper. It was fast, it handled, it was incredibly balanced…it got decent mileage from it’s bulletproof Duratec v-6, and its body structure was the most robust, solid, substantial and rattle free vehicle i have ever owned….it was by far the best compact European car on the market at the time. I would often give rides to people i worked with. Almost everyone would comment on the car, always positively. Nobody could id the car from the passenger seat. Most guessed Toyota, a couple guessed BMW, one each for Honda, Mazda (Mazda???) And VW. Every single one was shocked! Shocked, I say, upon learning it was a Ford. It was totaled when a driver in an Explorer ignored a red light, t-boning me hard enough to shear a fire hydrant, drive up a frozen snowpile, and end up against a sturdy sycamore tree. After being pulled onto the street by a wrecker, i re-started the car and drove it four blocks home. My insurance company came out to appraise the damage and promptly totaled it, in spite of it’s driveability. The non functional passenger doors and windows, the popped door cards, the non-opening decklid and the badly bent side subframe couldnt be fixed. I was heartsick losing that vehicle. I never found another. I ended up in a 2003 Focus hatchback.
My wife saw a ’99 SVT Contour in a dealer lot and said she wanted it. On the window was, “200 HP + 143 MPH = Lots of Fun”.
Married for about 20 years at the time and was 1st 4dr sedan for us.
We loved it and we competed in SCCA Solo II and she was GStock Ladies Champion at Mid West Divisional Championship.
Yes it was a great car!