Body style: Convertible (spider/spyder, cabrio/cabriolet, drop/open/soft top)
Segment: Coupe
Production years: 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988
Ford built the ninth generation of the Thunderbird on the same Fox-body platform used for the Mercury Cougar, Ford LTD or Lincoln Continental.
Ever since the beginning of the Thunderbird, Ford worried about overlapping it with the Mustang, and while the pony-car received more powerful engines, the T-Bird got more features making it a personal luxury coupe. Unfortunately, since it didn't want to compete against the Mustang, Ford made the Thunderbird too slow and, despite its sleek design, it didn't make it into the top sales charts.
The exterior was way more improved than its predecessor. Its cab-rearward design with a long hood and a short trunk made it look very dynamic. Thanks to its raked windshield and sloped rear windscreen, it was quite attractive. At the front, the big horizontal headlights improved the car's look. Ford designers installed color-body wrapped-around bumpers both front and rear, with a rubber strip on them. From its sides, the small windows behind the doors brought more light inside the cabin.
Inside, the front bucket seats were designed for comfort. Since it was a personal-luxury vehicle, Ford installed wood-trims on the dash panel, doors and center console. On the center stack, the Thunderbird sported an auto-reverse stereo-cassette player placed lower than the air-conditioning control unit.
Under the hood, the best engine choice was a 2.3-liter turbocharged-four that provided more power than the 3.8-liter V-6 or the 5.0-liter V-8 engines. While the V-units were paired as standard to a sluggish 3-speed automatic transmission, the turbocharged unit was mated to a 5-speed manual.
ENGINE SPECS - 2.3L 5MT (190 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 2301 cm3 |
Power: | 139.7 KW @ - RPM 190 HP @ - RPM 187 BHP @ - RPM |
Fuel System: | Carburetor |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 26.4 gallons (99.9 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 146 mph (235 km/h) |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Rear Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-Speed manual |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 198.7 in (5047 mm) |
Width: | 72.7 in (1847 mm) |
Height: | 52.7 in (1339 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 113 in (2870 mm) |
ENGINE SPECS - 3.8 (142 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | V6 |
Displacement: | 3797 cm3 |
Power: | 104 KW @ 3800 RPM 142 HP @ 3800 RPM 139 BHP @ 3800 RPM |
Torque: | 215 lb-ft @ 2400 RPM 292 Nm @ 2400 RPM |
Fuel System: | Carburetor |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 115 mph (185 km/h) |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Rear Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | Automatic, 4 Speed |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Drums |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 198.7 in (5047 mm) |
Width: | 72.7 in (1847 mm) |
Height: | 52.7 in (1339 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 113 in (2870 mm) |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 3541 lbs (1606 kg) |
ENGINE SPECS - 3.8 (213 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 3797 cm3 |
Power: | 157 KW @ 4000 RPM 213 HP @ 4000 RPM 211 BHP @ 4000 RPM |
Torque: | 315 lb-ft @ 2600 RPM 427 Nm @ 2600 RPM |
Fuel System: | Carburetor |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 140 mph (225 km/h) |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Rear Wheel Drive |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 198.7 in (5047 mm) |
Width: | 72.7 in (1847 mm) |
Height: | 52.7 in (1339 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 113 in (2870 mm) |