Not sure if this ever was posted here, so apologies if you have all seen this.
David
The Luxury Ponycar
1983-97 Thunderbird
If you ever wished your Fox-body Mustang had more legroom, plush leather, and dare we say, better handling, you might want an '83-97 Ford Thunderbird or Mercury Cougar. We've broadened this category to include the Fox-platform '83-88 cars, which are more affordable and offer an 8.8-inch solid-axle rear due to the fact that they shared platform architecture with the Fox-body Mustang. These early models are perfect for anyone who is a bit bored with Mustangs, but wants to apply nearly all of the parts that were developed for the Mustang. Lowering the car and applying a Turbo Coupe nose can create a car that looks hungry to eat up miles of road, while traditional 5.0L tricks can create a respectable performer.
The more adventurous will go for the later models, which had IRS ('89-97, MN12 chassis). The Super Coupe variant even included an intercooled, supercharged 3.8L V-6. This supercharged engine is old technology compared to Ford's EcoBoost engine, but it can easily propel a Super Coupe into the 12s and deliver very livable fuel economy. Most hot rodders will opt for the '91-93 models when the 5.0-liter was once again available, or the '94-98 versions with the two-valve 4.6L mod motor. Either can be built into a serious performance motors for a reasonable amount of money.
The real advantage of the 10th-generation Thunderbird is the chassis. With the IRS, a performance handling car is relatively easy to build. Also, unlike the Mustang of the same era, you can fit decent-sized tires under the 'Bird.
BY THE NUMBERS
Model years: '83-97 Ford Thunderbird or Mercury Cougar
Most desirable: '94-96 with 5.0L V-8
Engine you want: either the 5.0L or 4.6L V-8
Why you want it: All the good things about a Mustang
but with more room and luxury
Price range: $4,000-$6,000
Read more: http://www.popularhotrodding.com/features/1101phr_classsics_of_tomorrow/viewall.html#ixzz1tZpWbqnC
Not even a mention of turbocoupes or xr7's?
Nice to see some reconigtion.
:cheers:Nice!
I didn't read the article but if they can't even get the years correct the 5.0 was offered, I wouldn't expect much... Of course the 5.0 was avail in the Fox years but not '89 or '90 for the MN12... was then was avail '91-'93, the 4.6 picked up in '94 till the end in '97...
They are referring to the fact that 94-96 have a FAR better interior and generally better looking exterior, which makes them far more desirable. In 97 a lot of interior stuff became not standard so they left it off. They got the years right they just got a little confused on that list.
I think the 98 there was them getting little confused and including the Mark VIII's 98 year.
:p
Its funny, basically the article says everything about foxes that we've been saying for years...
;)
:DThey may have been confused, but the thoughts were nice.
Meh. Never saw a mn-12 I liked. But then again I'm not even really partial to the 87-88's. Everything was better in 86.
Mn12's seem to feel "cheaper" made than a fox chassis to me. Rocker panels rot away along with the rear shock brackets on some of the ones I have seen along with the over complicated front end that is costly to rebuild.
I vaguely remember owning a '95 LX with 4.6... Sold it four years ago, haven't missed it yet...
Hey man!
You know what they say about opinions.......:shakeass:
Well hopefully these cars do eventually start gaining in popularity. I'd love to see more built up and car shows and in magazines. If this happens, the aftermarket will eventually come around and start making resto parts like door moldings and interior parts! I can't wait for the day I can order brand new side moldings for my car!
Yeah, it would look better as an 86 ;)
Al joking aside, I don't like all of the luxury things that became standard in 87. I am 100% against power windows, locks, mirrors seats auto headlampsydimmers, plastick head lights, and the complexities added in 87 for body and wiring. In 86 they just got it right. The cars gained a minimum of 200 pounds in 87, and in my opinion became slightly less practical. Even the carpets were thicker in the 87's and some ls 86's.
