Ford Thunderbird (fifth generation)

Ford Thunderbird
Fifth generation
1969 Ford Thunderbird
Overview
ManufacturerFord Motor Company
Production1966−1971
Model years1967−1971
AssemblyUnited States: Wixom Assembly Plant, Wixom, Michigan
Body and chassis
ClassPersonal luxury car
Body style
LayoutFront-engine, rear-wheel-drive
Chassisbody-on-frame
RelatedContinental Mark III
Powertrain
Engine
  • 390 cu in (6.4 L) FE V8
  • 428 cu in (7.0 L) FE V8
  • 429 cu in (7.0 L) 385 V8
Transmission3-speed Cruise-o-Matic automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase2-door models: 115 in (2,921 mm) [1]
4-door Landau: 117.2 in (2977 mm)
Length2-door models: 206.9 in (5,255 mm)
4-door Landau: 209.4 in (5,319 mm)
Chronology
PredecessorFord Thunderbird (fourth generation)
SuccessorFord Thunderbird (sixth generation)

The fifth generation Ford Thunderbird is a large personal luxury car series, produced by Ford for the 1967–1971 model years.

This fifth generation saw the second major change of direction for the Thunderbird. The Thunderbird had fundamentally remained the same in concept through 1966, although the design had been revised twice. The debut of the Ford Mustang in early 1964, and subsequent introduction of the larger, more upmarket Mercury Cougar, to compete with the similarly larger Dodge ChargerChrysler's more upscale answer to Ford and G.M.'s pony cars[2] – began to erode the Thunderbird sales and drove it to still get larger, with Ford even introducing four-door Thunderbird Landaus.

In fact, for 1969 the Continental Mark III was launched as a two-door only personal luxury coupé, that was based directly on the four-door, 117 in (2.97 m) wheelbase Thunderbird chassis, and from that point until the end of 1976, Ford Thunderbirds and Continental Marks were related cars. They would share commonality again later from 1984–1998.

  1. ^ Dusan Ristic-Petrovic. "File: 1967 Thunderbird Salesman's Data/1967 Thunderbird Salesman's Data-18". Oldcarbrochures.com. Retrieved 2011-11-20.
  2. ^ Years before Chrysler introduced the more compact 1970 Dodge Challenger and Plymouth "Cudas"