1998 SVT Ford Contour
The Project Car (SOLD)
Ford
The Forgotten SVT
I’m not surprised you’ve never heard of the SVT Ford Contour. It was only in production for three short years (1998-2000). During that time, Ford produced just under 11,500 of them. The car never sold well. It’s front-wheel drive. It was priced too close to its bigger brother, the Ford Taurus, and for a few thousand dollars more, you could go buy a BMW instead.
For me, it’s always been a bucket list car. I refer to this car as “a gift to my 17-year-old self”. I owned a 1998 Ford Contour LX, the base model when they were producing these cars. It was even the same color – Toreador Red. It wasn’t an SVT, but I loved that car, and my friends and I created enough crazy high school memories in it to make a feature-length film. I eventually traded it in but never lost interest in the SVTs.
Vehicle Specs
The SVT Contour was equipped with a 2.5L V6 engine, an enhanced version of the Duratec engine found in standard Contour models. This engine initially produced 195 horsepower, which was later increased to 200 horsepower. It offered a substantial performance boost over the regular models.
2.5 L, Duratec V6
I Waited 20 Years For This!
Today, I’m happy to say that I own one of these quirky little cars, and I’m excited to share the memories we will make.
This isn’t a quarter-mile car. Instead, it’s purpose-built for twisty roads. It has a highly rigid unibody and sophisticated independent suspension, making the SVT feel more European than American.
While not having a ton of horsepower, the SVT Contour loves a good twisty road. This car isn’t for the quarter-mile but sure does love to autocross.
Dave Acker
Contour Enthusiast Group, Contour.org
Automobile Magazine named the Contour one of its annual “All-Stars” for four years. Car and Driver judged the SVT Contour fifth out of six cars tested for its “best handling cars under $30,000” comparison.
Here are just some of the things that I enjoy about this car:
Limited Production. The SVT Contour was produced in limited quantities, making it relatively rare. Over its three-year production run, just under 11,500 units were produced.
Enthusiast Community. While not as well-known as some other SVT models like the Mustang Cobra or the F-150 Lightning, the SVT Contour has a cult following. Enthusiasts appreciate it for its sleeper status, understated appearance, and the surprise it offers with its performance capabilities. Despite its rarity, the SVT Contour has a dedicated enthusiast community.
European Influence. The Ford Contour was part of Ford's global CDW27 platform shared with the Ford Mondeo in Europe. The handling and driving dynamics of the SVT Contour were often compared to those of European sports sedans, a testament to Ford's intention to create a vehicle that could compete in terms of performance and driving enjoyment with European brands. This comparison was a significant achievement, considering the price point and market positioning of the SVT Contour.
Unique Styling. The SVT model featured unique styling cues to distinguish it from the regular Contour. This included special bodywork such as a unique front bumper, side skirts, a rear bumper, and a rear spoiler.
The Contour did things that electronically controlled cars did, but mechanically. As the suspension loads, the toe changes, making it a neutral handling car. It was such a sharp handling machine. You could push it pretty far.
Mark Rowe
Ford Special Vehicles Team, 2000–2006
Summary
The SVT Ford Contour stands as a unique chapter in Ford's performance vehicle history. Its blend of affordability, practicality, and performance, coupled with its rarity and the passionate community that surrounds it, ensures that it remains a memorable and appreciated model among automotive enthusiasts.
The Good
This is a fun slow car that you can buy cheap. It handles like it's on rails and has a satisfying exhaust tone. Coupled with its unique styling and supportive car community, this a car that you should drive at least once.
The Bad
These vehicles are rusting out quickly, with more and more of them going to the junk yard every day. Parts are becoming harder to find, and they're not the easiest vehicles to work on.
Be sure to check out the other vehicles in my garage
Do you want to know more about my fleet of vehicles – What mods have I done? What episodes of TSTDRVR are they in? Look no further.
