Performance Review: Ford Thunderbird 460 7.5 V8 6th Gen - [1972]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Ford Thunderbird Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Ford Thunderbird 460 7.5 V8 6th Gen is the 3 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 1972. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1973 Monteverdi Hai 450 GTS and the 1973 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona.This particular Ford Thunderbird has a 7536cc 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 2126 kgs (4687 lbs) this makes the Ford Thunderbird 460 7.5 V8 6th Gen in the same weight category as the 2021 Rimac Nevera 1888bhp Electric AWD 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 7536cc 16V V8 engine produces 224 bhp (167 kW) @ 4400 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 342 lb-ft (463.6 Nm) @ 2800 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Lotus Emira First Edition i4 2.0 Turbo (317 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Boxster Spyder RS 4.0 982 (332 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 1996 Audi A4 2.8 Quattro (130.3 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Ford Thunderbird.

The Ford Thunderbird has a Power to weight ratio of 105.3 bhp per ton and 160.8 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1972 Thunderbird competing with the 1996 Audi A4 2.8 Quattro (130.3 bhp per ton) or the 1985 Vauxhall-Opel Monza GSE 3.0 (130.2 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 160.8 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 2004 Jaguar S Type 2.7d V6 Sport (185.8 lb-ft per ton) or the 1964 Lamborghini 350 GT 3.5L V12 (185.8 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 9.80 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 10.1 secs, this made the Ford Thunderbird 460 7.5 V8 6th Gen as fast as the 2012 Lexus CT 200h 1.8L (9.80 secs) the 1980 Ford Mustang M81 Mclaren 2.3 Turbo (9.80 secs) the 1979 Ford Mustang Indianapolis 500 Pace Car Replica Turbo (9.80 secs) the or the 1979 Volvo 242 GT 2.3 (9.80 secs). This Ford Thunderbird 460 7.5 V8 6th Gen is also faster than the 2001 Citroen C5 2.2 HDi 16v (9.90 secs) the 1997 Citroen Saxo 1.6i VTR (9.90 secs) the 1980 Nissan Skyline Hardtop 2000 Turbo GT-E (9.90 secs) the and the 1979 Dodge Magnum GT 5.9L V8 (9.90 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Thunderbird and the 2010 Land-Rover Evoque 2.0 Si4

When talking about the performance of the Ford Thunderbird on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 17.43 secs @ 78.5 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2010 Land-Rover Evoque 2.0 Si4 (17.35 secs), the 1974 Aston-Martin Lagonda Series 1 5.3L V8 (17.37 secs), and the 1971 Ford Mustang 351 5.8 V8 Convertible (17.37 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1972 version of the Ford Thunderbird 460 7.5 V8 6th Gen has a maximum speed of 126mph.

Top Speed of the 1972 Thunderbird equals the 2021 Porsche Taycan 4 Cross Turismo (137 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1972 Ford Thunderbird 460 7.5 V8 6th Gen then how about the 2021 Porsche Taycan 4 Cross Turismo (137 mph), the 2020 Ford Puma ST 1.5 Turbo (137 mph), or the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.0 EcoBlue Wagon (137 mph).

Related Links:

1972 Thunderbird Rivals List.

A Brief History of Ford

Car Comparison