Vehicle Description
1981 Ford Thunderbird Sedan
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 title verified original low mileage, (72,861),
clean square and rectangle designed very original Thunderbird.
Owned by our consignor for the last 14 years and in the same family
for all of its life, with a padded landau top complete with opera
window, and bathed in subded silver this car is one nice looker. It
has its original 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. There are not many around and certainly in this low
mileage original condition.
Exterior
What is believed to be the original application of Silver 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 silver 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 black vinyl
trim piece stretches from wheel well to wheel well, terminating at
the rear bumper. Body matching Silver 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
delaminated and shows dulling on these trim strips. Overall the
body remains solid with only a few small areas of surface rust and
light bubbling. Single hidden headlights flank a big chromed grille
with Thunderbird badging, egg crate insert, and LTD II hood
ornament. All squared off and a few faults, but overall nicely
preserved for this very original car. Standard turbine style design
wheel covers are wrapped by thin whites all around.
Interior
In the inside, gray tweed makes up the tuck and roll seating
surfaces of the front split bench which bumps up against acentral
armrest in smooth gray vinyl. In back a large comfortable rear
bench with lots of piping plush tweed 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
glossy black plastic. The original plastic and faux wood inserted
steering wheel with cruise controls within its central spokes are
within easy drivers reach. A central vertical black 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 gloss black plastic. Gray carpet is seen below and is clean, as
is the fuzzy gray headliner, all clean but with a few depressions
hangs from above. The door panels are nicely apportioned with gray
vinyl and lower carpet panels as well as window and lock toggles
and a stylized long vinyl covered pull.
Drivetrain
A pop of the long hood, and we see the original factory installed
255ci V8. This has a single 2-barrel carburetor on top and an
original 3-speed automatic C4 transmission on back. A Ford 7.5"
rear axle brings up the tail end and turns the tires with a 2.26
gear ratio. Our consignor notes that a new heater core was recently
installed.
Undercarriage
Showing some slight patina with age, black unibody construction
with clean and rust free floor pans can be noted throughout the
underside. New power disc brakes for the front and new power drums
for the rear, and a fairly new exhaust system presents itself
running to the rear. Keeping this skate surefooted is independent
coil spring suspension up front and a 4 link with coil springs in
the rear.
Drive-Ability
A smooth driver, decent handling, and good brakes even with a
slightlysoft pedal sum up this ride. Acceleration was not neck
snapping, but cruising was well handled, and all interior controls
worked flawlessly, including the A/C. While Classic Auto Mall
represents that these functions were working at the time of our
test drive, we cannot guarantee these functions will be working at
the time of your purchase.
A lower mileage original survivor, with a few areas of wear and
normal use but nothing totally remarkable. All in all, a good used
1980 square and rectangle design, this car has some nice added
conveniences.
0H87D129930
0-1980
H-Lorain, OH Assy Plant
87-Thunderbird 2 Door Sedan
D-255ci 2bbl V8
129930-Sequential Unit Number
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and
collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate
controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8
acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic
and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the
I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit
www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us
anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.
There is no guarantee of mileage. A $299 Dealer Administrative fee
is not included in the advertised price.
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