Ford Thunderbird (eighth generation)
Ford Thunderbird (eighth generation) | ||
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Curb weight 3,166–3,477 lb (1,436.1–1,577.1 kg)[1] | | |
Chronology | ||
Predecessor | Ford Thunderbird (seventh generation) | |
Successor | Ford Thunderbird (ninth generation) |
The eighth generation of the Ford Thunderbird is a personal luxury coupe that was manufactured and marketed by Ford from the 1980 to 1982 model years. Introduced to commemorate the 25th year of the Thunderbird, the eighth generation was substantially downsized, transitioning further into the mid-size segment. For a second generation, the Thunderbird remained the Ford counterpart of the Mercury Cougar XR7; while the Cougar again served as a complete line of mid-sized cars in various body styles starting with 1981 models, the Thunderbird was offered solely as a two-door personal luxury coupe.
While better-handling and more fuel-efficient than its Torino-based predecessor, the eighth-generation Thunderbird was poorly received by critics and buyers,[2][3][4] leading to a collapse in sales (combined 1980–1982 production outsold 1979 production by only 4,000 cars). In response, the 1983 ninth-generation Thunderbird received an extensive redesign of the exterior (though sharing nearly identical chassis underpinnings), as Ford sought to remarket the model line.
The eighth-generation Thunderbird was assembled by Ford at
Model background
During the late 1970s, fuel economy became a leading objective of the redesigns of American-brand automobiles; as part of the introduction of
Though reduced in size, the downsized Thunderbird saw increased competition, marketed against the
For 1980, Ford moved the Thunderbird to an extended-wheelbase variant of the Ford Fox platform. Moving from the intermediate segment to the mid-size segment, the 1980 Thunderbird closely matched the 1978 GM A-body coupes in its exterior footprint.
Design overview
In contrast to the previous generation (which served as a mid-cycle restyling and rebranding of the Ford Elite), the eighth-generation Thunderbird was the first version of the model line to integrate downsizing as part of its design process. The 1980 Thunderbird shed 17.3 inches in length, 4.4 inches in width, and 5.6 inches of wheelbase from its 1979 predecessor; (dependent on powertrain) the curb weight was reduced by up to 1,400 pounds.
Serving as one of the most extensively downsized model ranges of the American automobile industry, from 1976 to 1980, the Thunderbird shed over 25 inches of length, 12 inches of wheelbase, and nearly 1,900 pounds of curb weight. In comparison to the 1958–1960 generation, the 1980 Thunderbird is approximately five inches shorter in length and four inches shorter in wheelbase.
Chassis
The eighth-generation Ford Thunderbird is a long-wheelbase variant of the rear-wheel drive Ford Fox platform; stretched to 108.4 inches, it shares its chassis with the Mercury Cougar XR7 (1980–1982), the Lincoln Continental (1982–1987) and the Continental / Lincoln Mark VII (1984–1992). The adoption of the Fox architecture marked the return to unibody construction for the Thunderbird (not used since 1966).
Shared with the Fairmont and Mustang, the Thunderbird had MacPherson strut front suspension and a four-link live rear axle with coil springs on all four wheels; both front and rear axles were equipped with stabilizer bars.[6] As an option, the Thunderbird was offered with heavy-duty "handling" suspension, a limited-slip rear-axle, and aluminum wheels equipped with Michelin TRX tires.[4][7][8][9] For the first time, the Thunderbird was equipped with rack and pinion steering.[3] As with the Fairmont/Granada, the Thunderbird was equipped with front disc brakes and rear drum brakes.[6]
Powertrain
Sharing its powertrain with the Panther chassis, the standard engine for the eighth-generation Thunderbird was a 115 hp (86 kW) 4.2 L V8, with a 131 hp (98 kW) 5.0 L V8 offered as an option.[3][10] Both engines were paired with the 4-speed AOD overdrive automatic transmission.[10] For 1982, the 4.9 L engine was withdrawn, with the 4.2 L engine becoming the sole V8 offering.[11]
Late in the 1980 model year, the Thunderbird was offered with a six-cylinder engine for the first time.[4] Technically considered a delete option, Ford introduced an 88 hp (66 kW) 3.3 L inline-6 (shared with the Fairmont and Granada), paired with a 3-speed automatic; for 1982, the 3.3 L engine became standard. Slotted between the inline-6 and the 4.2 L V8, for 1982, Ford introduced a 3.8L V6, rated at 112 hp (84 kW).[11] In various forms, the V6 powered the Thunderbird until its 1997 withdrawal.
Body
The eighth-generation Thunderbird was produced solely as a two-door coupe, branded as the Ford counterpart of the Mercury Cougar XR7. In contrast to the Thunderbird, non-XR7 Cougars served as the Mercury counterpart of the Ford Granada (replacing the Mercury Monarch). With the exception of the grilles and rear fascia, the Thunderbird is nearly identical to the Cougar XR7 with the exception of its hidden headlamps (the Cougar used four exposed headlamps).
Hoping to repeat the success of the 1977–1979 generation, Ford designers adopted many design elements from the previous generation directly onto the body of the 1980 Thunderbird, including its hidden headlights, rectangular radiator grille, taillights (revised to wrap into the fenders) and opera windows. However, many design features did not transition well onto the far smaller bodyshell.[4]
From 1980 to 1982, the exterior of the model line saw few fundamental exterior changes. Dependent on trim, several rooflines were offered for the Thunderbird; a full or partial
As a consequence of its downsizing, the seating capacity of the 1980 Thunderbird was reduced from six to four.
