Performance Review: Ford Thunderbird 390 Convertible 3rd Gen. - [1961]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Ford Thunderbird Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Ford Thunderbird 390 Convertible 3rd Gen. is the 3 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 1961. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1962 Chevrolet Corvette C1 327 V8 and the 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO.This particular Ford Thunderbird has a 6384cc 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 1960 kgs (4321 lbs) this makes the Ford Thunderbird 390 Convertible 3rd Gen. in the same weight category as the 2022 BMW 3 Series M3 Competition Touring 3.0 xDrive 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 6384cc 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 427 lb-ft (578.9 Nm) @ 2800 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (418 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne S 4.0 V8 Turbo (443 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 1992 Mazda RX7 Turbo (180.1 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Ford Thunderbird.

The Ford Thunderbird has a Power to weight ratio of 155.1 bhp per ton and 217.8 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1961 Thunderbird competing with the 1992 Mazda RX7 Turbo (180.1 bhp per ton) or the 1975 Lotus Esprit S1 2.0 (180.0 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 217.8 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 2016 Audi A8 S8 Plus 4.0 V8 Turbo (242.8 lb-ft per ton) or the 2016 BMW 1 Series M140i F21 LCI (242.7 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 390 Convertible 3rd 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 390 Convertible 3rd 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 1970 Chevrolet Malibu 5.7 V8 Turbo Hydra-Matic

When talking about the performance of the Ford Thunderbird on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.33 secs @ 89.2 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1970 Chevrolet Malibu 5.7 V8 Turbo Hydra-Matic (15.26 secs), the 1986 Lamborghini LM002 5.2 V12 (15.29 secs), and the 1953 Alfa-Romeo Disco Volante 1900 Touring Coupe (15.30 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1961 version of the Ford Thunderbird 390 Convertible 3rd Gen. has a maximum speed of 125mph.

Top Speed of the 1961 Thunderbird equals the 2012 Ford Fiesta ST 1.6 Turbo (136 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1961 Ford Thunderbird 390 Convertible 3rd Gen. then how about the 2012 Ford Fiesta ST 1.6 Turbo (136 mph), the 2011 Alfa-Romeo Mito 170 Quadrifoglio Verde (136 mph), or the 1992 Subaru Legacy 2.0 Turbo (136 mph).

Related Links:

1961 Thunderbird Rivals List.

A Brief History of Ford

Car Comparison