These are standard specifications for the 1979 Ford Thunderbird, not necessarily specifications for the vehicle(s) in the photo(s).
Transmission:
3 Automatic
Information provided by NHTSA
Data updated January 2023
Features
| Engine Location : | Front |
| Drive Type : | Rear Wheel |
| Production Years for Series : | 1977 - 1979 |
| Price : | $5,875-$10,686 |
| Weight : | 3890 lbs | 1764.474 kg |
Engine & Transmission
| V 8 | |
|---|---|
| Displacement : | 4942 cc | 301.6 cu in. | 4.9 L. |
| Power : | 130 BHP (95.68 KW) @ 3400 RPM |
| Torque : | 234 Ft-Lbs (317 NM) @ 1600 RPM |
| Bore : | 4.0 in | 102 mm. |
| Stroke : | 3.0 in | 76 mm. |
| Compression : | 8.40:1 |
| Valvetrain : | 16 OHV (2 valves per cylinder) |
| V 8 | |
|---|---|
| Displacement : | 5732 cc | 349.8 cu in. | 5.7 L. |
| Power : | 149 BHP (109.664 KW) @ 3800 RPM |
| Torque : | 257 Ft-Lbs (348 NM) @ 2200 RPM |
| Bore : | 4.0 in | 102 mm. |
| Stroke : | 3.5 in | 89 mm. |
| Compression : | 8.00:1 |
| Valvetrain : | 16 OHV (2 valves per cylinder) |
3 Automatic
Production Figures
| Total Ford Production for 1979 : | 1,835,937 |
| Total 1979 Thunderbird production : | 284,141 |
| 1979 Ford Thunderbird | |
Handling
Recall
| Component | FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | INTERCONTINENTAL AUTO PARTS |
| NHTSA Campaign ID | 08E019000 |
| Summary | INTERCONTINENTAL AUTO PARTS IS RECALLING 1,937 FUEL FILTERS, P/NOS ALG 44/1 AND PUROLATOR F10024, SHIPPED BETWEEN JANUARY 14 AND FEBRUARY 13, 2008, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE FILTER'S OUTLET CAP MAY NOT BE SECURELY CRIMPED TO THE HOUSING. THIS COULD RESULT IN A SEPARATION OF FILTER'S OUTLET CAP FROM THE HOUSING. |
| Consequence | IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, A NO START CONDITION MAY RESULT AND FUEL MAY BE PUMPED ONTO THE GROUND. IF THIS OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, THE ENGINE MAY STOP DUE TO INADEQUATE FUEL SUPPLY. IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WERE PRESENT, FUEL LEAKAGE MAY RESULT IN A FIRE. |
| Remedy | INTERCONTINENTAL WILL REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING MARCH 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT INTERCONTINENTAL AT 800-451-2593. |
| Notes | THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO INTERCONTINENTAL AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY.CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO SAFERCAR.GOV. |
| Component | SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | FORD MOTOR COMPANY |
| NHTSA Campaign ID | 79V013000 |
| Summary | THE INVOLVED VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH INCORRECT WELD NUTS THAT ATTACH THE REAR PORTION OF THE FRONT OUTBOARD SEAT TRACK TO THE FLOOR PAN. THE INCORRECT NUTS HAVE AN OVERSIZE DIAMETER AND THREAD, AND UPON FRONT SEAT TRACK ANCHOR BOLT INSTALLATION, THE THREADS MAY HAVE BEEN STRIPPED. |
| Remedy | THE DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPAIR ANY STRIPPED WELD NUTS AND INSTALL LARGER SIZE BOLTS TO ANCHOR THE SEAT TRACK TO THE FLOOR AT NO COST TO OWNER. |
| Notes | VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.SYSTEM: INTERIOR; FLOOR PAN ATTACHMENTS.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION, THE FRONT SEAT CANDISENGAGE FROM FLOOR MOUNTING CREATING THE POTENTIAL FOR SERIOUS PERSONALINJURY TO OCCUPANT. |
| Component | STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT SECTOR |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | FORD MOTOR COMPANY |
