80-82 Thunderbird & Cougar - Were these cars that BAD?
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- Опубликовано: 11 окт 2024
- In today’s video we take a look at the 8th generation of Ford thunderbird along with the 5th Generation Mercury Cougar XR-7. These two cars were almost identical and it was difficult to them apart from a distance. These cars were part of Ford’s attempt to downsize their vehicle line up in order to get in line with Federal CAFÉ requirements.
They were both rear wheel drive cars built on an extended Foxbody platform. So we had a smaller more efficient Thunderbird and Cougar. At launch they were met with a considerable amount of criticism from both the automotive press and the American Buying public and that translated into much lower sales numbers.
But was this criticism warranted? Were these cars really that bad?
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Thanks for watching and a HUGE thank you to my subscribers. It's nice when someone appreciates your work!
I always look forward to seeing what you’ve got next. Great behind the scenes work Tony
Well said, I love his work for the same reason. Professional and informative.
In November 1979, after a drunk driver had rear-ended and totaled my '70 Lincoln Continental, I went in search of a new car. At a Ford dealership in Tulsa, all the 1980 models were on the front lots - and I hated them. The Thunderbird looked like a gussied up Ford Fairmont Futura. On the back lot, I found a dark blue '79 T-Bird, brand new but damaged in transit with a bent rear bumper. I bought the '79 T-Bird, after stipulating that the dealership correct the rear bumper. That car turned out to be one of my favorite cars - wish I still had it.
I know people who owned these models. I rode in a loaded Cougar XR7 with digital gauges and keyless entry decades ago from this generation. I preferred the looks of the Cougar to the Thunderbird. They were under powered. The 302 V8 got upgrades years later. The aero Bird and Cougar arrived on time in 1983. Ford never looked back. These cars had too much Fox car look and parts. You could see it. The buyers were not slow. It is interesting as GM cars did not have digital gauges in its cars to that degree yet, but it was coming. That keyless entry showed up on the Buick Riviera when it was downsized in 1986. Thank you for the footage as well. This is a lot of effort in a video.
I remember Erin Gray from TV show Buck Roger’s in the 25 th century , Thunder Bird look nicer .
Yes, yes they were that bad.
I knew a girl who was given a new 1981 for her birthday. It was a generous gift for sure, but man-oh-man we razzed her endlessly...... as I recall, by 1984, the car was gone.
These cars were works of art in previous iterations, at this point they were blocks with no style to speak of, how often do you see these restored or even on the road?
I actually liked these cars as the previous models were very large on the outside but small on the inside .
After watching your video, I see what you mean if the badges were removed,they all look similar.
Well about this same era Chrysler would put out the K car variants and there were so many of them that they took the idea to new heights.
Thanks for the memory and
Stay well
I thought these versions were attractive, but it was a new decade and they were basically downsized versions of the big selling 77-78's they replaced. The rear end was too big and awkward
looking, from the back it looked like a box on table legs. It's amazing how fast they were replaced in 1983!
When I saw the 80 tbirds I was definitely not impressed to me it reminded me of the 67 tbirds and what a boat they looked like.
I wasn't a fan back then, but I have to be honest, if I came across one today in good condition, I'd jump right on it. But then again, I had an 82 Granada 2-door that I did a Mustang 5.0 swap on, so I might not be the best to judge...
Interesting to go back and see "period" features, and how bad the industry was. 115 HP? 0 to 60 in 10 minutes. 😂
I always thought it was tacky that Ford didn't conceal the windshield wiper blades! Not even on the Lincoln Continental that came out on this Fairmont chassis.
Now at age 44, with the right attitude they could be cougars 🙃
I've always been a big fan of the "3 box" design, however, these cars, with their exaggerated styling cues, and poor design language make it difficult to remain loyal.
I liked the Cougar over the T-bird from this generation.
Were they that BAD? Hell, look at 'em!
1/4 mile time of 20 seconds @ 67 mph. YIKES!!!!! 😬😬😬🙄🙄
After owning a '79 Cougar XR7, the '80 was a huge let down. They were just ugly in comparison.
Awesome video, THANKS!
Fairmontbird