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1983 - 1988 Ford Thunderbird The History, All the Models, & Features
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- čas přidán 24. 03. 2023
- Ford’s bold design, production, and release of the Thunderbird that was completely different from any other car on the road. Its introduction dealt a death sentence to all the square bodied car that preceded it and it became the car from which all the aerodynamic cars that followed can draw their ancestry. This includes not only Fords but every major auto manufacturer.
The ninth-generation Ford Thunderbird was produced in Atlanta Assembly and Lorain Assembly (in Hapeville, Georgia, and Lorain, Ohio, respectively).
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Thanks for watching and a HUGE thank you to my subscribers. It's nice when someone appreciates your work!
When Ford made cars. The 80s was a resurgence of American made cars. This car looked good compared to the crappy crossovers made today.
I absolutely love the 83-86 Thunderbird. One of the most beautiful cars to come out of Ford design studios. I thought that the 79-82 was one of the ugliest cars that they had built.
Couldn't agree more! Thanks for watching!
Agreed. Successor in Ford and Lincoln also not as good
1980-82.
Proud 88 Turbo Coupe owner ! 🙌👹
They are awesome cars! Thanks for watching!
87 TurboCoupe owner here!
Had one, wish I still did. 1988.
I had one also, it was a great car. they should have kept it
The T-bird, cougar and Mark 7 were all great cars!
Those T-Birds were great looking cars, so were the Cougar version in my opinion. The power came on smooth and strong.
100% The Cougars were slept on!
Also don't forget get the XR4Ti😎🤜🤛
These Thunderbirds set the standards for what Fords new vision with Quality is #1 in the 80s. These cars, Tauruses, Tempos, Probes, Aerostars, Rangers, Explorers ect. All great vehicles Ford made!
Too bad Ford lost the formula. Too many poor CEOs ran Ford after that. Some of them, even the current guy, claims to be a car guy but that is crap. Like their current vehicles.
I was reading a car mag in early 83. I saw a two page spread showing a red Tbird. I told my wife we were getting one. We had an 81 Mustang Cobra. The cobra was a cute little car, but no guts. We ordered the Heritage in silver/black, with a 302. I just recently passed it to a nephew. He drives it every day and draws a lot of attention. I had gotten a crate motor from ford and installed a 5 speed. My wife is still pissed at me for that. Still a great looking car, 40 years later.
Thanks for watching and sharing!
1987-1988 Thunderbird Turbo Coupes are the greatest Fords ever created on this planet called Earth.
I had an 84 Cougar. Basically the same car just squared off in back. Pretty good car
I had an 86 Cougar.
Very nostalgic video for me. My first car was a 1988 Ford Thunderbird LX 5.0. I still remember how comfortable the seats were in that car. The digital dash was also awesome, but sometimes slow in the cold. I do wish I still had that car!
Thank you sir!
Bill Elliot's Coors sponsored 1987 Thunderbird is probably my favorite street based race car ever, and looks fast standing still. I would love to buy one and Coyote swap it.
Thanks for watching!
Elliott holds the race lap for Talledega in one at almost 213 mph average. That's the average. This means he was screaming into Turn 3, likely at 225-230 mph.
I bought an 87 5.0 in 99 with 190000 miles on it. I could put a glass of water on the intake when it was running and it barely made a ripple.
Was really a good car! I've only drove trucks since then. But interested in getting another now!
Fortunately the market for these cars hasn't gone crazy and some decent buys can still be had. Best of luck and thanks for watching!
@@TonysFordsandMustangs I better get on it now. 3 years ago I bought a 95 bronco for $3000. Now that truck goes for $8-$10,000 in that condition. I bought it right before Ford bombarded us with ads for the new bronco. One of the best investments I've made recently
@@joemama1151 Yes sir the mid 90's trucks and Broncos have really gone up in value and most of the Fox Mustangs are as well.
Only auto centerfold I ever hung was of the 83' T'bird. First new car I ever bought was an 86' Cougar.
That's awesome thanks for sharing!
