A Golden Relic
For me when someone asks for a place to eat or a movie to watch I always try my best and give them a hidden gem that they might not have found on their own. Some of the times they might have heard of it other times not at all, but then you tell them more and more about it, the excitement, the passion, and thrill radiates out of you like a summer breeze where they already feel connected to the experience. I feel this is the 1994 Ford Probe GT, a car delivering a driving experience that earned it a devoted following. From its responsive handling to its spirited V6 engine, the Probe GT had the makings of a true driver’s car, a hidden gem in the car world that is now only discovering it again.
Pictured: 1994 Ford Probe GT
I had one, blue, like a pool. It did everything I asked for and more. It was a back road king, a SUV, a wagon, did two across county road trips in it, had it for two seasons in Tahoe, and lived with me SF and MA, it never let me down and was just sublime to drive no matter the mood. The stance was perfect regardless the direction it was facing. The front end was striking and drew you in with its aggressive, seductive allure, to the perfectly positioned integrated three-quarter vertical hidden door handles that blended seamlessly within the sculpted doors. Every curve led effortlessly to the rear, where the design culminated in a masterpiece of aerodynamics and style. Once inside, you were snug and positioned perfectly with an unmistakable driver-focused layout, the shifter position felt like a natural extension of your arm. The shifts were purposeful and satisfying, and though the throws leaned slightly on the longer side, it seemed to balance out somehow.
However, if there was one area for improvement it could have used more power, but not much, maybe another 50 to 75hp. I have driven everything from Ferraris to Daihatsus and have found that more power is not the key to exciting driving. It is balance. You can put power into any car, even one with a good drivetrain but without balance it is a one trick pony that will eventually become boring. Driving a car at 75% of its max is where you find the nexus of thrill and fear and that is where you want to be with a sports car. It is hard to that with modern cars, either they are too powerful or too heavy, most of the time both. There are some exceptions out there, the GR86, Miata, Emira come to mind, but there are others. But for the rest of them you are going to need a road as big as Nebraska and balls just as large to get anywhere near that nexus.
Ok, first thing is first and I think we all agree the name is what really killed the Probe. It was a poor choice, has too many innuendos to cover in this article, was not well received by males or females or anyone living. Despite all that the Probe does hold an unknown and distinctive place in automotive history, that possibly could have skewed Ford’s trajectory of a company, almost putting the pony out to the pasture. The Probe was Ford’s vision of a modern, sporty coupe designed to captivate drivers in the 1980s and 1990s. Created in partnership with Mazda, the Probe blended American design with Japanese engineering, offering a sporty, practical, and innovative car. However, its story is a book out of Homer’s Odyssey, one of ambitious goals, unforeseen obstacles, and a legacy that remains polarizing among enthusiasts. It is like that scene in Raiders of the lost Ark, Indy has made it through booby traps (first Gen) and is now at the artifact or relic (Gen 2), the Golden Monkey. He is contemplating on how to retrieve the relic. He has a bag of sand in one hand deciding how much sand to take out to not activate the counter weight that the relic is on and not to kill himself and destroy the relic at the same time. That is the Ford and Probe saga…..kinda.
Pictured: Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones in Raiders of the Lost Ark
The Origins: The "Mustang Alternative"
The 1980’s a time of excess, large cell phones, conflicts with Russia, Tom Cruise was flying high with Top Gun and when automakers were adapting to rising concerns about fuel efficiency and shifting consumer preferences. So, pretty much no different than today. Ford was aiming its sights to develop a lightweight, front-wheel-drive sports coupe tailored for the modern era. To capture this dream Ford partnered with Mazda, leveraging their expertise in front-wheel-drive platforms. This collaboration enabled Ford to draw on Mazda's advanced engineering capabilities, particularly in handling and powertrain development, while Ford would focus its efforts on styling and marketing.
Everything aligned with Ford's vision for the Probe to replace the aging Mustang with its traditional rear-wheel-drive platform with the Probe’s more progressive and modern front wheel drive set up. However, when rumors emerged that the Probe might replace the Mustang, it sparked outrage among Mustang enthusiasts. Critics and enthesitis argued that not only a front-wheel-drive car but a Japanese-engineered successor would stray too far from the Mustang's iconic legacy. Due to the overwhelming backlash, Ford chose to keep the Mustang on its traditional platform and rebranded the Probe as a distinct sporty coupe, which was the start of its collapse.
Pictured: 1989 Ford Probe Turbo
The first gen debuted in 1988 for the 1989 model was a modest success, appealing to younger buyers who wanted a sporty car with practicality and modern features. It featured sleek, futuristic styling that was influenced by the aerodynamic trends of the 1980s with pop-up headlights (always a bonus), a low-slung body, and a wide stance gave it a sporty appearance. Performance was adequate but nothing to really write home about and the front-wheel-drive configuration limited its appeal compared to much more desired rear-wheel-drive competitors. It was a solid introduction, made waves, and definitely opened eyes to buyers who would have not had it on their radar. But it was the jaw dropping refinement and evolution of the second generation that took the critics and enthusiasts by storm.
Outside of the significant updates, a curvier, sexier, and more sculpted design, it also harnessed a more modern upscale stance, shedding the sharp edges of its predecessor. Performance was also increased thanks to the Mazda-sourced 2.5-liter KL-DE V6 engine. This naturally aspirated power plant churned out an impressive 164 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 160 lb-ft of torque at 4,800 rpm, now this may not sound like much but it was plenty for a car that tipped the scales at 2,800 lbs. The punchy V6 made acceleration a thrill with a brisk 0-60 mph time of around 7.2 seconds, but always felt quicker.
