1997 ford thunderbird v8 for sale11/25/2023 ![]() ![]() This criticism came as a surprise to the program staff who expected to be praised for the Thunderbird and Cougars' technical achievements and positive reception. Poling, with Ford CEO Donald Petersen and Ford Executive Vice President Phil Benton looking on, harshly criticized the MN12 program's staff in a meeting for badly missing the Thunderbird and Cougars' weight and cost targets (250 lb (110 kg) heavier and US$900 more per car than planned). On January 17, 1989, then Ford President Harold A. In spite of the new Thunderbird's merits, it was considered a failure by Ford's top management. Among these were larger, 16 x 7.0 inch alloy wheels with high performance tires (standard Thunderbirds came with 15 x 6.0 inch steel wheels and 15 x 6.5 inch alloy wheels were optional), a Traction-Lok limited slip differential, standard anti-lock brakes, 4-wheel disc brakes (vented front and rear rotors), speed-sensitive variable assist steering, lower body side cladding, fog lights, and a stiffer suspension with adjustable shocks supplied by Tokico. Accompanying the more powerful engine, Super Coupes were equipped with a host of unique features underlining their higher performance demeanor relative to standard Thunderbirds. When running at a maximum of 5,600 rpm, the supercharger provided 12 psi of boost, with the engine rated at 210 horsepower (160 kW)/230 horsepower (170 kW) for 1994/1995 at 4,000 rpm and 315 lb⋅ft (427 N⋅m) of torque at 2,600 rpm under an 8.2:1 (8.6:/1995) compression ratio. The Thunderbird Super Coupe was Motor Trend's Car of the Year for 1989, which Ford proudly advertised. The Super Coupe could be had with a Mazda-derived, M5R2 5-speed manual transmission or an AOD 4-speed automatic transmission (or 4R70W for 1994/1995 models). The fuel efficiency rating was noticeably better than that of Thunderbirds equipped with higher performance engines and gave the base V6-equipped Thunderbird a significant driving range with its 19 gallon fuel tank (later decreased to 18 gallons).Ī more sophisticated, supercharged and intercooled version of the 3.8 L OHV V6 was used to power the high performance Thunderbird Super Coupe, also called Thunderbird SC for short. The EPA gave 1989 Thunderbirds equipped with the standard V6 a fuel efficiency rating of 19 mpg ‑US (12 L/100 km 23 mpg ‑imp) in city driving and 27 mpg ‑US (8.7 L/100 km 32 mpg ‑imp) on the highway, though, like most cars built before 2008, this rating was retroactively reduced by the EPA to reflect newer, more realistic fuel efficiency measurements. Due in part to its low coefficient of drag, the Thunderbird was relatively fuel efficient considering its overall size and weight. This engine was mated to Ford's AOD 4-speed automatic transmission regardless of trim level from the 1989 to 1993 model years. ![]() Rated at 140 horsepower (100 kW) at 3,800 rpm and 215 lb⋅ft (292 N⋅m) of torque at 2,400 rpm, however many felt the V6 engine was somewhat underpowered for a car that weighed over 3,500 pounds (1,600 kg) in base trim (heavier when equipped with available options). The base and LX models were powered by Ford's 3.8 L Essex OHV V6. Engine options fell to only two for 1989 as Ford dropped the V8 option for the new Thunderbird which would return later for the 1991 model year. This setup was significant as it made the Thunderbird, the Lincoln Mark VIII, and the Cougar the only rear-wheel drive North American domestic cars other than the Chevrolet Corvette to offer a four-wheel independent suspension at the time. The car featured four-wheel independent suspension, with short-and-long arms (SLA) and a spring strut assembly in the front and multiple links in the rear, that offered excellent handling and ride quality. Model year changes and design Rear view (Thunderbird LX) For this generation only, the Ford Blue Oval emblem was used on the trunklid. With the exception of the 1955 model, the Thunderbird traditionally used no "FORD" exterior badging of any kind. Developed on Ford's new MN12 (Mid-Size North American Project 12) platform from the second quarter of 1984 (production approved in mid-1985), the new Thunderbird featured a more aerodynamic body that was slightly shorter in overall length relative to the 1988 Thunderbird but had a nine-inch-longer wheelbase. It was introduced on Decemas a 1989 model alongside its sister car, the Mercury Cougar. The tenth generation of the Ford Thunderbird is a personal luxury car that was produced by Ford for the 1989 to 1997 model years. ![]()
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