I still have mine in a frame. One of my Mystic Cobra and my 73 sportroof, also a 1973 Z-1 Kawasaki.
Owned a '86 Thunderbird Elan v-6. No options. I loved that car! QUIET! But not really quick. Everything work perfectly. No issues whatso ever. It was a nice driver.
Thanks for sharing!
These Thunderbirds Rank as Some of My Family's Favorites Cars that We've Owned. My Mom had a Silver Blue over Gloss Black 84 Elan, with Light Blue Velour Cloth Interior, a 5.0 V-8, and the TRX Wheels & Suspension. Such a Beautiful Car. I owned an 84 5.0 V-8 Fila Edition, Pastel Charcoal over Dark Charcoal, with the White Leather Seats in a Charcoal Grey Interior. Mom traded Her 84 Elan for an 87 Silver Blue Turbo Coupe, with Raven Black & Charcoal Grey Leather interior, and an Automatic, but the car was an Anomaly. It had the Engine Tuned for the 5-Speed Manual. It had supporting documentation that came with the car that Ford had Performance Tested it before Shipping it for Sale. The Result however ended up with Ford having to Rebuild the Transmission 3 times under Warranty, in the 5 Years Mom owned it. I also owned an 87 Turbo Coupe a few years later. Mine was Raven Black, with Crimson Red Leather interior, and a 5-Speed Manual Transmission. That car is still the Most Fun to Drive Car I Ever Owned. Mom eventually traded Her 87 Turbo Coupe for a 90 Silver Blue, with Medium Blue Leather (Sensing a Pattern Here?) Lincoln Mark VII LSC. Several Years later I bought a White with Medium Blue Leather 92 Lincoln Mark VII LSC. IT was Dad that traded Mom's Silver Blue Mark VII for a Triple Black, 92 Mark VII LSC/SE, which She Still Owns today.
Thanks for sharing! Your family has great taste in cars!
The 'face-lift' given the 1987-'88 models foreshadowed the coming '89-'97 all-new models, and made for an easy transition to those from these.
My mom got an 88 Mercury Cougar that had a 5.0 engine. Essentially Mercury version of the T Bird. What a sleeper, wire wheels and white walls but that car could roll with the 5.0 motor. My buddy and I took it to FL from PA to see the 1991 pepsi 400 at Daytona 4th of July Weekend. We drove it on Daytona beach....😊 Those T Birds and Mercury's were wonderful cars!
My mom had an 87 T-bird Sport with the 5.0 liter. I remember it being an awesome interstate car. Nice comfortable ride and plenty of power. Thanks for watching!
I had an '83 Heritage model. Loved that car
Thanks for watching!
Me too. Kept it for 39 years. Just gave it to a nephew. My wife and i saw him in town a week ago and she almost cried. She loved that car more than any other. It's in good hands.
83 Heritage 5.0 was my first car. Took me years to find another in good condition, but it's sitting in my garage right now. Absolutely love it!
The Aerobird is my favorite Thunderbird. Its smooth aerodynamic design and limited chrome trim make it look sporty and contemporary. 1987 is my favorite year. The Turbo Coupe's exterior, interior, and performance are awesome.
Sales numbers between the 1977-1979 and 1983-1988 Thunderbirds show them the be the best-selling generations.
Couldn't agree more! I'm on the hunt for one now. Thanks for watching!
Bill won his first race in '83 at Riverside CA driving a Box bird.
I love the '87-'88 Turbo Coupes, with the 5 speed are fun cars. Used 'em as daily drivers for probably five years. In the mid/later '90s were obscenely cheap at the auctions(people afraid of turbo failure, out of approx 15, one failure). Also common for fuel pumps to be weak, so they'd fall on their face at more than approx half boost. Still I'm a die hard V8 guy so I searched out one with minimal options & automatic(no hole in roof, climate control etc), transplanted a Trick Flow headed 5.0, used AOD from a Super Coupe.. At full weight & all orig systems operating, It would run 13.3s all day long, best 13.11. With a little help(75Hp) from Papa Smurf in the trunk, 12.23@ 112. The drag radials I was using could not hold a "big" shot(yeah I tried). With slicks, acquaintance at track ran 11.6 in a similarly built '88 LX. He was my inspiration, told him I was going to swap a 5.0 in to my Turbo Coupe. Yeah I got the sideways un-huh look, surprised him when I showed up with it at track.
