Performance Review: Ford Thunderbird 400 6.6L V8 7th Gen - [1977]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Ford Thunderbird Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Ford Thunderbird 400 6.6L V8 7th Gen is the 3 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 1977. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1977 Porsche 911 Turbo and the 1978 BMW M1 3.5 2d Manual.This particular Ford Thunderbird has a 6590cc 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 1969 kgs (4340 lbs) this makes the Ford Thunderbird 400 6.6L V8 7th Gen in the same weight category as the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E AWD or the give or take 50kg.

The Ford Thunderbird shares the same bhp with the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (197 bhp)

In terms of power the 6590cc 16V V8 engine produces 173 bhp (129 kW) @ 3800 rpm similar to the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (197 bhp) or the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 326 lb-ft (441.9 Nm) @ 1600 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 1990 Audi Quattro 2.2T (112.8 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Ford Thunderbird.

The Ford Thunderbird has a Power to weight ratio of 87.8 bhp per ton and 165.5 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1977 Thunderbird competing with the 1990 Audi Quattro 2.2T (112.8 bhp per ton) or the 1979 Peugeot 505 2.2 GTi Turbo (112.7 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 165.5 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 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range (190.5 lb-ft per ton) or the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.0 EcoBlue (190.5 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 12.00 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 12.4 secs, this made the Ford Thunderbird 400 6.6L V8 7th Gen as fast as the 1978 Ford Mustang 2 Cobra 140 2.3 (12.00 secs) the 1968 Ford Cortina MkII GT (12.00 secs) the 1965 Bentley T 6.2 V8 (12.00 secs) the or the 1959 Bentley S 2 Saloon (12.00 secs). This Ford Thunderbird 400 6.6L V8 7th Gen is also faster than the 1967 Rover P5 B 3.5 V8 Coupe (12.10 secs) the 1967 Rover P5 B 3.5 V8 (12.10 secs) the 1967 Mercedes 200 W114 Sedan Serie 1 (12.10 secs) the and the 1970 Vauxhall-Opel Manta Rallye 1.9 8v (12.20 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Thunderbird and the 2013 Porsche Macan 3.0 Diesel S Sport

When talking about the performance of the Ford Thunderbird on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 18.53 secs @ 73.8 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2013 Porsche Macan 3.0 Diesel S Sport (18.45 secs), the 2013 BMW i8 1.5 Turbo Hybrid (18.46 secs), and the 1988 Volkswagen-VW Corrado G60 (18.47 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1977 version of the Ford Thunderbird 400 6.6L V8 7th Gen has a maximum speed of 114mph.

Top Speed of the 1977 Thunderbird equals the 2011 Renault Twingo 1.6 133 Renaultsport Cup (125 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1977 Ford Thunderbird 400 6.6L V8 7th Gen then how about the 2011 Renault Twingo 1.6 133 Renaultsport Cup (125 mph), the 2011 Fisker Karma Hybrid (125 mph), or the 2009 Tesla Roadster Electric 248bhp (125 mph).

Related Links:

1977 Thunderbird Rivals List.

A Brief History of Ford

Car Comparison