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Thunderbird (Gen 4, 'Bullet Bird')
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Thunderbird (Gen 4, 'Bullet Bird')

Gen 3 · 1961–1963RWD

The Gen 4 Thunderbird, nicknamed the Bullet Bird, is a two-door coupe built from 1961 to 1963 with seating for four. A 6.4-liter V8 produces 300 PS and drives the rear wheels through a 3-speed automatic. It is a straightforward big-engine luxury coupe layout.

296 hpPower
9.1 s0-100 km/h
207 km/hTop Speed
1961-1963Year
Engineering passport

Specifications

Powertrain
Engineering details
Engine6.4L V8 (390)
Displacement6.4 L
Cylinders8
FuelPetrol
Transmission3-speed Automatic
DrivetrainRWD
Performance
Numbers that matter
Power296 hp
0-100 km/h9.1 s
Top speed207 km/h
Dimensions & body
Length5207 mm
Width1943 mm
Height1334 mm
Wheelbase2870 mm
Doors2
Seats4

STORY

Ford showed the Thunderbird at the Detroit Auto Show on February 20, 1954, as a two-seat rival to the Corvette. In 1955 it sold 16,155 cars against 700 Corvettes. For 1958 it became a four-seater, and 37,892 were sold that first year. In 1967 Ford offered a four-door for the first time, with rear-hinged doors like a Lincoln Continental. After a break, the name returned for 2002 as a retro two-seat convertible with a removable hardtop, and the last one was built in July 2005.

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