Thunderbird to return?

[Nikked]

The latest internet rumour buzz is the return of the Thunderbird.

Carscoops

*a report from*Ford Authority*is claiming citing unnamed company sources who told them the Blue Oval is considering a revival of the Thunderbird as a “somewhat indirect” competitor to the*Chevrolet Corvette.

Be pleasantly surprised if they did.

Ford have never seriously competed with the Corvette. The original Thunderbird was their only direct attempt, and that only lasted for one generation before they changed direction and made the Thunderbird as a high end luxury coupe, rather than a sports car.

GT40 was a different league, as were the subsequent GT's.

Outside of a few engine deals/support (Cobra and Pantera), Ford didn't have a direct competitor since that first gen Thunderbird...

Not too mention...could it sabotage Mustang sales?

[CyberWasp]

They can't do any worse than the last one they made in 2005.

[Bossxr8]

Yet it won't be mid-engined, so how is it a Corvette competitor in any way?

It would compete with a Corvette GM stopped making 5 or so years ago.

Thunderbird was never a sports car anyway, even the first gens weren't anything more than a luxury coupe.

In saying all that, it would be cool to see them revive the Thunderbird. Might give a bit of credence to the 4 door Mustang rumours from a year or 2 ago. Makes more sense to base it on a stretched S650 platform. Or maybe the CD6 platform the Explorer uses.

[Vesper Martini]

Originally Posted by CyberWasp

They can't do any worse than the last one they made in 2005.

image

Thunderbirds of the late 70s 80s & 90s where it stopped production weren't exactly oil paintings..

I like that they tried to bring it back to it Roots in 2005, but yeah that was a fail.

[Polyal]

That seems like a complete was of time, if they made some super high tech EV coupe then perhaps that would make more sense?

Just use the dollars on the mustang or start saving for another GT.

[vbomber]

Originally Posted by Polyal

That seems like a complete was of time, if they made some super high tech EV coupe then perhaps that would make more sense?

Just use the dollars on the mustang or start saving for another GT.

I was expecting to be a new EV maybe something to compete with the tesla roadster (if that ever comes out)

[XR Martin]

Originally Posted by Vesper Martini

Thunderbirds of the late 70s 80s & 90s where it stopped production weren't exactly oil paintings..

I like that they tried to bring it back to it Roots in 2005, but yeah that was a fail.

90s Tbirds were cool. Love to have one.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by XR Martin

90s Tbirds were cool. Love to have one.

image

That looks mad, wasn't even aware there was a 1990s one, I thought they were just those horrible looking 1960s cars and then they disappeared.

[Tonz]

Thunderbirds are go.

oh wait wrong birds.

[roKWiz]

Originally Posted by tonz

thunderbirds are go.

Oh wait wrong birds.

f a b.

[roKWiz]

Originally Posted by XR Martin

90s Tbirds were cool. Love to have one.

image

You can see a little BMW coupe mixed with some Mustang and Probe of the same era. I don't mind it either.

[jpd80]

Inside word is that Thunderbird name was being considered for the midsized EV SUV instead of using Explorer/Aviator names most likely a way of differentiating from ICE Explorer/Aviator built in the Chicago plant.

I wonder if that’s scrapped now that Ford has seen how much interest there is in BEVs and how big those plans have now become…

[Nikked]

Originally Posted by Vesper Martini

Thunderbirds of the late 70s 80s & 90s where it stopped production weren't exactly oil paintings..

I like that they tried to bring it back to it Roots in 2005, but yeah that was a fail.

I have a soft spot for the 80/90's ones cause they made nice looking NASCARS...

But it 100% is a model that Ford lost its way with, just became lost amongst the LTD and Lincoln coupes...was even a 4 door a one stage.

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by XR Martin

90s Tbirds were cool. Love to have one.

image

The great sadness for me is that the MN12 Thunderbird and our own EA126 Falcon/Fairlane
platform should have been merged to improve scales of economy.

I’m wondering if you could use some EB Falcon parts to do a RHD conversion,
probably slightly different widths but the front suspension is remarkably similar…

[Tonz]

Looking at the above photos, Ive been scratching the noggin thinking 'hang on, T Birds were the dream car, the one we went to dreamland with'. what the hell are those ugly ducks? so mr google was asked the question.



thats what I was thinking of, if one of those had my name on it, i could live forever, but then I look at the previous pics and think how the hell did they loose the plot, then this one pops up, hell no wonder Ford were in trouble a few years back.

