Performance Review: Ford Thunderbird 390 Convertible 4th Gen. - [1964]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Ford Thunderbird Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Ford Thunderbird 390 Convertible 4th Gen. is the 3 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 1964. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965 and the 1964 Jaguar XJ 13 5.0 V12.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 2090 kgs (4607 lbs) this makes the Ford Thunderbird 390 Convertible 4th Gen. in the same weight category as the 2020 BMW X4 M40d 3.0 Turbo 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 1989 Mercedes SL Class 500SL R129 (170.4 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Ford Thunderbird.

The Ford Thunderbird has a Power to weight ratio of 145.4 bhp per ton and 204.3 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1964 Thunderbird competing with the 1989 Mercedes SL Class 500SL R129 (170.4 bhp per ton) or the 2003 Volvo S80 T6 3.0 Turbo (170.3 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 204.3 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 1971 Ford Mustang Boss 351 5.7 V8 (229.1 lb-ft per ton) or the 2016 BMW Z4 sDrive35is (229.1 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 8.90 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 9.2 secs, this made the Ford Thunderbird 390 Convertible 4th Gen. as fast as the 2008 Audi A4 1.8T Avant (8.90 secs) the 2005 Suzuki Swift 1.6 VVT Sport (8.90 secs) the 2000 Vauxhall-Opel Omega 3.2 V6 Automatic (8.90 secs) the or the 1990 Volvo 940 2.3 Turbo (8.90 secs). This Ford Thunderbird 390 Convertible 4th Gen. is also faster than the 2012 Mini Cooper SD Paceman (9.00 secs) the 2007 Ford Taurus AWD 3.5 V6 (9.00 secs) the 2004 Vauxhall-Opel Corsa 1.8 GSi (9.00 secs) the and the 2002 Land-Rover Range Rover V8 Vogue (9.00 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Thunderbird and the 2002 Renault Megane 2.0 T Renaultsport Trophy 225

When talking about the performance of the Ford Thunderbird on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.65 secs @ 87.4 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2002 Renault Megane 2.0 T Renaultsport Trophy 225 (15.58 secs), the 2003 Volvo S80 T6 3.0 Turbo (15.59 secs), and the 2004 Renault Clio 2.0 16V 182 Cup (15.60 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1964 version of the Ford Thunderbird 390 Convertible 4th Gen. has a maximum speed of 124mph.

Top Speed of the 1964 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 1964 Ford Thunderbird 390 Convertible 4th 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:

1964 Thunderbird Rivals List.

A Brief History of Ford

Car Comparison