Performance Review: Ford Thunderbird 292 Fordomatic 1st Gen. - [1955]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Ford Thunderbird Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Ford Thunderbird 292 Fordomatic 1st Gen. is the 3 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 1955. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1955 Ferrari 410 Superamerica Series 1 and the 1955 Mercedes SL Class 300SL Gullwing W198.This particular Ford Thunderbird has a 4778cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V8's includes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The Thunderbird shares its Petrol V8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Thunderbird's Rear Wheel Drive, Cabriolet combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1480 kgs (3262 lbs) this makes the Ford Thunderbird 292 Fordomatic 1st Gen. in the same weight category as the 2023 Porsche Boxster Spyder RS 4.0 982 or the give or take 50kg.

The Ford Thunderbird shares the same bhp with the 2020 Audi TT S Turbo 50 TFSI (225 bhp)

In terms of power the 4778cc 16V V8 engine produces 201 bhp (149 kW) @ 4400 rpm similar to the 2020 Audi TT S Turbo 50 TFSI (225 bhp) or the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (197 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 285 lb-ft (386.4 Nm) @ 2500 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (295 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (310 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Ford Thunderbird you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2017 Volkswagen-VW Arteon 2.0 TSI 4Motion (160.8 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Ford Thunderbird.

The Ford Thunderbird has a Power to weight ratio of 135.8 bhp per ton and 192.5 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1955 Thunderbird competing with the 2017 Volkswagen-VW Arteon 2.0 TSI 4Motion (160.8 bhp per ton) or the 1958 Ford Thunderbird 352 Special Overdrive 2nd Gen. (160.8 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Ford Thunderbird generating around 192.5 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1968 Holden Monaro GTS 327 5.4 V8 (217.3 lb-ft per ton) or the 2009 Mercedes S Class 63 L AMG (217.2 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 9.40 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 9.7 secs, this made the Ford Thunderbird 292 Fordomatic 1st Gen. as fast as the 1986 Ford Granada Scorpio 4x4 2.8 V6 (9.40 secs) the 1973 Vauxhall-Opel Firenza Droop Snoot 2.3 Litre (9.40 secs) the 2001 Alfa-Romeo 147 TS Selespeed (9.50 secs) the or the 1993 Rover 200 216 GTi Coupe (9.50 secs). This Ford Thunderbird 292 Fordomatic 1st Gen. is also faster than the 2001 Alfa-Romeo 147 TS Selespeed (9.50 secs) the 1993 Rover 200 216 GTi Coupe (9.50 secs) the 1992 Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit II 6.8 V8 (9.50 secs) the and the 1978 Mazda RX7 SA22C (9.50 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Thunderbird and the 1972 Chevrolet Corvette C3 Stingray ZR-1

When talking about the performance of the Ford Thunderbird on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 16.09 secs @ 85.0 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1972 Chevrolet Corvette C3 Stingray ZR-1 (16.02 secs), the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (16.02 secs), and the 2019 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range (16.03 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1955 version of the Ford Thunderbird 292 Fordomatic 1st Gen. has a maximum speed of 108mph.

Top Speed of the 1955 Thunderbird equals the 2013 Renault Captur 1.2 Turbo TCe 120 EDC (119 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1955 Ford Thunderbird 292 Fordomatic 1st Gen. then how about the 2013 Renault Captur 1.2 Turbo TCe 120 EDC (119 mph), the 2012 Mini Cooper Paceman (119 mph), or the 1985 Toyota MR2 Mk1 (119 mph).

Related Links:

1955 Thunderbird Rivals List.

A Brief History of Ford

Car Comparison