1991 Ford Thunderbird

Ford's entry into the 1990s began with a reported $17 million operation loss, but the company remained steadfast in its commitment to new product introductions and improvements. The all-new Escort was introduced in 1991 (launched in the spring of 1990) and the new 1992 Crown Victoria was also introduced in early-1991. The Thunderbird was in its second year of styling introduced in the fall of 1988, representing its tenth major redesign since its introduction in 1955 as a sporting personal car. Over the years that initial concept had morphed, transforming the model into a personal luxury car. With the latest '10th Gen' Thunderbird, that perception was about to change again and this time with a woman at the wheel. Lyn St. James had winning in her blood and in 1981 she secured Ford Motor Company as her main sponsor. In 1988 Ford decided to take the Thunderbird to Talladega International Speedway in Alabama, where she and her team set an amazing 21 National, International, and World records. She also set a National Woman's Speed Record clocked at 212.577 mph with a top speed of 232.400 mph, besting the old record by over 10 mph that she had set in 1985 in a Ford Mustang Probe. Her achievements were hailed when Sports Illustrated named her one of the Top 100 Female Athletes of the 20th Century, and she was invited to the White House to meet Presidents Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush, and Bill Clinton.

The car driven by St. James was a purpose-built race car by the Elliott Racing Team under the direction of Ford Motor Company Special Vehicle Operations in 1988. The lightweight 'Super Coupe' body shell rested atop a tubular frame with a full roll cage. Its specially prepared Ford V8 engine was built and tuned by Ernie Elliott for the record attempt. The interior had a racing seat and a five-point safety belt.

The '10th Gen' Thunderbird rested on a much longer 113-inch wheelbase than its predecessor and was 3.4-inches shorter and nearly an inch lower. The width had grown by 1.6-inches, offering greater interior space for its occupants. It gained an independent suspension in front and rear that improved handling and ride quality. It was comprised of short-and-long arms (SLA) with multiple links in the back and a spring strut setup in the front. The prior 14-inch tires were replaced by 15-inchers, and the Turbo Coupe was dropped. Trim levels included the 'base' and 'LX' with both being equipped with a 232 cubic-inch V6 backed by a four-speed automatic. The 'base' had analog gauges while the LX used digital instrumentation and speed-sensitive power steering. Standard equipment included power windows, dual remote mirrors, power steering, power brakes, an AM/FM stereo radio, a full-length console, reclining cloth bucket seats, and air-conditioning. The LX added several more features as standard including an illuminated entry system, power locks, power mirrors, cruise control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, remote gas door and decklid releases, and lighted visor mirrors.

The eight-cylinder option was no longer available, instead, performance enthusiasts had the option of the new Super Coupe powered by a supercharged and intercooled version of the V6 backed by a five-speed manual gearbox. The 'SC' wore distinct aero body flaring, fog lamps, 16-inch size tires, and dual exhausts, along with standard anti-lock disc brakes in front and rear. The Automatic Adjustable Suspension system allowed for a soft or firm ride depending on the selection of shock-absorber damping. The interior gained a soft-feel steering wheel, a folding rear armrest, power articulated front seats with inflatable lumbar bolsters, adjustable backrest winds, analog instrumentation with a tachometer and boost gauge, and power mirrors.

The automatic transmission was an AOD 4-speed unit while the 5-speed manual was a Mazda-derived M5R2 transmission. The base V6 engine had a cast-iron block and aluminum head, overhead valves, a 232 cubic-inch displacement, hydraulic valve lifters, four main bearings, a 9.0:1 compression ratio, port fuel injection, and delivered 140 horsepower at 3,800 RPM and 215 lb-ft of torque. The 232 CID Essex V6 with an Eaton supercharger had a lower compression ratio of 8.2:1 and developed 210 horsepower at 4,000 RPM and 315 lb-ft of torque. By its final year of 1995, the Super Cope delivered 230 horsepower.

In 1990, the rear-wheel-drive Thunderbird gained two new option packages - the Luxury Group and Power Equipment. Among the items included with the Luxury Group included an Autolamp system, Auto Day/Night mirror, cornering lamps, dual illuminated visor vanity mirrors, illuminated entry system, and vehicle maintenance monitor. The Cold Weather package added an engine block heater, heavy-duty battery and alternator, and rear window defroster.

1991 Ford Thunderbird
The 1991 Ford Thunderbird was offered as a two-door coupe with seating for five and priced at $15,320, an increase of approximately $240 over the previous year. The LX Coupe was priced $2415 higher than the 'base' with a list price of $17,735. The Super Coupe tipped the scale at $21,000.

The standard engine on the 'base' and LX continued to be the 3.8-liter V6 with 140 horsepower and 215 lb-ft of torque. The Super Coupe used the supercharged version developing 210 horsepower and 315 lb-ft o torque. An optional V8 on the 'base' and LX became available, with a displacement size of 302 cubic-inches (5.0 liters), Sequential Fuel Injection, hydraulic valve lifters, five main bearings, and producing 200 horsepower at 4,000 RPM and 275 lb-ft of torque. This engine was the base powering the LTD Crown Victoria.

The supercharged engine came standard with a five-speed manual transmission while the other engines came standard with a four-speed automatic with overdrive.

The 'base' Thunderbird had cloth seat inserts and the LX models had leather accents and new vinyl-and-cloth inserts in place of woodgrain trim panels. The interior of the SC included a new trim style with a Thunderbird emblem embroidered on the upper seatbacks.

The LX and SC models could now be ordered with a new electronic automatic temperature control system as optional equipment.

Ford built a total of 77,688 examples of the Thunderbird in 1991, a decrease from the 104,602 units produced a year earlier and the 107,996 examples built-in 1989. The 1991 Thunderbird total was higher than the 73,892 examples built-in 1992 but far less than the 129.712 built-in 1993.

A one-year-only Thunderbird Sport model was offered in 1992 and came equipped with a five-liter V8 and incorporated the Super Coupe front fascia with fog lamps, and color-coordinated lower bodyside stripes.

Styling, mechanical, and interior changes were added for 1993 and 1994, and among the more significant updates being the replacement of the 5.0-liter Windsor V8 for Ford's new Modular 4.6-liter OHC V8. Ford tuned the Super Coupe's supercharged V6 to deliver additional power and torque. The AOD automatic transmission was replaced by a new electronically controlled 4R70W 4-speed automatic.

1995 marked the 40th anniversary of the Thunderbird, yet Ford skipped the opportunity to celebrate and instead, discontinued the Super Coupe. Minor changes followed for 1996 and the final 10th Generation Thunderbird rolled off the assembly line in Lorain, Ohio on September 4, 1997.

Ford briefly retired the Thunderbird name, reviving it five years later with the introduction of the 'eleventh generation,' produced from 2002 to 2005.

by Daniel Vaughan | Mar 2021