Thanks for sharing Tom!
I had an '88 Turbo Coupe. It was Black with black and grey leather interior, dual power seats, premium sound, and the 5 speed. I absolutely loved that car and miss it every day! I have tried like hell to find one like it and I never can.
Thanks for watching and I hope you can find one someday. Fortunately they are still somewhat affordable even for nice examples. Best of luck with your search!
Hi. Dale Jarrett won the first three nascar races the year the slippery bird debuted. Nascar made the Fords run as taller rear spoiler to slow them down. I found a nice red one at the salvage yard. Clean no rust. Engine locked up. Changed engine, and later found a starter Bendix gear jammed between the flywheel and the engine block. The engine itself was fine. I loved that car.
Thanks for watching and sharing!
A great overview! I owned an '86 Midnight Wine/Taupe Thunderbird elan V-8, loaded. It was a great car, very comfortable and reliable.
I still like these cars.
Me Too! Thanks for watching!
A friend of my parents had the 5.0 when I was a kid and a guy I went to high school with had a v8 as well and would "neutral slam" it on a regular basis and it just kept going. Was amazing and that's what started my love for the 5.0, at 8 years old, albeit more for the Mustang but I always appreciated these T birds.....I love the old commercials you add and also shows the interest rate at the time which sucks even more than now😂
Mac Thanks for watching & I didn't show the special offer of 9.9 % financing. :)
@@TonysFordsandMustangs Lol
The production quality and research are obvious. Another great video!
Much appreciated!
Absolutely love this generation of Thunderbird. I would gladly daily a well cared for turbo coupe.
I trying to do that with a SVO Mustang now. Thanks for watching!
Good choice for a highlight video. But I still gotta say, Ford's move towards aero styling and design were a product of the Probe concepts and actually were first brought to market on the euro market Ford Sierra in 1982. That aero styling then was implemented on NA and other world product cars after, including the Thunderbird and Tempo in 1983. They all got Ford Probe 3 design features like flush headlights, small- or no-grille header panels, molded bumper covers, etc. Still a very excellent video. Keep up the good work and I'll keep watching.
Thanks you and will do!
It took me awhile to appreciate that body style when it first came out, but now I really like the look...💯💓
A big step forward for American Auto styling.
Very much so! Set the styling for the next 15 years or so.
I had an '87 Turbo Coupe. Loved that car. Amazingly for a Fox chassis, I got 60,000 miles out of the original tires. The alignment must have been set just right at the factory.
Very cool! Thanks for watching!
I remember seeing my first 1984 T-bird on display in a shopping mall, in Phoenix, Az..... was a little unsure of it, but did trade in my '82 Mustang for an Turbo '84 T-bird! With the 5-speed tranny..I loved that car! Unfortunately, I was t-boned in the side by a car that ran a stop light! End of the T-bird!
Sorry for the loss on that one Paul.
Have one in the driveway. 87 turbo;)
First car to break 200 in the wind tunnel and NASCAR;)
Check out the rear shock setup;)
Thanks for watching!
In 1984, I re-enlisted in the Navy. An 84, 5.0, AOD was my purchase! 205k and 12 years later it was totaled when some kid went left of center.
Thanks for sharing and I am sorry to hear that happened to your car.
@@TonysFordsandMustangs Thanks. Me too. I’d probably still driving it today!
As a kid it was hard not to notice every turbo coupe you saw and thought they were pretty cool. But that’s what you did in the back seat, look out the window and notice everything and every different car you saw. Unlike today, my kids usually have a screen in front of them lol.
Very true! Thanks for watching!
Great timing. I’ve been considering one of these as a future project.