[jpd80]

Thunderbird really fell away when the Mustang arrived, people started going away from the larger coupe and it evolved into another Meh 2-door/4-door car.

[roKWiz]

[chevypower]

Originally Posted by CyberWasp

They can't do any worse than the last one they made in 2005.

image

I disagree. I’ve seen a few around lately in great condition, and I think they hold up well today. Mechanically a disappointment, though not terribly. The Jag engine was interesting, though the 4.6 DOHC probably wouldn’t have fit, and I have no experience with the Jag engine, except some Land Rover variants.

[chevypower]

Originally Posted by XR Martin

90s Tbirds were cool. Love to have one.

image

I have one! Picked it up for $1500 with no mechanical issues. It’s nice to drive. Velour seats, RWD, and IRS. Feels a bit like a 2 door EF Fairmont - or at least the that’s the closest thing I can link it to. Back seats are more useful and spacious than the Mustang.

[gassed250]

Originally Posted by XR Martin

90s Tbirds were cool. Love to have one.

Id love a super coupe but for now im happy to have the engine from one

[GT 0909]

Originally Posted by jpd80

The great sadness for me is that the MN12 Thunderbird and our own EA126 Falcon/Fairlane
platform should have been merged to improve scales of economy.

I’m wondering if you could use some EB Falcon parts to do a RHD conversion,
probably slightly different widths but the front suspension is remarkably similar…

The 90's Thunderbird was based on a stretched Fox-platform, so is basically a stretched Mustang of the era, with just new clothes on the outside. You can use Mustang performance parts for all engine, drivetrain and suspension mods.

The front suspension on the Fox platform is nowhere even close to the E-series Falcons. These Mustangs/Thunderbirds used a hybrid Macpherson strut design (spring and shock strut are not mounted concentrically) along with a single lower wishbone, whereas the Falcons use a SLAS design (Short Long Arm Suspension) similar to Mercedes Benz design of the day and has both an upper and lower wishbone. I have owned an '89 Mustang for many years and believe me, I have researched what Falcon parts I can utilise - basically engine parts only as everything else is totally different.

[XR Martin]

Originally Posted by GT 0909

The 90's Thunderbird was based on a stretched Fox-platform, so is basically a stretched Mustang of the era, with just new clothes on the outside. You can use Mustang performance parts for all engine, drivetrain and suspension mods.

The front suspension on the Fox platform is nowhere even close to the E-series Falcons. These Mustangs/Thunderbirds used a hybrid Macpherson strut design (spring and shock strut are not mounted concentrically) along with a single lower wishbone, whereas the Falcons use a SLAS design (Short Long Arm Suspension) similar to Mercedes Benz design of the day and has both an upper and lower wishbone. I have owned an '89 Mustang for many years and believe me, I have researched what Falcon parts I can utilise - basically engine parts only as everything else is totally different.

Sorry you are incorrect.
10th gen thunderbird ('89 to '97) used a complete different platform to the Mustang. Front suspension does look similar to an e-series. Also had IRS.
Earlier 8th and 9th generations used the Fox platform.

[Vesper Martini]

Originally Posted by XR Martin

90s Tbirds were cool. Love to have one.

image

Actually that's not too bad, did the last ones have the supercharged V8? and IRS

[XR Martin]

Supercharged V6

[Vesper Martini]

Originally Posted by XR Martin

Supercharged V6

no V8?

[XR Martin]

Also had 302w and 4.6 sohc

[Vesper Martini]

Originally Posted by XR Martin

Also had 302w and 4.6 sohc

I'm Guessing the 4.6 v6 made more power?

[gassed250]

Originally Posted by Vesper Martini

Actually that's not too bad, did the last ones have the supercharged V8? and IRS

They had a 3.8 V6 with an m90 supercharger, the were very similar to the GM 3.8

[chevypower]

Originally Posted by Vesper Martini

I'm Guessing the 4.6 v6 made more power?

About 205hp / 152kw. Not great, but sounds good doing it. Plus it’s a light weight car, so it’s not too bad. Definitely a robust engine. I would love to put a 7.3 in it.

[Sprintey]

Originally Posted by XR Martin

90s Tbirds were cool. Love to have one.

image

Wow, if an ED Sprint went posh...