Ford Thunderbird (ninth generation)
| Ninth generation Ford Thunderbird | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Ford |
| Production | 1982–1988 |
| Model years | 1983-1988 |
| Assembly |
Lorain, Ohio Wixom, Michigan Hapeville, Georgia |
| Designer | Jack Telnack (1980) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 2-door coupe |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Platform | Ford Fox platform |
| Related |
Mercury Cougar Lincoln Continental Mark VII |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 2.3 L Lima I4 (turbo) 3.8 L Essex V6 5.0 L Windsor V8 |
| Transmission | 3-speed C3 automatic 4-speed A4LD automatic 4-speed C5 automatic 4-speed AOD automatic Borg-Warner 5-speed T-5 manual |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 104.2 in (2,647 mm) |
| Length |
|
| Width | 71.1 in (1,806 mm) |
| Height |
|
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Ford Thunderbird (eighth generation) |
| Successor | Ford Thunderbird (tenth generation) |
The ninth generation of the Ford Thunderbird is a personal luxury coupe built by Ford for the 1983 to the 1988 model years. While nominally shorter and lighter than its predecessor, the radical change sought from the previous model was not in overall size but in exterior styling and handling. As opposed to the traditional straight-edged styling carried from the 1970s, the 1983 Thunderbird was an aerodynamic design (drag coefficient of 0.35) that would serve as a preview for vehicles such as the Ford Mustang SVO, Ford Tempo, Ford Aerostar, and Ford Taurus.
Although bearing little resemblance to the 1980-1982 Thunderbird, this generation also was derived from the Ford Fox platform and shared the Mercury Cougar as its counterpart. In 1984, the Thunderbird and Cougar were joined by the Lincoln Continental Mark VII, which was produced until 1992.
Following the introduction of the 1980 Thunderbird, sales of the nameplate sharply decreased in comparison to its 1977-1979 predecessor, despite it being a more fuel-efficient vehicle. As the 1970s turned into the 1980s, personal luxury cars gradually became more sporting in image, with vehicles as the BMW 6-Series and Mercedes-Benz SL increasing in popularity. In 1980, Ford President Donald Petersen asked Ford Vice President of Design Jack Telnack of the 1980 Thunderbird: "is this what you would want in your driveway?". The negative response by Telnack prompted the company to request the Thunderbird be restyled completely.
A Lincoln proposal was designed in the Lincoln Mercury Studio which Mr. Peterson liked. Dave Royer was assigned the task of putting a design similar to that on the Thunderbird package. He and Master Modeler Sam Borg put the clay model together in a very short period of time. Caldwell approved it and Royer then developed it further in the wind tunnel. Many members of design management thought it was a mistake. One high level design management person referred to it as a "Burnt Tennis Shoe."
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Wikipedia