Thanks for watching & I am thinking the same thing once I make the trip across country in the Maverick and pass it along to the next owner.
87’ - 88’ BEAUTIFUL
Agreed!
I bought a 1986 T.B. new, two-tone paint popular at the time (Burgandy and Toupe). It had the 302 and four speed automatic. Keep it for almost 30yrs. always garaged, when I sold it had over 160K miles. I never had a problem with the drive train. This was best car I ever owned and looked great! thanks for this walk down memory highway for me!
Thank you for watching and for sharing your story!
I'd love to have an 87-88 for a project car.
I owned a black '83 Turbo Coupe, a white '86 Turbo Coupe and a bronze '87 Turbo Coupe. All were great cars but the '87 was off the charts! Fast, beautiful and durable. I put over 225K on that 'Bird and it was still running great when some guy rear-ended me!
In 98 I bought a 86 T- coupe with a bad motor for 500.00. I swapped in a nice 325 hp 351w and a c-4 auto trans. It fit perfectly with shorty headers and a custom length driveshaft. That car was my daily driver for 12 years.
Owned a 85 Turbo Coupe, black dark gray interior with a 5 speed.. Loved that car!
Thanks for posting this. The first car that I had ever bought new was an ‘83 heritage v8, Metallic red w clear coat. I loved that car. I also had an ‘87 turbo automatic for a while. They were both great cars for the time.
Thank you for watching! It is appreciated!
My mom owned an 87 turbo coupe. She sold in 89 and got an SC. Both were bad ass vehicles 👍👍
Sounds like she had good taste in cars! Thanks for watching!
I had 2 thunderbird's from that generation. An 85 with the 5 liter and a 88 turbo coupe. I loved my old turbo coupe. I wish I still had it today. Great video, sir. It's a nice trip down memory lane.
Thanks you for the link words and for watching! It's appreciated!
I really love those 83-86 T-birds! Great job on presenting all this information. I love seeing the old Ford ads too! Have a great one! 💯👊
Thanks you and I'm glad you enjoyed it!
I remember when the 1987 Thunderbird came out I said to myself that those headlights are huge.
Love the T-birds great editing, super well done 👏
Thanks so much! 😊
it was exciting when it was new . . . it was a bright spot in the 80s to me . . . especially the turbo coupe. the only second would be the OG Cougar XR7 - 80s version looked real nice in person I recall. I saw them on the dealer lots - sort of a candy apple red with larger gold rims . . .
Great video. When you touched on Elliot’s high speed lap I remembered the 212mph before you said it LOL. I do remember those turbo coupes well. Sharp looking cars. Had a grocery manager I worked for with an 85 TC. Thought it was a great looking car. Great video Sir. Brings back some memories…especially Awesome Bill from Dawsonville…
Thanks you and I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Nice job Tony 🤘
Thanks 👍and thanks for watching!
It was the best looking T-Bird I've ever seen. The Centerline drag looking rims made that car. Never saw another one like it, but they were factory. They were just like the one's at the strip in early 80s, but had quarter size holes between the rivets and the lugs that went around the entire face of the rim, just like the rivets.
Love all of your history vids. How about doing something on the Super Coupe.
Another great video ! Keep them coming Tony . 😎👍
Thanks, will do Roy!
Bought a 1987 T-bird off showroom floor ; 302 V8 , on cruise control at 66-67 MPH back in the dsy it would get 29 miles-per-gallon in the Midwest flatland .Loved that car , drove it 10 years
If it was Sport I know the model well. It was a very nice riding and reliable car. Thanks for watching!
Hey Tony, I definitely am glad I found this channel. This video and your other videos are very informative and engaging. I'll be sharing this channel with friends
I'm glad you found it as well Jordan. Thank you for watching and sharing!
Fantastic video, Tony! Thanks for posting. 👍
Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for watching!
My first car, was an 84 T-Bird I bought for 1200 bucks in 97. After that I owned an 88 and a 90. I loved them all. Been trying to find an 84-86 model to rebuild. Sad they went out of production but at least for didn't make a version like the econobox cougars that were around for a while lol.
