Why the Ford Contour Still Has a Cult Following

The Ford Contour was one of the company’s most unusual performance vehicles. With both American and European DNA, how did this underappreciated car become a classic?
Written by Elaine Duvet
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
Closeup of Ford logo on the front of a car.
In the ‘90s,
Ford
introduced a small, sporty sedan. Despite its minimal horsepower, the Ford Contour impressed enthusiasts with its powerful performance and exotic flair. 
With a tight European road feel and superior handling, why didn’t this sophisticated roadster resonate with an American audience?

A global vehicle with American and European DNA

In 1995, the Ford Contour SVT sedan made its debut. The European-inspired car was available as the base GL, the luxurious LX, and the SE Sport. 
The auto shared the same basic platform as Ford’s European race car, the Mondeo. The vehicle fit between the compact Escort and the midsize Taurus. Though differently styled, the Ford Contour was known for its sharp handling and European underpinnings.
In 1998, Ford’s Special Vehicles Team was given the go-ahead to unleash its creative genius. According to
Driving Line
, “The Contour SVT got a thorough rework, beginning under the hood where SVT hot-rodded the optional 2.5L Duratec V6 to make 195 hp and 165-pound feet of torque while mated to a five-speed manual transmission.” The mechanics were so advanced, the car handled similar to an electronically controlled vehicle.
The team added larger brakes from Europe, retuned the suspension, and incorporated wider wheels. The all-speed traction control system was another impressive technology. Additionally, “SVT gave the softly rounded Contour a bolder but tasteful styling treatment with unique front and rear fascias, a mesh grille, body-color side skirts, and larger fog lights,” according to
Hagerty
.
The interior got a facelift as well, with bolstered leather seats a la a European sport sedan. It was no BMW 3-Series, but it was budget-friendly and exceeded many current U.S. sedans at the time. The engine had a smooth, sweet sound and it would only cost you $25,000.
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The upkeep may not be worth it

The unique car performed well on twisty roads, but when it came to working on one in the shop, it was a bit of a pain. The engine bay was pretty crammed with all its components. Hello, busted knuckles.
Speaking of small spaces, the cabin was very cozy. It didn’t have much more room than the less expensive
Ford Escort
. Guess that’s why they call it a starter car.
For under five grand, it may seem tempting to buy a Contour of your own. However, even skilled DIYers and extreme enthusiasts proceed with caution. Changing the alternator? Don’t even think about it. Maintenance and repair are challenging and taking it to the shop could put a huge dent in your wallet. 
Many Contours you can purchase these days are either wrecked or need a lot of TLC. But SVT parts are near impossible to find. Got in a fender bender? Good luck trying to locate body parts.

The Ford Contour was an ‘All Star’ sedan

MORE: 4 Popular American Cars That Didn't Do Well In Europe
Automotive media couldn’t get enough of the SVT magic. Hagerty notes that “Automobile Magazine named Contour one of its annual ‘All Stars; for four years in a row, and Car and Driver put the compact Ford on its ‘10 Best’ list in 1995, 1996 and 1997.”
Unfortunately, the Ford Contour didn’t resonate with the American market. Though still affordable, many felt the car was too small for their needs. Less than 11,500 units were sold and the car was only manufactured until 2000. 
At the end of the day, the fact that it was European wasn’t enough to sway mainstream shoppers.
But that wasn’t the last we’d see of it. “The Mondeo once again made its way to American shores in the form of the 2013-2020 Fusion which was built using Ford’s global platform and is nearly identical to its European counterpart,” reports Driving Line. Maybe we’ll see one of these bad boys sooner than we think at our next local auto show.
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