Ford created the Personal Luxury Car market segment with the First Generation Thunderbird, and the badge served the company faithfully through good times and bad. This 1989 T-Bird presents exceptionally well thanks to leading a sheltered life. It could be an effective daily driver, although it also represents an affordable entry point into the world of classic car ownership. The seller has listed the Ford here on Craigslist in Medford, New York. They set their price at $7,700, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Mitchell G. for spotting this gem.
The Tenth Generation Thunderbird broke cover on December 26th, 1988, as a 1989 model. Our feature car rolled off the line that year and has led a sheltered life ever since. It has remained garage-kept, protecting it from the elements that could have wrought havoc on its paint and steel. The seller indicates the Silver paint gracing its exterior is original, with the T-Bird presenting nicely. There are no signs of patchiness or other problems, with the healthy shine adding to this car’s appeal. The panels are straight, and the Ford appears to be rust-free. Manufacturers had come to grips with plastic technology by the time this Thunderbird appeared, and issues like aging paint shade mismatch between steel and plastic components had almost disappeared. That is the case here because there is no evidence of problems or deterioration. The glass is spotless, with the car rolling on its original wheels with their wire hubcaps and narrow whitewalls.
Powering this Thunderbird is a 3.8-liter V6 that sends its power to the road via a four-speed Ford AOD automatic transmission. The V6 delivers 140hp and 215 ft/lbs of torque, meaning performance is competent but not startling. It will hardly set a drag strip alight, but the aerodynamic body means it could hit a top speed of 124mph. The news for potential buyers is positive. The odometer shows 46,000 original miles, and although the seller doesn’t mention supporting evidence, the car’s condition makes the claim seem plausible. The seller says it runs and drives like new, making it a turnkey proposition for its new owner.
An interior can tell plenty about the life any car has led. Neglect or abuse can reveal itself in stains, tears, and broken plastic. Those aren’t an issue here because this Thunderbird’s interior is almost perfect. I spotted some stretching on the driver’s seatcover, but that is one of the few faults worth mentioning. The remaining upholstered surfaces are spotless, while the pale gray carpet is free from wear and stains. There are no signs of crumbling plastic, suggesting this car hasn’t been exposed to the sun for extended periods. There are no aftermarket additions, and everything works as it should. The new owner receives ice-cold air conditioning, power windows, power locks, a power driver’s seat, cruise control, a tilt wheel, and an AM/FM radio/cassette player.
I admit the Tenth Generation Thunderbird isn’t the most desirable car on the planet. However, they offer respectable performance and equipment levels, while the economical V6 powerplant means they can be cost-effective daily drivers. The condition of our feature car is exceptional, and it has no apparent needs. The price is at the top end of the market, but it seems justified. It won’t be a classic that represents a gold-standard long-term investment, but it is affordable for someone considering dipping their toe into the water of classic car ownership for the first time. The seller probably won’t have potential buyers beating down their door, but I believe it will eventually find a new home.
The Essex V6 built in 🍁.
The latest supercharged version around 95′ or 96′ produced 230hp, 330ft/lbs @2500/rpm 🙌
My mother was a Thunderbird fan. She had a dark blue 1979 Diamond Jubilee Anniversary Edition Thunderbird with stock gold turbine wheels and dark blue leather interior with her initials monogrammed on the door. I remember as a sixteen year old kid I could smoke the tires for four blocks.
Then she got a red 1982 Thunderbird with red cloth interior. It was boxy like a Grenada but more luxurious. It was a nice car too.
Then she got a 1994 Thunderbird LX in Metallic Plum Pearl. That was at the time that Ford was selling the new hazy pearlescent paint colors. It was the only one in that color I’ve ever seen. It was a nice car.
Now since they don’t make Thunderbirds, she drives a super ugly Hyundai.
Not just because I’m a Ford man, I like every generation of the Ford Thunderbird. I do like some more than others. I do like this one featured here. I invested the time to try and find one to make mine. That was around 2010, and I can tell you there were very few on the market. The ones that were didn’t fit my taste in colors, and they were very expensive, very near to the one featured here. They may not be a hot collectable, but I believe they will always be desirable and will always hold their value. Remember the 84 Turbo Coupe? They were fast.
Those V6s were notorious for blowing head gaskets.
Never had that problem with my 1990 Tbird, but the rubber valve cover gaskets had a tendency to leak. Had to change mine a couple times before I got it right. Mine was red with a black interior. Smoothest riding car I had up until that point, handling pretty good and good pull away from a stop but no hot rod by any means.
I think you can believe that low mileage claim, based on the seats alone.
Ford’s fabric buckets of the time were absolute trash. If this was 146,000 miles the driver’s seat would be shredding and pulling from the seams. Just a little pulled thread, though it needs to be fixed promptly or the damage will soon begin, is an indicator that this thing was babied with sparing use over a long life.
Yep. I had an ’89, and the head gasket was going at 35k. Plus the brakes were garbage. Ford fixed the brakes for free, but balked at the head gasket. Also, you gotta look under the car. Our ’93 LX V-8 looked like a brand new car on the outside, after 8 years, but it was a rotting pig underneath.
Had a 91 with the 3.8 and auto. Big gripe I had, it was a bear trying to get the rear spark plug in the thing. It drove and handled fine which is why I got a 94 4.6.
For this generation, the Super Coupes get the attention. Good to see a lower-spec model in good condition.
I bought this car from Medford, and was not impressed. Drove okay at first, but soon after getting it home, it was one problem after another. Power windows stopped working, radiator was ready to blow up, started leaking coolant like a faucet. Had to find a new passenger side window glass because it turned out the clips had broken off, huge pain. Power steering whine was ridiculously loud, even after replacing pump. Little to no power, very disappointing coming from a 3.8, was almost dangerous to drive on the road with other cars, no pickup. Always felt as though it had a rough shift on tranny and started to doubt that it actually had 46k mi! After over $3,000.00 worth of work, finally junked it in the spring, but never will get my $7,000.00 back, huge regret. Buick, pontiac, or olds from the same era with the same engine had WAY more power and a lot less problems.