They would share commonality again later from 1984–1998. In fact, for 1969 the Continental Mark III was launched as a two-door only personal luxury coupé, that was based directly on the four-door, 117 in (2.97 m) wheelbase Thunderbird chassis, and from that point until the end of 1976, Ford Thunderbirds and Continental Marks were related cars. The debut of the Ford Mustang in early 1964, and subsequent introduction of the larger, more upmarket Mercury Cougar, to compete with the similarly larger Dodge Charger – Chrysler's more upscale answer to Ford and G.M.'s pony cars – began to erode the Thunderbird sales and drove it to still get larger, with Ford even introducing four-door Thunderbird Landaus. The Thunderbird had fundamentally remained the same in concept through 1966, although the design had been revised twice. This fifth generation saw the second major change of direction for the Thunderbird. Well.The fifth generation Ford Thunderbird is a large personal luxury car series, produced by Ford for the 1967–1971 model years. People tell me all the time that I could never have gotten that car to go that fast. Don't listen the the idiotic Chevy freaks that think no Ford can go over 100. These cars can be made to move very fast without too much difficulty.
#Thunderbird car 1979 windows#
I could get mine up to 140 with 4 people in the car and the windows open without a problem. That means you have serious trouble under the hood that needs attention.
Under 100 is a very bad thing, especially for that car. This is important because I have found that VERY few mechanics are experienced in aligning the big old fisher bodies like the late 70's Thunderbirds. Not to mention a loss of power to the road.Īfter you do all of the suspension work, get it aligned by a VERY REPUTABLE shop. Otherwise the car will shake, shimmy, and wonder all over the place. It is very important that you have a tight front end and back end if you want to go fast. Get new front end parts and stick with the techiest bushings and joints (polyurethane). Then rebuild your front end (this is important). Make sure you have the rear sway bar still. New U-joints, bushings, springs, shocks, 4.11 gears (this is the best match) and a good differential that can take a lot of abuse. Get a FMX transmission from a '77 to '79 302 Thunderbird all of those have a split gear set in them. Then get your heads done at a shop, shaved and ported. Get a 390 stroker kit and overbore the cylinders. I would start by rebuilding a 302 for it, and make SURE the engine was cast in Mexico. Drive one for a while and you will see what I mean.Īfter 360k, this car is very sturdy and has NO rattles - a very well built compliment to the Ford Motor Company. I think that these cars are close to the perfection of styling, and well thought-out body design. I had to fight the state to get the title for it. I got this car for $500 at the bone yard I used to work for.
I love the thrill of driving such a big car, with such a long hood. The engine has been modified, obviously.Īlthough it doesn't look it, these cars are curiously aerodynamic.
#Thunderbird car 1979 manual#
I am rebuilding it now with a manual drag tranny and all Detroit rear end. The fastest I ever had it was, believe it, 168.7 MPH. Gas tank and engine were both OK still are. When I got the car it had bad brakes, tie rods and U-joints. The fuel pump and all the fuel lines froze one winter, and I had to replace all of that. I blew the alternator with a hefty stereo. I destroyed the rear differential (tore 1 1/2 inches into the rotary differential housing. I blew the tranny it came with which was a FMX 3 speed with split gear set. Currently I am rebuilding the many times rebuilt tank of a car I have dubbed 'Albatross'.
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