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Body style: Convertible (spider/spyder, cabrio/cabriolet, drop/open/soft top)
Segment: Coupe
Production years: 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997

FORD Thunderbird 1989-1997 11 Photos
FORD Thunderbird (1989-1997)FORD Thunderbird (1989-1997)FORD Thunderbird (1989-1997)FORD Thunderbird (1989-1997)FORD Thunderbird (1989-1997)FORD Thunderbird (1989-1997)FORD Thunderbird (1989-1997)FORD Thunderbird (1989-1997)FORD Thunderbird (1989-1997)FORD Thunderbird (1989-1997)FORD Thunderbird (1989-1997)

Designed to compete against the finest luxury German coupes on the market, the 1989 Ford Thunderbird was an underrated vehicle.

After the car was born, there were huge controversies in the Ford Motor Company, which led to the retirement of Anthony Kuchta, the man behind the project. The car exceeded its target price and its weight. All of a sudden, the T-Bird was the black sheep of the family who didn't get the much-needed lunch-money (advertising), and it didn't get the sales it deserved.

Just by looking at it, it was considered a good competitor for the BMW 6-series. It was a true, 4-seat coupe. On the hood, it featured the Thunderbird badge and a pair of slim, horizontal headlights. A grille on the lower side of the bumper plus two air-intakes right under the hood kept the engine cool. Unusual for those times, its rear wheels were placed behind the C-pillar and made the car look more advanced than its competitors.

Perhaps it was the interior that spoiled the car. The high, adjustable bolsters on the sport seats didn't look that good. At least, the center stack was right, with a logical layout for the stereo and the air-conditioning unit. In the back, there was room enough for two adult passengers. But the bland design was under the exterior's look.

Ford offered the Thunderbird with a choice of V6 and V8 engines. The V6 supercharged, also known as the SC, was one of the best from its series. It was available with a 5-speed manual from Mazda and could keep-up with the most important German sport luxury coupes. Unlike most of its American competitors, it featured an independent rear suspension, which added comfort for the big vehicle.

FORD Thunderbird 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997
  4 gasoline engines
  • 3.8L V6 4AT RWD (142 HP)
  • 3.8L V6 4AT RWD (147 HP)
  • 3.8L V6 4AT RWD (233 HP)
  • 4.6L V6 4AT RWD (208 HP)

FORD Thunderbird
3.8L V6 4AT RWD (142 HP)

ENGINE SPECS - 3.8L V6 4AT RWD (142 HP)
Cylinders:V6
Displacement:3797 cm3
Power:104 KW @ 3800 RPM
141 HP @ 3800 RPM
139 BHP @ 3800 RPM
Torque:215 lb-ft @ 2400 RPM
292 Nm @ 2400 RPM
Fuel System:Carburetor
Fuel:Gasoline
Fuel capacity:26.4 gallons (99.9 L)
TRANSMISSION SPECS
Drive Type:Rear Wheel Drive
Gearbox:4-Speed automatic
BRAKES SPECS
Front:Ventilated Discs
Rear:Drums
DIMENSIONS
Length:200.3 in (5088 mm)
Width:72.7 in (1847 mm)
Height:52.5 in (1334 mm)
Front/rear Track:61.6/60.2 in (1,565/1,529 mm)
Wheelbase:113 in (2870 mm)
WEIGHT SPECS
Unladen Weight:3549 lbs (1610 kg)

FORD Thunderbird
3.8L V6 4AT RWD (147 HP)

ENGINE SPECS - 3.8L V6 4AT RWD (147 HP)
Cylinders:V6
Displacement:3797 cm3
Power:108 KW @ 4000 RPM
147 HP @ 4000 RPM
145 BHP @ 4000 RPM
Torque:210 lb-ft @ 2400 RPM
285 Nm @ 2400 RPM
Fuel System:Carburetor
Fuel:Gasoline
Fuel capacity:26.4 gallons (99.9 L)
TRANSMISSION SPECS
Drive Type:Rear Wheel Drive
Gearbox:4-Speed automatic
BRAKES SPECS
Front:Ventilated Discs
Rear:Drums
DIMENSIONS
Length:200.3 in (5088 mm)
Width:72.7 in (1847 mm)
Height:52.5 in (1334 mm)
Front/rear Track:61.6/60.2 in (1,565/1,529 mm)
Wheelbase:113 in (2870 mm)
WEIGHT SPECS
Unladen Weight:3536 lbs (1604 kg)

FORD Thunderbird
3.8L V6 4AT RWD (233 HP)

ENGINE SPECS - 3.8L V6 4AT RWD (233 HP)
Cylinders:V6
Displacement:3797 cm3
Power:172 KW @ 4400 RPM
234 HP @ 4400 RPM
231 BHP @ 4400 RPM
Torque:330 lb-ft @ 2500 RPM
447 Nm @ 2500 RPM
Fuel System:Carburetor
Fuel:Gasoline
Fuel capacity:26.4 gallons (99.9 L)
TRANSMISSION SPECS
Drive Type:Rear Wheel Drive
Gearbox:4-Speed automatic
BRAKES SPECS
Front:Ventilated Discs
Rear:Ventilated Discs
DIMENSIONS
Length:200.3 in (5088 mm)
Width:72.7 in (1847 mm)
Height:52.5 in (1334 mm)
Front/rear Track:61.6/60.2 in (1,565/1,529 mm)
Wheelbase:113 in (2870 mm)
WEIGHT SPECS
Unladen Weight:3536 lbs (1604 kg)

FORD Thunderbird
4.6L V6 4AT RWD (208 HP)

ENGINE SPECS - 4.6L V6 4AT RWD (208 HP)
Cylinders:V8
Displacement:4601 cm3
Power:153 KW @ 4500 RPM
208 HP @ 4500 RPM
205 BHP @ 4500 RPM
Torque:280 lb-ft @ 3000 RPM
380 Nm @ 3000 RPM
Fuel System:Carburetor
Fuel:Gasoline
Fuel capacity:19 gallons (71.9 L)
PERFORMANCE SPECS
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph):8.6 s
TRANSMISSION SPECS
Drive Type:Rear Wheel Drive
Gearbox:4-speed automatic
BRAKES SPECS
Front:Ventilated Discs
Rear:Ventilated Discs
TIRES SPECS
Tire Size:225/50 R16
DIMENSIONS
Length:200.3 in (5088 mm)
Width:72.7 in (1847 mm)
Height:52.5 in (1334 mm)
Front/rear Track:61.6/60.2 in (1,565/1,529 mm)
Wheelbase:113 in (2870 mm)
WEIGHT SPECS
Unladen Weight:3719 lbs (1687 kg)
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC)
City:12.4 mpg US (19 L/100Km)
Highway:21.4 mpg US (11 L/100Km)
Combined:17.4 mpg US (13.5 L/100Km)
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