| Mfr Report Date | 19781101 |
| NHTSA Campaign ID | 78V269000 |
| Summary | THE STEERING GEARS ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED SECTOR SHAFTS FROM WHICH THE THREADED PORTIONS OF THE SHAFTS MAY FRACTURE AND SEPARATE. SHOULD THE SECTOR SHAFT FRACTURE, THE PITMAN ARM MAY DISENGAGE FROM THE SPLINED PORTION OF THE SECTOR SHAFT. |
| Remedy | THE DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY OR INSTALL A NEW SECTOR SHAFT IN THE STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY. |
| Notes | VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.SYSTEM: STEERING ASSEMBLY; GEARS.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: DISENGAGEMENT WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION COULD RESULTIN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, AND AN ACCIDENT. |
| Component | SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | FORD MOTOR COMPANY |
| Mfr Report Date | 19790201 |
| NHTSA Campaign ID | 79V117000 |
| Summary | THE INVOLVED VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH BRAKE PUSH-ROD TO BRAKE PEDAL RETAINING PINS WHICH WERE NOT HEAT-TREATED AS SPECIFIED. THIS COULD ALLOW THE BRAKE PEDAL TO BECOME DISENGAGED FROM THE PUSH-ROD. |
| Remedy | DEALER WILL REPLACE THE SUSPECT BRAKE RETAINING PIN. |
| Notes | VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.SYSTEM: SERVICE BRAKES; HYDRAULIC LINKAGE, PEDAL.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: DISENGAGEMENT OF THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD RESULT IN TOTALLOSS OF SERVICE BRAKES, WHICH COULD LEAD TO LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND ANACCIDENT.NOTE: THE PARKING BRAKE WILL REMAIN OPERATIONAL EVEN IF SERVICE BRAKES ARELOST. |
Data updated January 2023
1979 Averages
| Avg. Household Income : | $17,500 |
| Avg. Home : | $58,100 |
| Avg. Gallon of Gas : | $0.86 |
1979 Ford Thunderbird FAQs (show)
Popular frequently asked questions include:
What are the dimension and mechanical specifications of the 1979 Ford Thunderbird?
Q: What is the wheelbase size of the 1979 Ford Thunderbird? A: The 1979 Ford Thunderbird has a wheelbase size of 114.00 inches.Q: What is the length of the 1979 Ford Thunderbird? A: The 1979 Ford Thunderbird has a length of 217.20 inches.Q: What is the width of the 1979 Ford Thunderbird? A: The 1979 Ford Thunderbird has a width of 78.50 inches.Q: How much did the 1979 Ford Thunderbird cost when new?A: The 1979 Ford Thunderbird cost approximately $5,875 to $10,686 (USD) when new.Q: What were the bodystyles of the 1979 Ford Thunderbird? A: The 1979 Ford Thunderbird was offered as a HardTop Coupe, Heritage Edition Hard Top Coupe, Thunderbird Town Landau HardTop Coupe.Q: How many vehicles did Ford produce in 1979? A: Ford produced 1,835,937 automobiles in 1979.Q: How many 1979 Thunderbirds were produced? A: Ford produced 284,141 examples of the Thunderbird in 1979.Q: What engines did the 1979 Ford Thunderbird have? A: The 1979 Ford Thunderbird had the following engine options: V 8 (4942 cc | 301.6 cu in. | 4.9 L.) with 130 BHP (95.68 KW) @ 3400 RPM and 234 Ft-Lbs (317 NM) @ 1600 RPM V 8 (5732 cc | 349.8 cu in. | 5.7 L.) with 149 BHP (109.664 KW) @ 3800 RPM and 257 Ft-Lbs (348 NM) @ 2200 RPM Q: What transmission did the 1979 Ford Thunderbird have? A: The 1979 Ford Thunderbird had a 3 speed Automatic gearbox.