1980 Ford Thunderbird GT review from North America
"An adequate car with the potential to be a truly great car!"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Engine replaced.
Transmission replaced.
Rear axle replaced.
General comments?
Let me first say that this car was not exactly a "young man's" car to begin with.
Even though it shared its basic framework ("Fox" platform) with the popular Ford Mustang of the same model year.
When I first aquired it this Thunderbird was equipped with one of the worst engines Ford had ever produced.
The 4.2liter (255 cubic inch) V8.
With all of 110 horsepower on tap, and 2.2 ration rear gears (yea, you read it right brother. 2.2) it was perhaps the slowest car I had ever driven.
The reason for the purchase was to replace my Mustang with a more "family oriented" vehicle.
When the 255 finally died I almost threw a party to celebrate.
Thus began the transformation from "grandpa's coupe" to "MonteCarlo SS killer"!
The list of "modifications":
5.0 h.o. V8 from a '84 Mustang GT
3.45 rear gears from a Mustang Cobra
H.D. C4 transmission from Cougar.
Carburetor from a 1966 Shelby-Mustang.
(715 cfm Holley)
K&N air filter element.
True dual exhausts with turbo mufflers.
Mettalic pads and shoes for the brakes all around.
15"x7" 1985 Mustang GT "10 hole" aluminum wheels with P235-60-15 BF-Goodrich raidial T/A tires.
New paint- Kenworth "Phantom grey metallic" Imron with clearcoat. (non-functional)
New silver vinyl roof. (non-functional).
Blood red pinstriping, and Mustang "5.0" fender badges. (kewl, but still non-functional).
When all was said and done this car had been totally transformed.
What a difference!
Why Ford never did this i'll never know.
From a 110 horsepower slug to a 240 horse power very capable personal coupe.
The car even sounded so good that I never bothered to turn on the radio for 2 weeks!
It sounded THAT good.
This was a car that while adaquate, never reached it's full potential from Ford.
I should have never sold it.
Recommended reviews
| 1983 - Thunderbird 1983 Ford O/D 302 V8 This is an excellent car for the modest muscle coupe enthusiast |
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| 1979 - Thunderbird 302 (modified) Fast, fun, tough and big |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Yes |
| Year of manufacture | 1980 |
| First year of ownership | 1985 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 1995 |
| Engine and transmission | 5.0 H.O. V8 Automatic |
| Performance marks | 9 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 6 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 10 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 3 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 60000 miles |
| Most recent distance | 125000 miles |
| Previous car | Ford Mustang |
| Date of Entry | 7th July, 2003 |