1988 Ford Telstar TX5 Ghia – Today’s Tempter

By: Alex Affat, Unique Cars magazine

Date: 21.08.2020

Cheap club car in surprisingly pristine condition: as near as new as you’ll likely find

Ford Australia’s original Telstar of 1982, based on the GC-generation Mazda 626, was replaced by the second-generation in October 1987.

Again sharing its platform with Mazda’s 626 of the time, the new Telstar sedan and TX5 hatchback were based on the also-new Mazda GD platform.

Besides the modern 80s aerodynamic body, major mechanical updates included fuel-injection across the range, and an improved automatic gearbox.

Unlike the preceding Telstar which was assembled locally out of complete knock-down kits, Ford decided to import all units as the Broadmeadows assembly line made way for the Falcon.

Australian engine options consisted of the basic 2.0lt four-cylinder found in the base GL, while the upmarket Ghia and flagship TX5 Turbo utilised a 2.2lt variant.

This 1988 Telstar comes in TX5 hatchback guise, and in upmarket Ghia trim with the injected 2.2lt.

And we hear you, a late-80s Telstar doesn’t exactly get the blood boiling, but this looks to be quite a remarkable example.

The car has covered just 96,591kms over its 32 years of life, and is claimed to be almost entirely original and always garaged. Exterior looks shockingly good, with great clarity in head and tail lamps and hardly any fading observed in those sensitive bumper plastics. The interior too looks as close to new as you’ll likely ever see in an AT Telstar again.

It’s club plate eligible around the country, and may suit someone after a cheap runabout.

The car comes with spare keys, owner’s book and workshop manual.

Based in Victoria, this Telstar survivor is listed for $4,400.

Check out the full listing here!

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