Performance Review: Ford Thunderbird 300 4.9L V8 8th Gen - [1980]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Ford Thunderbird Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Ford Thunderbird 300 4.9L V8 8th Gen is the 4 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 1980. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1980 Lotus Esprit S2.2 Turbo and the 1981 Porsche 924 Carrera GTS 937.This particular Ford Thunderbird has a 4942cc 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, Coupe 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 1500 kgs (3306 lbs) this makes the Ford Thunderbird 300 4.9L V8 8th 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 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp)

In terms of power the 4942cc 16V V8 engine produces 131 bhp (97 kW) @ 3600 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp) or the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 230 lb-ft (311.8 Nm) @ 1600 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (236 lb-ft) or the 2020 McLaren Sabre 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (206 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 1990 Chevrolet Camaro 5.0 V8 RS (112.2 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Ford Thunderbird.

The Ford Thunderbird has a Power to weight ratio of 87.3 bhp per ton and 153.3 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1980 Thunderbird competing with the 1990 Chevrolet Camaro 5.0 V8 RS (112.2 bhp per ton) or the 2005 Hummer H2 6.0 V8 (112.0 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 153.3 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 2017 Audi A3 S3 Saloon 2.0 Turbo (178.3 lb-ft per ton) or the 2016 Jaguar F-Pace 3.0 V6 Supercharged (178.3 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 11.90 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 12.3 secs, this made the Ford Thunderbird 300 4.9L V8 8th Gen as fast as the 1978 Ford Mustang 2 Cobra 140 2.3 (12.00 secs) the 1977 Ford Thunderbird 400 6.6L V8 7th Gen (12.00 secs) the 1968 Ford Cortina MkII GT (12.00 secs) the or the 1965 Bentley T 6.2 V8 (12.00 secs). This Ford Thunderbird 300 4.9L V8 8th Gen is also faster than the 1978 Ford Mustang 2 Cobra 140 2.3 (12.00 secs) the 1977 Ford Thunderbird 400 6.6L V8 7th Gen (12.00 secs) the 1968 Ford Cortina MkII GT (12.00 secs) the and the 1965 Bentley T 6.2 V8 (12.00 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Thunderbird and the 1964 Chevrolet Chevy II Nova SS 283 V8 Turbo Fire

When talking about the performance of the Ford Thunderbird on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 18.64 secs @ 73.4 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1964 Chevrolet Chevy II Nova SS 283 V8 Turbo Fire (18.55 secs), the 2008 Abarth 500 Opening Edition 1.4 Turbo (18.55 secs), and the 2000 Vauxhall-Opel Vectra 2.5 V6 GSi (18.57 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1980 version of the Ford Thunderbird 300 4.9L V8 8th Gen has a maximum speed of 101mph.

Top Speed of the 1980 Thunderbird equals the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E AWD (112 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1980 Ford Thunderbird 300 4.9L V8 8th Gen then how about the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E AWD (112 mph), the 2012 Fiat 500 L TwinAir Turbo (112 mph), or the 2011 Dacia Sandero 1.6 16v (112 mph).

Related Links:

1980 Thunderbird Rivals List.

A Brief History of Ford

Car Comparison