Ford Thunderbird (eighth generation)
| Eighth generation Ford Thunderbird | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Ford |
| Production | 1979–1982 |
| Model years | 1980-1982 |
| Assembly |
Lorain, Ohio Chicago, Illinois Wixom, Michigan Hapeville, Georgia |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 2-door coupe |
| Platform | Ford Fox platform |
| Related |
Ford Fairmont Ford Mustang Mercury Capri Mercury Cougar Mercury Zephyr Ford Granada |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 200 cu in (3.3 L) Thriftpower Six I6 232 cu in (3.8 L) Essex V6 255 cu in (4.2 L) Windsor V8 302 cu in (4.9 L) Windsor V8 |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 108.4 in (2,750 mm) |
| Length | 200.4 in (5,090 mm) |
| Width | 74.1 in (1,880 mm) |
| Height | 53.0 in (1,350 mm) |
| Curb weight | 3,166–3,477 lb (1,436.1–1,577.1 kg) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Ford Thunderbird (seventh generation) |
| Successor | Ford Thunderbird (ninth generation) |
The eighth generation of the Ford Thunderbird is a personal luxury coupe built by Ford from the 1980 to the 1982 model years. In response to changing market conditions, the Thunderbird again underwent major downsizing. Again a counterpart of the Mercury Cougar, the Thunderbird now derived its underpinnings from the Fox platform, the basis of the Ford Fairmont; it also marked the return to unibody construction. For the first time since 1960, it was again a four-seat automobile.
The 1980-1982 Thunderbird serves as an example of one of the most radically downsized automobiles in the North American industry. In comparison to its 1979 predecessor, it would be 16 inches shorter and 900 pounds lighter; compared to the 1976 model of only four years prior, it had shed over two feet in length and up to 1800 pounds (a full third) of curb weight.
For the 1977 model year, in order to remain in compliance with increasingly stringent federal fuel economy standards (under CAFE, Ford Motor Company was required to average 20.0 MPG for all of its vehicles for 1980); significant changes were made to the Thunderbird from its traditional role as a companion model to the Lincoln Mark coupes to that as a competitor for the Chrysler Cordoba and various General Motors coupes ranging from the Pontiac Grand Prix to the Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme. As the replacement for the relatively obscure Elite, the first downsized Thunderbird was a sales success, selling over 950,000 vehicles. However, by 1979, the Torino-based Thunderbird was an obsolete model. During the 1978 and 1979 model years, General Motors had downsized all of its mid-size vehicles to nearly the same size of its "compact" sedans. Additionally in 1979, Ford introduced a downsized full-size LTD; while 8 inches shorter than the Thunderbird, it boasted larger interior room.
In response, Ford readied an all-new Thunderbird for 1980. In what would prove a disastrous move, many of the design elements from the 1977-1979 Thunderbird were carried almost directly onto the smaller car, including the grille and taillights; hidden headlamps were included. Several rooflines were available, with padded landau roofs to mimic the B-pillar of the 1977-1979 generation.
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