Vehicle Description
1981 Ford Thunderbird
The eighth generation of the Ford Thunderbird is a personal luxury
coupe that was manufactured and marketed by Ford for model years
1980 to 1982. To commemorate the 25th year of the Thunderbird, Ford
introduced an all-new body design. Since the 1977 model year, the
Thunderbird was marketed as the Ford counterpart of the Mercury
Cougar XR7; in contrast to the Cougar sedan and station wagon, the
Thunderbird was offered solely as a two-door personal luxury
coupe.
For consignment a consigner stated all original low mileage
(26,568) clean square and rectangle designed T-Bird. All in working
condition, with a padded landau top complete with opera window, and
bathed in Polar White, it had its numbers matching engine, and code
correct original interior. Design was changing, and this car was
marketed to a totally different market than the original consumer
group which took a tepid response. Not many around and certainly in
this low mileage original condition.
Exterior
Polar White bathes the straight design panels adorning the
exterior. The only curved line on this car are the wheel wells, and
that is out of necessity. and they are somewhat squared off. A red
padded opera window rear landau roof is on the rear passenger
section of this car. The top is very nice and has no cracks or
errors. Also, a red vinyl trim piece stretches from wheel well to
wheel well, terminating at the rear bumper. Body matching Polar
White bumpers are seen and these have a chrome trim strip running
through the upper part of them. On the bumpers we note some paint
chipping and the chrome is becoming de laminated and shows dulling
on these trim strips. Single hidden headlights flank a big chromed
grille with Thunderbird badging, egg crate insert, and Thunderbird
outline hood ornament. All squared off and a few faults, but
overall nicely preserved for this all original car. Standard spoked
with central large nut design wheel covers in chrome form are
wrapped by thin whites all around.
Interior
In the inside, maroon cloth buckets which bump up against each
other share a central armrest. Both have centrally mounted controls
within a vinyl molded panel. In back a large comfortable rear bench
with lots of piping and soft cloth and a central bump take up the
rear passenger space. Upfront for the clean dash is more square and
rectangle design for the instruments, which are bordered by wood
applique. The original plastic and wood inserted steering wheel
with cruise controls within its central spokes are within easy
drivers reach. A central vertical wood applique panel houses the
original radio, climate controls and a storage compartment. Up top
is a square clock with AC and heat vents on either side within the
wood applique. Red carpet is seen below and is clean, as is the
fuzzy red headliner, all clean and no tears or sags from above.
Door panels are nicely apportioned with red vinyl and lower carpet
panels as well as door and lock toggles and a stylized long vinyl
covered pull.
Drivetrain
A pop of the T Bird long hood, and we see the original factory
installed 302ci V8. This has a single 2-barrel carburetor on top
and an original 4-speed automatic AOD transmission on back.
Undercarriage
Showing some slight patina with age, black unibody construction
with clean and rust free floorpans can be noted throughout the
underside. Power disc brakes for the front and power drums for the
rear, and a fairly new exhaust system presents itself running to
the rear.
Drive-Ability
A smooth driver, decent handling, and good brakes. Acceleration was
not neck snapping, but cruising was well handled, and all interior
controls worked flawlessly, including the A/C.
A low mileage original survivor, with a few areas of wear and
normal use but nothing totally remarkable. All in all, a good used
1981 square and rectangle design, this car has some nice added
conveniences.
VIN DECODE
1FABP42F0BH157096
1FA-Ford USA Passenger Car
B-Manual Belts
P42-Thunderbird Town Landau
F-302ci V8 2bbl
0-Check Digit
B-1981
H-Lorain, OH Assy Plant
157096-Sequential Unit Number
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 600 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia
on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914.
Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the
vehicle in person.