hi i was wondering if anyone knows about the elan ford thunderbirds in the mid 80's. i came across a old man that is trying to get it off his yard because he can't drive it anymore and i have to wait till his son comes around to get the keys to see whats under the hood. does anyone know what you could get in them and are these rare birds? i've asked plenty friends that thought they were ford nuts and have no clue what the heck i'm talking about or know what a elan tbird is. i've known about them but just don't have any clue on the engine options they came with or are they a rare bird indeed? if anyone knows anything about them please let me know or email me at jbaeza81@yahoo.com. i would truly appreciate the help
The Elan would have been the LX 'Bird before the LX 'Bird existed. There were three versions of 84-86 Birds: Base, Elan and TC (there was also a Fila and a 30th anniversary, but I'm talking mainstream models, and in '83 there was no Elan but there was a Heritage). In '87 the Elan was replaced with the LX. They're not rare by any measure (and may even be more common than base 'Birds, much like the LS Cougar was probably more common than GS or Base models).
They could be had with the 3.8 or 5.0 and were generally slightly more optioned up than base models would be (nicer seat materials, etc).
:bowdown: thank you for replying thunder chicken. that really helped me out. i didn't know much about them but i knew of them. now i know about them more.