When I think Thunderbird I think of a sporty personal luxury coupe. So having power windows, etc are a necessity for me on a car like this. Just personal preference. It does suck as the cars age all the power stuff starts dying (I have a dead door lock actuator and power seat motor now). But that just gives me something to tinker with.
I do like the 4 eye front end on the 83-86's but definately prefer the tail lights and rear end in general better on the 87-88's.
I don't think we'll ever see repop parts for our cars. Even if they get popular a lot of them have been crushed, unlike Mustangs. It will just drive up the price of the good ones that are left. Then again these cars will never be popular in the way that Mustangs and Camaros are.
There are companies out there that make repop parts for some "different" 50's-60's cars now. I think we will be surprised what a little nostalgia will do for these cars in the next 10-15 yrs. You have to remember that our fox's were very popular when new and I think eventually people will want to find one and restore it or use as a project vehicle as a way to replicate one they bought new or had when they were young.
I think it will happen. But maybe I'm just being a little too optimistic!? :p
77-79 T-birds were hugely popular but no one makes repop parts for them. It doesn't help that they were ugly and slow though.....
The article says 83-97. It's not just talking about MN-12s. It's talking about Foxes too. Nice to see our cars get a mention in a magazine that is devoted to performance.
Those are all things that I love about my TC! I really like the fact that my 24 year old car has better options than the majority of the cars that have been produced since then. :D
lol, good point. Things were very strange in the automotive world during the mid to late 70's.
Agreed...
If the HO 5.0 & 5 speed had been a option begnning '85(maybe std on the '87 '88 Sport), there would have been far more interest over the years and maybe aftermarket support... A aftermarket isn't going to suddenly come to life, if it were going to be, would have been in place by Y2K...
Had there been a HO 5.0 & 5-speed std in the Sport, '87 & '88 TC would be truly rare...
I slightly remember having a 96 cougar with a 4.6 2v. I dont really miss it. But with 96 4v and jmod transmission, I miss the hell outta it. That car either has installed or is waiting for installation, a ton of parts that are next to impossible to find now. If I can ever get that engine rebuild and get it out of Ohio... I think it'll be nearly half mercury half lincoln with hardly a s of stock left on it. I swear one of these days I'll resurrect her.
I "grew up" on the 4.6, from crown vic to mn12 and while they're not perfect, I'll argure they're the best 2 "cars" ford has built in my lifetime. Also the communities here in fox/mn12 land have been absolutely top notch. It was very nice of the magazine to say what they said, but really now, do you think ANYONE outside these communities could say anything more passionately or technically correct than us?
I think the point here is that anyone with a big wallet can restore a Camaro/Chevelle/Mustang etc. I thought my Torino was hard case for parts, but compared to the Fox Birds, the Torino was easy. Thunderbird/Cougar requires creativity, resourcefulness and patience. All of which are possessed in abundance by the members here. This is a community of like minded people more than a forum, and its nice that we are all here to support one another's successes and problems. These cars are not easy to bring back to life, but it feels less daunting with all of you here to help.
While the 4.6 is durable they are a SOB to mod for performance, shiznit I could do three or four complete 5.0 valve stem seal replacements in the time it takes to do the 4.6(yeah I been there done that and have the $70 tool I'll probably never use again)... I've owned five 4.6 2V, plus the 4V in the Marauder and luckily other than the valve stem seals never had a issue, but I still don't like 'em...
did you see the new bumpers I posted in the leads section?
I did, I did. :D Wish they had T/C covers though :mad:
I thought the 4 eye TC bumpers were the same as base?
Nope, they have cut outs for fog lights and are a little different on the very bottom otherwise, yes they will fit.
Yes I did...I was actually shocked anyone made new bumper covers. I wonder what the quality is like on those?
They're "guaranteed" to fit properly and they look right in the pic so for the price, ($85 shipped!) I think they're worth the gamble. I badly need a new front bumper so when I get some cash to spend on it, (could be years from now at this rate) I think I'm gonna try it.