The Ford Thunderbird is one of the more iconic models in the blue oval’s history, but there’s a definite hierarchy to the different generations. The earliest cars are the most celebrated, while the most recent iteration seems to be enjoying some renewed appreciation with its retro-inspired styling. In between those models was the supercharged MN12-era coupes, which remain an underappreciated GT car. This Thunderbird listed here on craigslist is offered for a very reasonable $4,000 with just over 100K miles.
Supercharged models weren’t exactly common in the late 80s, and despite several attempts to make it more mainstream among the GT and sports car class, it didn’t exactly take off. I often think of Volkswagen’s Corrado G60, which quickly pivoted to V6 power after a short – and shaky – dalliance with supercharging. Ford seemed to fare better with this approach, but the supercharged Thunderbird didn’t stick around after production ended of the MN12 chassis coupes.
Like the Porsche 928, the Thunderbird was a big, comfy GT car that made real power and could stretch its legs out on the interstate for hours at a time. However, like a lot of domestic products at the time, there was a firm association of the Thunderbird and its cousins at Lincoln with being geared towards an older owner set, so even with the cool SC badge in the steering wheel, ground effects kit, and unique alloy wheels, Thunderbirds like this one didn’t exactly bring a ton of younger drivers through the doors.
This example is clearly a driver, but the price is right for the mileage and seemingly stock condition. The seller mentions that it runs fine and has working air conditioning; the only demerit of any significance beyond some cosmetic flaws is a missing radio. The Thunderbird S/C is an underappreciated modern classic, and certainly seems like one of the few performance car bargains still available on the market today. Do you think the supercharged Thunderbird is worthy of more love from enthusiasts?
If it wasn’t in Jersey I’d buy it today. Always liked this body. Owned a V8 version. It does indeed look like a good bargain. Good luck and happy motoring to whoever buys her.
Did they say where in New Jersey
Hackensack
I think Jeff has well-described the Super Coupe. Nicely styled, big, with the supercharger reasonably powerful, more appealing to ‘older’ folks. The market for them hasn’t really developed, thus the modest price. So for this price one could afford to do some upgrades. A cheap way to get into the hobby.
These are great starter classics for people given they’re not very expensive and are fun to drive. I wish the seller would have given some better pictures, including a picture of the full car. Too many extreme close ups.
I had a V8 version of this body style. Mine had lots of little problems, the capper being when the fan separated from the motor and went though the radiator.
i never understood why the blue oval boys didn’t flock to this body over the fox body to eat up the bowtie boys (i have a hard time believing it’s just the nameplate). better wheel base and balance than the foxes to actually put the power to the ground. me , i’m i a notch back fan but in either configuration these are a sweet ride.
had a couple in the repair list back in the day and they went really well
I think people are distrustful of the supercharger. Just something more exotic to break. I like this car but would rather have a V8.
IF I had to choose between the TBird SC and the Riviera SC, it’s the Riv, hands down.
What do others think?
I had this exact car except mine had cloth interior and a sunroof. Same year, color and tranny. Absolutely loved that car. When the wife totaled her 82 Supra, she wanted to get the Probe GT but I talked her into another Super Coupe T-Bird for the family (silver ‘91) so we were a two bird family. Then kids happened and it was difficult putting babies in a a car seat in a 2-door. This was one I wish I could get back…
3.8 Essex V6 🍁
I had one just like this. Brakes were a pain. When they worked it was great! When that bendix unit worked.
‘executive car’, ‘personal car’, & european challenger were the car writers names. Similarly the fox-bird was a lill earlier w/108.5 inch WB. This 1 had some great transmis (mazda 5, aod, 4r70w) and motors (essix, modular8). Pretty nice style for some but several decades of ford targeting the (what my mom called) Q-Tips (white hared folk like her) pegged it out of the ‘sports car’ mrkt. The bent8 & SC helped get it “back in”.
As a Ford tech forever, I replaced a ton of head gaskets on 3.8L’s, but not on the blown one. They either did something different, or I just didn’t see enough of them.