Alan, the 1989 Ford Probe GT Turbo

Alan, the 1989 Ford Probe GT Turbo

Author
Discussion

Gary29

4,155 posts

99 months

Tuesday 24th April 2018
quotequote all
Horrendous.

I love it.

GrantD5

572 posts

88 months

Tuesday 24th April 2018
quotequote all
C70R said:
Absolutely hideous. Fantastic choice.
Precisely what I wanted to say biggrin

Spinakerr

1,178 posts

145 months

Tuesday 24th April 2018
quotequote all
Great choice, back when Ford was a firearms department away form being OCP from the Robocop films. Love it.

Cruise control should be an afternoon taking out fossilised wiring, surely?

SturdyHSV

10,095 posts

167 months

Tuesday 24th April 2018
quotequote all
For something with Turbo on the side, that's a surprisingly pessimistic speedo.

What a machine, please change nothing externally and make it fast hehe

ETA: Another one who had no idea this car existed

MX6

5,983 posts

213 months

Tuesday 24th April 2018
quotequote all
SturdyHSV said:
What a machine, please change nothing externally and make it fast hehe
Even if the period three spokes were kept I think it could still do with some stance - shorter springs all round and wheel spacers wouldn't go amiss as the offset on the rears looks too high. As for making it faster, it definitely needs to have the boost dialed up, it would be rude not to. Obviously needs a manual boost controller fitted, probably a higher flowing pump chucked in the tank and maybe an FMU too... Cheap and cheerful mod's.

W00DY

Original Poster:

15,491 posts

226 months

Tuesday 24th April 2018
quotequote all
I do fancy a bit of boost fun as it feels a little lacklustre after the 290ish bhp Saab, but I'm not sure the little turbo has much more to give!


That drag version looks great! Shame it's not RWD from the factory, but then it'd probably be worth several times as much if it were.

Cruise doesn't bother me really, but i do need to sort the lack of any functioning blower motor.

bungz

1,960 posts

120 months

Wednesday 25th April 2018
quotequote all
Whoever thought that interior with that paint laugh

Awful.

What a fantastic thing.

MrBrightSi

2,912 posts

170 months

Wednesday 25th April 2018
quotequote all
The advert just made me want to go to mars and do something with my life, be somebody. So 80's it hurts.

Kitchski

6,515 posts

231 months

Wednesday 25th April 2018
quotequote all
That is absolutely shocking. Hideous in fact. It should come with a warning label. I'm someone who doesn't care too much what others think, and yet, I'm not sure I could. It nearly makes the newer one look less abysmal.



Brilliant, well played sir! Bookmarked for future updates biggrin

W00DY

Original Poster:

15,491 posts

226 months

Wednesday 25th April 2018
quotequote all
None. None more red.










Yes, a new steering wheel is on the list.


How is it drive you're all asking? Well after managing to go for a bit of a B-road blast, I've found that it's far better than I expected and genunely fun. The steering is weighty (it has variable steering weight which is pretty crap round town where it just switsches between light and heavy all the time), turn in is good and the suspension is nicely sprung and very composed with great balance. The torque makes it quite punchy and the brakes are good too. I'm starting to get back into the swing of LHD in the UK too.


There's an appalling fan belt (i think) squeal, but only at night, in the day it's a bit of a chirp and then quiet. I shall order a new belt sand see if that helps.

F1GTRUeno

6,354 posts

218 months

Wednesday 25th April 2018
quotequote all
That's delightfully terrible.

CharlesdeGaulle

26,265 posts

180 months

Wednesday 25th April 2018
quotequote all
Why is it called Alan?

W00DY

Original Poster:

15,491 posts

226 months

Wednesday 25th April 2018
quotequote all
CharlesdeGaulle said:
Why is it called Alan?
A friend named it Alan Probe as a somewhat childish joke and it's stuck.

Matt Cup

3,158 posts

104 months

Wednesday 25th April 2018
quotequote all
I’m surprised that it doesn’t have those daft seat belts that slide down the a pillar.

Turbotechnic

675 posts

76 months

Wednesday 25th April 2018
quotequote all
They don't make interiors like that anymore! Pretty cool car.

Prinny

1,669 posts

99 months

Wednesday 25th April 2018
quotequote all
If a new steering wheel is on the list as you say, please please please can it be a red one?

I am strangely drawn to this, though the more I look, the more I feel it needs a straight ‘plate on the front. I think this would improve the looks no end.

pthelazyjourno

1,848 posts

169 months

Wednesday 25th April 2018
quotequote all
That's fking hideous.

Good choice!!

Also never knew these existed. Can't imagine ever being depressed driving round in something with an interior that colour, 80stastic.

W00DY

Original Poster:

15,491 posts

226 months

Wednesday 25th April 2018
quotequote all
Prinny said:
If a new steering wheel is on the list as you say, please please please can it be a red one?

I am strangely drawn to this, though the more I look, the more I feel it needs a straight ‘plate on the front. I think this would improve the looks no end.
I think a red steering wheel would be too much. wink


Yeh, I did think about a standard front plate since the current one is cracked anyway. Might get rid of the bucktooth look!

I can see myself spending far too much money if I'm not careful. Already deliberating over a basket of over £100 on fordprobestore.co.uk and I was only after a fan belt.

55palfers

5,909 posts

164 months

Wednesday 25th April 2018
quotequote all
That interior. It's what I imagine life must be like in the womb.


Backtobasics

1,182 posts

183 months

Wednesday 25th April 2018
quotequote all
Sensational choice. Does the ride adjust do anything?