This 1989 Ford Festiva Shogun is often seen in the background of Jay Leno’s car videos, and has been featured before. Purchased new in 1989, Leno had to have one after he was shown the initial car…and for good reason: it was one of the most wicked things in production at the time. The Buick Grand National was dead, the Chevrolet Corvette wasn’t up to it’s full potential and unless you looked to the very expensive Italians or the Porsche 911, you weren’t going to do any better speed wise than…a Ford Festiva. It doesn’t seem right, does it?
How does a flared-fender Ford cracker box become unbelievably awesome? Easy: mid-engine swap. Specifically, Shoguns got the 220 horsepower 3.0L Yamaha V6 and MTX-IV five-speed manual transmission from the Ford Taurus SHO. In the big sedan, it was a sprightly performer. In an econobox with half of the weight, mounted mid-ship, the Festiva went from pathetic to psychotic in short order. The setup reminds you of a Renault R5 Turbo or a MG Metro 6R4, both Group B homologation rally cars that used a tiny, boxy body and a potent mill under the hood. For a short wheelbase, potent little rear-driver, the Shogun is actually pretty mellow…at least, until Leno hits a couple of buttons and starts feeding that V6 from the blue bottle in the back. That’s right…nitrous, baby!
What?
As a complete nut for all things Blue Oval I never heard of this one – they should have been sold in the UK and I have a sneaking suspicion that its a Fiesta in disguise. This would have swept the board in rallying and would have made one hell of a road car as well…..
It was an aftermarket company that only made a handful of them. They were pretty notorious over here at the time.
These were not Ford factory-built. There was an aftermarket company who did them. I’ve always wanted one myself. I have to “make do” with a Contour SVT, though.
Its S-H-O
Not “show” Jay…