As a young child of the 1980s and the son of a Ford man, I hold the Fox-Body Thunderbird in high regard. I watched Bob Glidden vanquish his competition in the NHRA Pro Stock category, and I rooted for Bill Elliott, Davey Allison, and Mark Martin in NASCAR. What did they all have in common? They drove, in silhouette at least, ’80s T-Birds. I even put in a lot of miles in my dad’s ’87, so it’s a little sad for me that I see so few on the road or at car shows. They are, however, still out there, even in my home state of Michigan, where you’ll find this ’84 élan (which indeed uses a lowercase “e” in Ford materials) in Pleasant Ridge. It’s being offered as an eBay auction with a current high bid of $5,600 (and the reserve has not been met).
The élan was the “luxury” Thunderbird, analogous to a Firebird Esprit, perhaps, or a Camaro Berlinetta. Its seats were plusher than they were in a standard Thunderbird, and in this case, the blue velour that was such a token of the 1980s seems to be in amazingly good original condition. The dashboard from the much more rectilinear 1980-82 models stuck around for one last year in 1984 before being completely restyled in a more modern manner for the following year.
In addition to the plush upholstery, the élan had extra standard features, such as this digital instrument cluster, tilt steering wheel, power windows, power locks, an electronic AM/FM radio, and the light group. Notice that this one has the optional AOD automatic overdrive transmission.
Fortunately for the new owner, the car was ordered with the optional 140-horsepower 302, which was not the high-output version used on the Mustang GT, but something more akin to what you’d find in a Crown Victoria. Still, there was plenty of torque for your T-Bird to feel punchy in traffic. The engine compartment looks pretty clean, and the Marti Report says that this car came with 3.08:1 gears in the rear axle. Amazingly, this car, originally from Ohio, does not have factory air conditioning (if the lack of an AC compressor isn’t proof enough, the climate controls are).
Nor is it wearing its original wheels and whitewall tires, but instead, it has a set of new Turbo Coupe/Mustang GT 10-hole alloy wheels, which look much better anyway. The eBay ad doesn’t mention if the paint job is original, but considering that my dad’s ’87 was painted the same Silver Clearcoat Metallic paint, it just might be; that car’s paint job held up amazingly well for years. Some people disliked Aerobirds because they were among the first cars to usher in the “jellybean” shape, but I think they’re more nuanced than that. It’s hard to believe that they’re 40 years old now, but this one certainly doesn’t look its age; it might be worthy of a bid if you don’t mind driving with the windows down.
Nice Elan. Guaranteed comfortable, cheerful cruising and style as well 😎
I have a personal preference for the earlier 4 eyed versions like this one. This T Bird looks like a cream puff. The interior is outstanding. I always thought these T Birds had very comfortable interiors. Great write up Aaron!!!
I usually prefer stock wheels but these are just fine. Very nice car.
The phone-dial rims Andy ☎️ They look great at night time 🌃 when they’re shiny.
I had one just like this
..Sàme color.. but mine had A/C. Loved the car…comfortable.. drove great. Worse car I ever had on slick roads tho.
My Turbo Coupe was a nightmare on even light snow.
Seconding that, I had an ’84 TC with ’85 wheels and Gatorbacks (Also guilty of having Fox Bodies with the worse tires for NE Ohio, can you say Michelin TRX?!?) they made getting around in winter a very slow and methodical operation. But I loved those cars!!!! And this Elan is a beaut!!!
This is in Pleasant Ridge,MICHIGAN.
I said that in the opening paragraph. The car was originally sold in Ohio.
If you were to have cropped the photo of the interior to only show a corner of the seat it would be recognizable as a Ford. I recognize that styling from my 88 1/2 Escort. Loved that car.
Not only no AC, but no cassette player either. Weirdly optioned, but otherwise a heck of a ride.
Nice AeroBird.
Trivia: via the Marti Report, the car was ordered under “A Plan”, i.e. for a Ford employee. The ordering dealer was in Parma OH (the dealership is still in the same location), with car being built in Lorain OH. Both are in the Cleveland metro.
I like the Aerobird, better as a turbo coupe, but after hearing about the traction problems I’ll reconsider. My Fox body gets a little squirrelly in the rain.
Snow tires would have made it way easier to drive. My mustang was impossible. With snow tires I would get ahead of the 4x4s
No A/C? Not for me in Houston! Guess A/C in 1982 was an option.
Ended at $5,600.
Reserve Not Met
7 bids.