This shape also dominated NASCAR . Remember when they all had the same shape , it was based on the thunderbird
Thanks for watching!
The 1977-1979 Thunderbirds will always be my favorite.
Have a 83 with a 351 in it now great car
Got my 83 Heritage 5.0 in the garage. Love the car!
Very awesome ride!
Those were the final great days of NASCAR, before restrictor plates, and when stock cars were still loosely stock. You couldn't take the name of a four door, front-wheel-drive, 6 cylinder car, take the roof and rear window, and then turn it into a V8, rear wheel drive two door car and race it as a "stock car." In the 80's makers, mechanics, and drivers were pushing the limits to beat the competition, and going 212 mph was the result. I remember watching Bill Elliot suffer a mechanical problem, run back out on the track after losing a lap, then lapping the entire field without a yellow flag, and come home to win the race. That can't happen today.
Thanks for watching and sharing. Actually a LOT of people would agree with you. NASCAR has been losing audience share since the early 2000's and some of the moves NASCAR has made to try correct things have made it worse. I stopped watching when the Thunderbird went away in the late 90's. Spec cars Meh, the Chase and segmented racing is something I don't know nor do I want to understand, finally the super teams winning everything had me looking for something else to watch. That said I will watch a road course race every now and again. I find them to be much more competitive and exciting when compared any of the ovals.
that mustang!!! 🖤🤍 but yes, this thunderbird was very handsome
I built the Monogram 1/24 87 T Bird Turbo Coupe a year and a half back...
I had a silver one 1988. I loved it automatic.
I had an 86 T-Bird with the V6 I actually loved the car although I would have preferred the V8. It did not resemble previous Birds but it was a decent looking car and I liked it. Later I did buy a 94 with the V8 it was an awesome car and at the time was one of the few rear wheel drive V8s available.
I want to see a tour of your Ford collection.
It's on display on my channel. Thanks for your interest!
Still a good-looking car.
agreed
Far better looking car than its successor...
Loved my fox Tbirds and Cougars.
Nice cars for sure!
I test drove a 86 Turbo Coupe. It was a pretty quick car for the time.
In 2004 I bought an 84 T-Bird 302 w/40k miles for $550 and drove it off the lot. It had minor quirks but I loved that car. It's the make/model I'm searching for again. If I had any idea...
I do see these for sale often. Thank you for watching and best of luck with your search!
Oh... and BTW, Interesting Fact, that Bright Red 88 Turbo Coupe that's the Banner for this Video, is actually a Rare, Limited Edition, 88 Turbo Coupe/Mach-1. In 1988 Ford Needed to Use the Legendary, Mustang's Mach-1 Name to prevent Loosing the Copyright to use it. Since the Turbo Coupe was Ford's Halo Performance Model they decided to Use the Mach-1 Moniker on Specially Painted, Bright Red (Non Metallic), or Platinum Silver (A New Color to be Introduced on the All New 89 Thunderbirds) These Colors were Not Available on Any Other 88 Thunderbirds. The Cars also featured Black Mach-1 Decals that were shipped with the Cars for Dealers to install on the Front Fenders, behind the wheels, and also on the Decklid. My Mom actually had a Red Mach-1 Turbo Coupe briefly, but She sold it to a Kid down the Street, who still Owns it today.
Thanks for sharing!
Wish I could post my picture I saw at TBird today in the comments. That’s why I looked for a video like this. Man wish I had one looks so cool on the insid e
There are always a few out there for sale in the marketplace and while the really nice ones do bring a premium, the driver quality cars are still relatively affordable. Thanks for watching!
My first car was a 1988 Ford Thunderbird with the 5.0 engine with a full equalizer everything was power
First drove a turbo coupe which blew the doors off my bosses 350 Chevy Caprice V8 as I shifted through the manual transmission squealing the tires.
Thanks for sharing!
Thank you
Thank you for watching!
The Fila edition also came with a Fila towel and Fila headband as well.
I did not know that, thanks for sharing!
