1996 Ford Thunderbird

The Thunderbird received its tenth major styling revision in 1989 and was introduced on December 26th of 1988 alongside the similar Mercury Cougar. It was developed on Ford's MN12 (Mid-Size North American Project 12) platform and its wheelbase grew by nine inches, now measuring 113-inches. The suspension was now fully independent with short-and-long arms (SLA) with multiple links at the rear and a spring strut setup in the front.

The standard engine was a 3.8-liter overhead valve V6 offering 140 horsepower or a supercharged and intercooled version rated at 210 horsepower. The naturally aspirated version was backed by an AOD 4-speed automatic transmission while the supercharged version in the 'Super Coupe' used an M5R2 5-speed manual. This made the 1989 Thunderbird the first in the car's history not to be offered with a V8 engine. The V8 returned for the 1991 model year.

By 1996, the Thunderbird Coupe was offered solely with LX trim and was offered with either the V6 or V8. The Thunderbird with the V6 was priced at $17,485 and the V8 listed for $18,615. The overhead-valve V6 displaced 232 cubic inches and had a cast-iron block, aluminum head, 9.0:1 compression ratio, hydraulic valve lifters, five main bearings, sequential fuel injection, and delivered 145 horsepower at 4,000 RPM. The optional 4.6-liter V8 had dual overhead camshafts, sequential fuel injection, an aluminum block and head, and produced 205 horsepower at 4,500 RPM and 265 lb-ft of torque. A four-speed automatic with overdrive was standard.

Styling revisions were minimal, focusing on the grille, hood, headlight, and bumper cover areas. The options list gained an anti-theft system and traction control. Additional items on the options list included a power moonroof, Tri-Coat paint, Traction Assist, Power Driver's Seat, illuminated entry system, leather-wrapped steering wheel, and an AM/FM stereo radio with CD Player and premium sound.

Ford had produced 114,823 examples of the Thunderbird in 1996, falling to 85,029 in 1996, and 73,814 in 1997.

by Daniel Vaughan | May 2021