Performance Review: Ford Thunderbird 352 Special Overdrive 2nd Gen. - [1958]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Ford Thunderbird Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Ford Thunderbird 352 Special Overdrive 2nd Gen. is the 4 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1958. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1959 Ferrari 410 Superamerica Series 3 and the 1959 Aston-Martin DB4 GT Zagato.This particular Ford Thunderbird has a 5766cc 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 1890 kgs (4166 lbs) this makes the Ford Thunderbird 352 Special Overdrive 2nd Gen. in the same weight category as the 2022 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 or the give or take 50kg.

The Ford Thunderbird shares the same bhp with the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp)

In terms of power the 5766cc 16V V8 engine produces 304 bhp (226 kW) @ 4600 rpm similar to the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 380 lb-ft (515.2 Nm) @ 2800 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (369 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne 3.0 V6 Turbo (369 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 2020 Toyota Camry TRD 3.5 V6 (185.8 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Ford Thunderbird.

The Ford Thunderbird has a Power to weight ratio of 160.8 bhp per ton and 201.0 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1958 Thunderbird competing with the 2020 Toyota Camry TRD 3.5 V6 (185.8 bhp per ton) or the 1982 Ferrari 308 GTB QV 3.0l V8 (185.8 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 201.0 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 2019 Renault Megane RS 1.8 Turbo 300 Trophy-R (225.8 lb-ft per ton) or the 1992 Maserati Shamal 3.2L V8 BiTurbo (225.8 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 8.40 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 8.7 secs, this made the Ford Thunderbird 352 Special Overdrive 2nd Gen. as fast as the 2007 Seat Ibiza 1.8 20vt FR (8.40 secs) the 2006 Peugeot 207 CC GT (8.40 secs) the 2003 Vauxhall-Opel Astra 2.2 16V (8.40 secs) the or the 1996 Peugeot 106 16v GTi (8.40 secs). This Ford Thunderbird 352 Special Overdrive 2nd Gen. is also faster than the 2012 Land-Rover Range Rover Sport 3.0 TDV6 (8.50 secs) the 2004 Land-Rover Discovery 3 4.4 V8 (8.50 secs) the 2000 Volkswagen-VW Golf GT TDi 150 (8.50 secs) the and the 1997 Peugeot 306 2.0 XSi (8.50 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Thunderbird and the 1982 Ferrari 308 GTS QV 3.0l V8

When talking about the performance of the Ford Thunderbird on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.97 secs @ 91.4 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1982 Ferrari 308 GTS QV 3.0l V8 (14.91 secs), the 1990 Mercedes E Class 500 W124 (14.91 secs), and the 2009 BMW Z4 35i sDrive 2d (14.92 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1958 version of the Ford Thunderbird 352 Special Overdrive 2nd Gen. has a maximum speed of 124mph.

Top Speed of the 1958 Thunderbird equals the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6 (135 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1958 Ford Thunderbird 352 Special Overdrive 2nd Gen. then how about the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6 (135 mph), the 2020 Toyota Camry TRD 3.5 V6 (135 mph), or the 2018 Abarth 595 Turismo 1.4 Turbo (135 mph).

Related Links:

1958 Thunderbird Rivals List.

A Brief History of Ford

Car Comparison