The decision to restore a car – especially with the help of a professional shop – is not one that should be taken lightly. Doing it yourself, sure – go nuts. If you spend countless hours perfecting a vehicle with a limited market and value horizon, that’s on you. However, when you begin paying shop bills, you should either love the car in question and/or be fairly certain you’ll get your money back out of it. This 1986 Ford Thunderbird Turbo Coupe has been overhauled with a claimed $10,000-plus in repairs and improvements, and is listed here on craigslist. The seller is asking $10,000 and it’s located near Richmond, VA.
Thanks to Barn Finds reader Rocco B. for the tip. The Thunderbird Turbo Coupe was a surprisingly competent performer when new, with road test editors praising the impressive performance out of the box for a 4-cylinder engine. And, as we all know, it’s easy to uncork even more performance with a few bolt-on upgrades. The Turbo Coupe ran to 60 in under 10 seconds and the quarter mile in 16. Of course, with any four-banger, coarseness and unappealing sounds come with the territory, so don’t buy one of these if you’re looking for a memorable engine note. I always dug the Marchal driving lamps, however.
Here’s the issue with this particular car: the seller has farmed out its modest restoration to a local shop which apparently billed him over $10,000 for a variety of repairs and improvements. The headgasket, heater core, A/C compressor, audio system, belts, and window motors – along with many other parts – were all replaced, and numerous cosmetic tweaks were made as well. The rear spoiler was painted (black, oddly enough), the headlights and fog lights were replaced, and later “snowflake” wheels were installed. The interior looks like it didn’t need much reconditioning, although seeing the optional automatic transmission is a bummer.
The engine bay features an open element filter, a modification we typically refer to as a “hot air intake.” This makes me question why this so-called performance shop didn’t spot this and immediately correct it with a proper cold air induction system or otherwise leave the factory components in place. It also looks like the paint inside the engine bay is a bit lighter than the outside panels, so has this Thunderbird been painted? The good news is, regardless of the soundness of the investment, the next owner will get to enjoy what sounds like a good-running Turbo Coupe with lots of proactive maintenance done.
I am a fan of the aero-themed styling on this generation of T-Birds. They looked good then, and still look clean and classy today. I like the four-eyes a little better than the later aero-nose cars. This Turbo Coupe looks good, it’s even in my favorite color. Lots of mechanical updates. Seems like the seller just wants to get out from under the car. The automatic would not be my preference.
Good job Jeff.
I agree with you Bob. I knew a guy who bought one used in high school. Either an ’83 or ’84. White red interior and it was a stick. It was very quick for what it was and was very balanced and handled good for its size. Strangely enough, I remember how comfortable the seats were. I’m also more of a fan of the earlier ones with 4 eyes as well. This looks nice, but I’d prefer a stick for sure.
This T Bird model was well reviewed by Hagerty and Road & Track for balance and fast response from new EEC IV computer. Fox platform that did not have the overdone “Euro” look of mid 80’s in domestic sporters.
We had a silver 5 speed Borg Warner version as a loaner in ’86 and it was a joy to drive. Comfortable, Great balance and 4 wh disc. Nice boost and no heavy engine up front.
The 1987 was upgraded 45 more hp to 190 with new air cooled intercooler thru 2 hood openings and 3.55 rear with 5 spd.
Hagerty insurance in 2023 showed 55% of new policies were Gen Z and X, only 30% Boomers and values turning up.
That might be because of the big industry around the 2.3L engine bolt ons – lots of bearing surface and very durable for 200+ HP builds.
For wrench turners the rare luxury abounds: lots of underhood room to work!
Worth a look and a drive!
Great data thank you! I wonder what this will mean for the values of 1960s muscle cars.
Presuming the mechanical work performed was proper, this could make a nice retro daily driver. I always liked Ford’s premium sound with the graphics equalizer for that time (80’s). Not sure what an upgraded boost control module implies. Is it from an 87 TC or is it a manual controller? With the extra boost and upgraded fuel pump, was the ECM/ECU upgraded? Having owned an SVO, XR4Ti, and a TC, I wonder. Is $10k a fair price? Perhaps or perhaps not. There is something for everyone. Presents as a nice car.
Loved the XR4Ti. Very tight!
I drove one of these when it was brand new. I had a friend that was an executive at Ford. He said he had a new T-Bird demo and I should drive it. He also said I am not going to give you any info first. Needless to say after driving it and seeing what I had driven I was in shock! I assumed it had some big V-8.
I was sold immediately. With this one so well cared for I think it could be very tempting.
The Turbo coupes, both generations were beautiful cars. It’s hard to believe this inky recently had a rear wing installed, the lack of pictures showing it suggests the seller knows that too. Nothing ruins the look of a classic car quicker than it’s installation. Like them or not, they worked on many late-60’s and early-70’s Muscle cars when they were incorporated into specific packages, that’s not the case with this car. The automatic and wing will likely make it a tough sell.
Steve R
Agree on the wing, but not the tranny. Autos are almost universal these days. Old cooters who can drive a stick won’t be around forever and someone needs to buy these cars someday. You and I may desire a manual but most people do not. The times they are a changing, if I may quote Mr D.
When I first saw that rear spoiler, I was wondering if it was an original option.
The next thing I noticed is that it looks to be on backwards.
In any case, it has to come off.
Take it off! Take it off! Take it off! Oops…wrong format.
Not to quibble, but these are the wrong wheels for a 1986 Turbo Coupe. When new, it would have had the same wheels as the 1985-86 Mustang GT/LX 5.0 and 1987-90 LX 5.0. These are the 1987-88 rims. The owner does point that out in his ad though.
And the engine bay looks a little grubby for a “full restoration.” But beyond that I love these turbo T-Birds from this era! I believe they are the best Thunderbirds.
If you can’t do your own work, it’s quick and easy to get upside down on a build. This is that.
Adding power to an automatic equipped one of these is just pulling the pin on the grenade. Only a matter of time now.
It’s a good looking car (although I prefer the 87/88 models) but an ambitious price.
I have never bought a car to fix up and resell. I bought two t-birds. Me and my son took the (v6) motor out of an 87 and disassembled the motor and did a complete rebuild for the fun of it – suspension bushings, shocks too. Much the same for for a 94 v-8. Great fun and a learning experience for all concerned. I loved the ‘USA’ road ‘pretty good’ handling and the QUIET comfy ride. The v-8 was plenty quick. OF COURSE both were sold at a tremendous loss! hahaha. I’m not among the entrepreneurial types who think cars are an investment. To me… they are a fun expense.
I had a ’84 Turbo Coupe with the TRX suspension and 5 speed. The turbo 4 moved the car down the road without question. With the TRX suspension it handled amazingly well. The TRX tires were expensive and hard to find, so the wheels and tires were replaced with wheels from a Mustang GT. Fun car to drive as a daily driver.
For me, this generation of Thunderbird was the first sign that the drab days of malaise were ending. Ford bet big on aerodynamics for improved fuel economy, and this car, along with its sister Mark VII Lincoln, made the look work esthetically, as well as funtionally. Much better looking than the European Jelly Bean cars.
Both were derrived from one of the 1980s Ford “Probe” show cars. The Lincoln was actually ready first, but Ford decided to introduce the new look on the T-bird, and later for Lincoln’s more conservative customers.
I test drove one when new, but it was just out of reach