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1980 Ford Thunderbird (base trim) with TRX wheels
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1980 Ford Thunderbird (base trim), rear
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1980 Thunderbird interior (base trim)
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1980 Ford Thunderbird Town Landau (aftermarket wheels)
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1982 Ford Thunderbird Town Landau
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1982 Ford Thunderbird Town Landau, rear
Trim
Each year of its production, the eighth-generation was offered in three trim levels; the Thunderbird served as the base trim, slotted below the Town Landau and Heritage (1981–1982).[2] For 1980, the commemorative Silver Anniversary Edition was the top-level trim, repackaged as the Heritage for 1981–1982.
Each trim level of the Thunderbird was distinguished by its own roofline. The standard Thunderbird was given the largest windows between the B-pillar; for 1981, a simulated convertible top became an option. For 1980, the Town Landau was styled with a recessed opera window, then sharing the roofline of the Heritage for 1981–1982. The Silver Anniversary Edition, Heritage, and 1981–1982 Town Landau have B-pillar opera windows in the style of the 1977–1979 Thunderbird (without the large rear quarter window).
Silver Anniversary Edition
To mark the 25th anniversary of the Thunderbird, Ford offered a commemorative "Silver Anniversary Edition" for the 1980 model year. Offered as a cosmetic option package as the top-level trim, the Silver Anniversary Edition consisted of an exclusive color scheme (Anniversary Glow Silver),[13] with silver/gray velour (or leather).[14] Offered only with the 4.9 L V8 and AOD transmission, the Silver Anniversary Edition included every feature offered on the Thunderbird, adding a "frenched" rear window, rosewood interior trim, commemorative badging, and an integrated garage door opener.[15]
Motorsport
For its
In response to the rule change, Ford debuted the eighth-generation Thunderbird (while also eligible, no drivers fielded a Mercury Cougar XR7).[16] The Thunderbird finished the 1981 season with 7 wins (second only to the 22 wins of the Buick Regal).[17] For 1982, the Thunderbird was less successful, winning only two races.[18]
Production totals
Year | Production[19] |
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1980 | 156,803 |
1981 | 86,693 |
1982 | 45,142 |
Total | 288,638 |
References
- ^ a b c d e "FORD Thunderbird 1980 - 1982". Retrieved 6 November 2014.
- ^ a b "Thunderbirds Through The Years | 1980 - 1982 ... The Boxy T-Birds". Retrieved 10 November 2014.
- ^ a b c "How the Ford Thunderbird Works | 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982 Ford Thunderbirds". 5 June 2007. Retrieved 10 November 2014.
- ^ a b c d "Ford Thunderbird History". Retrieved 10 November 2014.
- ^ Lorio, Joe; Alex; Stoklosa, er; Irwin, Austin (2020-01-16). "Best-Selling Car the Year You Graduated High School: 1978-Today". Car and Driver. Retrieved 2020-07-01.
- ^ a b Ristic-Petrovic, Dusan. "1981 Ford Thunderbird Brochure". www.oldcarbrochures.com. Retrieved 2018-11-14.
- ^ a b c "Directory Index: Ford_Thunderbird/1980_Ford_Thunderbird/1980_Ford_Thunderbird_Brochure". www.oldcarbrochures.com. Retrieved 2018-11-14.
- ^ a b c d Ristic-Petrovic, Dusan. "1981 Ford Thunderbird Brochure". www.oldcarbrochures.com. Retrieved 2018-11-14.
- ^ a b c d e "Directory Index: Ford_Thunderbird/1982_Ford_Thunderbird/1982_Thunderbird_Brochure". www.oldcarbrochures.com. Retrieved 2018-11-14.
- ^ a b Ristic-Petrovic, Dusan. "1980 Ford Thunderbird Brochure (Rev)". www.oldcarbrochures.com. Retrieved 2018-11-14.
- ^ a b "Directory Index: Ford_Thunderbird/1982_Ford_Thunderbird/1982_Thunderbird_Brochure". www.oldcarbrochures.com. Retrieved 2018-11-14.
- ^ "Directory Index: Ford_Thunderbird/1982_Ford_Thunderbird/1982_Thunderbird_Brochure". www.oldcarbrochures.com. Retrieved 2022-05-30.
- ^ "Directory Index: Ford_Thunderbird/1980_Ford_Thunderbird/1980_Ford_Thunderbird_Brochure". www.oldcarbrochures.com. Retrieved 2018-11-14.
- ^ "Directory Index: Ford_Thunderbird/1980_Ford_Thunderbird/1980_Ford_Thunderbird_Brochure". www.oldcarbrochures.com. Retrieved 2018-11-14.
- ^ "Directory Index: Ford_Thunderbird/1980_Ford_Thunderbird/1980_Ford_Thunderbird_Brochure". www.oldcarbrochures.com. Retrieved 2018-11-14.
- ^ a b c "Historical Motorsports Stories: The Saga of the 1981 NASCAR Downsizing - Racing-Reference.info". www.racing-reference.info. Retrieved 2018-11-18.
- ^ "1981 NASCAR Winston Cup". www.racing-reference.info. Retrieved 2018-11-18.
- ^ "1982 NASCAR Winston Cup". www.racing-reference.info. Retrieved 2018-11-18.
- ^ Tast, Alan H. and David Newhardt. THUNDERBIRD FIFTY YEARS. Motorbooks. October 15, 2004.