The engine was smooth and responsive, with a high-revving nature that yearned for the canyons and back roads. Its 24-valve DOHC configuration allowed for strong performance at higher RPMs while maintaining refinement at lower speeds. Drivers praised its linear power delivery through the five-speed manual and the distinct growl of the V6 under hard acceleration. It wasn’t the fastest car in its class, but its engaging driving dynamics more than made up for it. It was the kind of car that felt alive in your hands, rewarding skilled drivers with its balance and responsiveness.
Pictured: Ford Probe GT Engine
But it was the driving position, the uninterrupted feedback you received through the chassis, and the responsive handling that really made this car very special and separated from the likes of its competitors. Mazda’s engineering influence was the brilliance behind this and was well praised. The GT featured a fully independent suspension with MacPherson struts in the front and Mazda’s proprietary Twin-Trapezoidal Link (TTL) rear setup. Its lightweight construction and well-sorted suspension allowed for nimble cornering. This combination provided a near-perfect balance between sharp handling and ride comfort, making the car fun and composed in everyday use, but drop the clutch and it exploded with a burst of joy and vigor while driving on twisty back roads. Ford equipped the GT with front and rear anti-roll bars, helping to minimize body roll and maintain composure in tight corners. The car’s well-tuned chassis made it nimble and easy to control, while the precise, power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering provided excellent feedback to the driver. The GT also came standard with 16-inch alloy wheels boasting 225/50R16 tires, further enhancing its road-holding capabilities. On twisty roads, the GT felt at home. It wasn’t just the grip that impressed but the predictability of its behavior. It delivered a level of confidence that made drivers feel connected to the road, much like its Mazda siblings. This dynamic agility set it apart from many of its competitors in the affordable sports coupe market.
Because of this the GT was well-received and gained a reputation as one of the best-handling front-wheel-drive cars of its era, during the paramount of sports coupes, the Eclipse, Corrado, Prelude, and even the mighty Integra. The GT carved out a niche among those sport coupes and I would go as far to say that you could put the GT in the realm, on the far edge of the realm, but in the realm of the RX-7, Miata, and Elise, in terms of feel and confidence, even though those are rear wheel drive vehicles. They were never the fastest in their group of friends but they were always the ones you kept calling up and wanting to hang out with.
Well praised, perfectly engineered, adored by critics and enthusiasts, so how did this gem turn into a Greek tragedy? The quick answer is Ford. OK, it was not completely Ford’s fault, there were a number of other factors that led to its demise. The first was definitely Ford with its brand positioning pulling an Icarus and flying too close to the sun. With the credited success of the Probe on the rise Ford thought it would be a good idea to bring in yet another sporty coupe into the line-up. The Escort GT. The Escort was already a well-established entry level eco-box. With the decision to add the Escort GT to the lineup this third child made the Probe struggle to establish a clear identity in Ford’s lineup. The Probe was positioned above the Ford Escort GT but below the Mustang, making it harder to define its target audience. People were not willing to pay the extra amount for an entry level Probe when they could get a fully specked out Escort GT that was cheaper and faster. Adding fuel to the fire were the production costs. What did Bodie say in Point Break? “If you want the ultimate, you have to be willing to pay the ultimate price,” and with the Probe it was its reliance on Mazda and its components. The reason why the Probe was revered and performed so well was because Mazda did not cut corners, this decision made it more expensive to produce than Ford’s other models and therefore had to be sold at higher price to offset the production costs. Throw this in with declining sales and you have an increasingly difficult conversation to justify its continued production. The last and probably the most effective, the one that killed the minivan, wagon, and ultimately the small sporty coupe, was the SUV. You have to remember it was 1994 and the market was drastically and rapidly shifting toward SUVs reducing the demand for sport coupes, it was not just the Probe that was being ostracized, it was all of the small sporty coupe genre. The market hit an untapped oil reserve with the SUV and it sucked the sales out everything.
Pictured: Ford Probe GT interior
With any hidden relic you want to share the brilliance of your discovery with everyone so they to can be a part of the moment and engage in its importance. The GT may have been overshadowed by more prominent sports cars of its era, but it has since earned a reputation among enthusiasts as an underrated gem. Blending Mazda’s engineering expertise with Ford’s distinctive styling, the GT offered a car that was both practical and exciting to drive. The 1994 model year stands out as the pinnacle of its refinement and performance. Today, the Probe GT has earned its right on the podium and is highly regarded by those who value its unique combination of affordability, performance, and driving enjoyment. Whether tackling winding mountain roads or navigating city streets, the GT exemplifies the art of crafting a well-balanced sports coupe. In an era when automakers pushed the boundaries of design and performance, the GT resonated with drivers seeking a deeper connection to the road. Though it didn’t achieve the success Ford had longed for, the Probe left a lasting impression on the automotive world. Its cult following among enthusiasts is a testament to its distinctive styling, spirited performance, and the influence of Mazda’s sporty DNA. While it was never did replace the Mustang, and died in the process, it forged its own legacy as a car that brought innovation and excitement to the sporty coupe segment.
Like most things in life, you don’t realize how amazing something is until it’s gone or you replace it with something else. Maybe I am wanting my youth back or trying to hold on to the past, remembering an easier or better time, and if the Probe GT is part of that, all the better. I truly do miss driving my Probe GT, it was perfect and I wish I had it again. Was it a gem? Absolutely.
