Ford · 1966–1971

Ford Thunderbird (fifth generation)

The fifth generation Ford Thunderbird is a large personal luxury car series, produced by Ford for the 1967–1971 model years. This fifth generation saw the second major change of direction for the Thunderbird. The Thunderbird had fundamentally remained the same in concept through 1966, although the design had been revised twice. The debut of the Ford Mustang in early 1964, and subsequent introduction of the larger, more upmarket Mercury Cougar to compete with the similarly larger Dodge Charger, began to erode the Thunderbird sales. This drove Ford engineers to increase the vehicle's size yet again, with Ford even introducing four-door Thunderbird Landaus.

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Predecessor: Ford Thunderbird fourth generation · Successor: Ford Thunderbird (sixth generation)

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History

For 1967 the Thunderbird would be a larger car, moving it closer to Lincoln as the company chose to emphasize the "luxury" part of the "personal luxury car" designation. Ford decided to abandon the Thunderbird's typical unibody construction for this larger car, turning to a body-on-frame method with sophisticated rubber mountings between the two to improve noise/vibration characteristics and reduce weight by a small margin. An overhead console (first appearing on the previous years Town Landau) containing illuminated indicators for emergency flasher use, low-fuel warning, door-ajar and seat-belt reminder light returned in a revised format. The listed retail price of the two-door Landau coupe was US$4,704 ($45,420 in 2025 dollars). The convertible, increasingly a slow seller, was dropped in favor of a four-door model that was 2.5 in (6.3 cm) stretched, featuring suicide doors, a signature feature of the Lincoln Continental four-door sedans of that era. It remained in the lineup through 1971 but never generated substantial sales. The 1967 design was radically different from previous Thunderbirds. Ford's stylists delivered a radical shape that in many ways anticipated the styling trends of the next five years. A gaping wide "fishmouth" front grille that incorporated hidden headlights was the most obvious new feature. The look was enhanced by the flush-fitting front bumper incorporating the bottom "lip" of the "mouth". The sides were the barrel-like style that was very popular during this period. The belt line kicked up "coke-bottle" style after the rear windows, again a styling trait that would prove ubiquitous. Large C-pillars (and a small "formal" rear window on the 4-door) meant poor rear visibility but this was in line with the fashion of the time. The taillights spa

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Specifications

Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Layout: Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive
name: Ford Thunderbird, Fifth generation
Production: 1966−1971
Model years: 1967−1971
Class: Personal luxury car
Assembly: United States: Wixom Assembly Plant, Wixom, Michigan
Predecessor: Ford Thunderbird (fourth generation)
Successor: Ford Thunderbird (sixth generation)
Transmission: 3-speed Cruise-o-Matic automatic
Body style: 2-door hardtop coupe, 2-door landau, 4-door pillared hardtop landau sedan
Engine: 390 cuin FE V8, 428 cuin FE V8, 429 cuin 385 V8
Wheelbase: 2-door models: 115 in , 4-door Landau: 117.2 in (2977 mm)
Length: 2-door models: 206.9 in, 4-door Landau: 209.4 in
Related: Continental Mark III