Thats when cars were a love affair and not some jelly bean
I think I still have the sales brochure and a lot of the the stuff from the dealer in my magazines have to check
my Ex had the one at 5:35 (87 model, in Red color though) wasn't that bad of a car. had a JBL sound system too. she kept it till 89, then traded it for a 89 Turbo TA. anyway, friend of hers had the same car and was having all kinds of electrical issues, but ours never had any problems. and it was a Ford of all things! lolz first and only Ford we ever had though ☮
My 2nd car was 87 thunder bird turbo coupe = and my mother was a very classy woman in the 80s and she ordered 88 mercury cougar with black carriage top and spoked rim hubcaps = and it was beautiful = she had that car till end of life =OH WITH V8 of course= CAYMEN RED METALLIC ❤
Awesome thanks for sharing!
first place winner bracket racing stock v6 - 1985 blue - dont ask how but it won at 18;34 quarter mile -
That's awesome!
Love the turbo coupe. Would enjoy a comparison to the Super Coupe
You and me both! Finding one of these cars to drive let alone both might be difficult. I did similar video on the SuperCoupe. You can find it here: czcams.com/video/8W_tC4Yqu5Q/video.html
I really miss my turbo coupe
Good vid
I own a base 85 thunderbird (for sale)
Thanks for watching!
The 1982 Ford Sierra was the first Ford with 1980s, wind tunnel developed, aero-styling.
In Europe yes but in the states it was this car.
@@TonysFordsandMustangs Yes, but I meant that that the Sierra preceded the 1983 Thunderbird, if only by 1 year.
@@HemiChrysler I understand. Ford of Europe did their own development. The Escort was to be a "World Car" and yet what came to Europe and what was released in America were two very different cars. (I think the European car was way better) The T-bird was the first Aero car to gain wide spread acceptance in the US market and paved the way for all that followed it. I have to look at the U.S. market as 95 % of my viewers reside there.
It was a more appealing replacement for squares and rectangles on wheels
Absolutely!
The 86 looks better than the 87 because it used the old style 4 headlight setup. A friend had one with factory Centerline or American Racing rims with the rivets and small holes. Drag racing rims. I can't find a pic of one anywhere.
My boss originally bought me an 84 turbo coupe and I kept it for about a year and then I saw the the 87 model of the car of the year so when I move to a different state my boss I needed a newer company car and my boss and I went down and they had a silver 88 turbo coupe with a manual that thing was loaded and he paid for it with a credit card I couldn't believe it but I ended up turning the boost up on it and I got a lot more power right I think I don't even when I went up like 6 psi it made a big difference because it was easier with the ratios on the the 5-speed manual because a lot of times if you downshifted you be at the red line so with having more boost I didn't have to downshift all the time
I remember having a 1988 cougar LX it was like a mustang in a tuxedo it was fully optioned plus the 5.0 litre v8 I regret selling it had about 50k miles at the time
They were nice cars. Thanks for watching!
If I remember right the 87 and 88 turbo coupes 5 speeds came with dual exhausts and automatics were single.
I think both were but not really as they became dual exhaust after the cat convertor. The auto was detuned a bit because the transmission couldn't handle it.
@@TonysFordsandMustangs maybe it was just 1987 for the single with automatics. They may have all been duals in 88. I agree, the duals were just outlets.
@@billnorris3305 That's possible I would have to look it up
I have an 84 Bird with 15,000 miles. 5.0 loaded.
That's awesome! Thanks for watching!
We had one 1989 in Texas al paso lx coup
Did the 85 thunderbird turbo coupe have an obd port?
No and that didn't become a thing for Ford until 1994 and commonplace in 96. The ECU Ford used in 85 the EEC-4 had only between 32 and 64 kilobytes of memory.
Davey Allison - 1987 Rookie of the Year - Ford Thunderbird - Robert Yates Horsepower.
Davey was one of my favorites from that era. Thanks for watching!
It was black with red pinstripe and red interior.
❤
Definitely aftermarket sourced.
Thanks for sharing!