Performance Review: Ford Thunderbird 312 - [1956]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Ford Thunderbird Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Ford Thunderbird 312 is the 3 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 1956. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1957 Chevrolet Corvette C1 283 Convertible and the 1957 Mercedes 300 SL II Roadster W198.This particular Ford Thunderbird has a 5116cc 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 1575 kgs (3472 lbs) this makes the Ford Thunderbird 312 in the same weight category as the 2023 Ferrari Roma Spider 3.9 V8 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Ford Thunderbird shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp)

In terms of power the 5116cc 16V V8 engine produces 225 bhp (167 kW) @ 4600 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp) or the 2020 Audi TT S Turbo 50 TFSI (225 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 324 lb-ft (439.2 Nm) @ 2600 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Porsche Boxster Spyder RS 4.0 982 (332 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne 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 1997 Honda Civic Type R 1.6 16v - EK9 (167.8 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Ford Thunderbird.

The Ford Thunderbird has a Power to weight ratio of 142.8 bhp per ton and 205.7 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1956 Thunderbird competing with the 1997 Honda Civic Type R 1.6 16v - EK9 (167.8 bhp per ton) or the 2018 BMW X5 M50d 3.0 Turbo (167.6 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 205.7 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 2010 Ford Mustang Boss 302 (230.7 lb-ft per ton) or the 1991 Porsche 928 GTS 5.4L V8 (230.6 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 10.20 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 10.5 secs, this made the Ford Thunderbird 312 as fast as the 2019 Ford Ranger F-150 Raptor 2.0 (10.20 secs) the 1983 Alfa-Romeo Alfasud 1.5 Ti QV (10.20 secs) the 1974 Peugeot 504 2.7 V6 (10.20 secs) the or the 1970 GMC Jimmy 5.7 V8 (10.20 secs). This Ford Thunderbird 312 is also faster than the 2005 Hummer H2 6.0 V8 (10.30 secs) the 1999 Ford Fiesta 1.6 Zetec S (10.30 secs) the 1984 Audi Coupe 2.0 GT (10.30 secs) the and the 1971 Bentley Corniche 6.8 V8 (10.30 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Thunderbird and the 2002 Infiniti G35 Sport Coupe

When talking about the performance of the Ford Thunderbird on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.8 secs @ 86.5 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2002 Infiniti G35 Sport Coupe (15.75 secs), the 2007 Renault Megane Renaultsport 230 F1 Team R26R (15.75 secs), and the 2007 Renault Megane Renaultsport 230 F1 Team R26 (15.75 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1956 version of the Ford Thunderbird 312 has a maximum speed of 113mph.

Top Speed of the 1956 Thunderbird equals the 2015 Renault Megane Energy TCe 205 GT 1.6 Turbo (124 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1956 Ford Thunderbird 312 then how about the 2015 Renault Megane Energy TCe 205 GT 1.6 Turbo (124 mph), the 2012 Mini Cooper SD Paceman (124 mph), or the 2012 Land-Rover Range Rover Sport 3.0 TDV6 (124 mph).

Related Links:

1956 Thunderbird Rivals List.

A Brief History of Ford

Car Comparison