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Topic: Chicago Auto Show pics of Thunderbirds and Cougars 1983-85 (Read 1865 times) previous topic - next topic

Chicago Auto Show pics of Thunderbirds and Cougars 1983-85















1983 FORD THUNDERBIRD HERITAGE 5.0
2008 SAAB 9-7X AERO 6.0 (LS2) 1 0f 554 Made
2011 FORD FLEX SEL Family Hauler

Chicago Auto Show pics of Thunderbirds and Cougars 1983-85

Reply #1 –
That's really cool!  I really like the pic with the 3rd gen Camaro's across the isle.  I remember smoking one of my buddies IROC-Z's (305/auto) on a regular basis with my 'bird.
'88 'bird, 10.9:1 306 w/TFS top end, forged rods/pistons, T-5 swap & bunch of other stuff, 1-family owned, had it since ‘98, 5.0tbrd88 on Instagram and YouTube

Chicago Auto Show pics of Thunderbirds and Cougars 1983-85

Reply #2 –
Some great shots! 

Most people don't remember (and some on this board might not have been born yet :-)), the '83 Thunderbird and Cougar put Ford on the MAP as the country was coming out of a rescession that bottomed in 1982 (which was a bit worse than the recession just past).  The designs were considered revolutionary, drawing huge crowds at it's introduction as well as huge sales figures.  The hype was incredible, after all they were Aerodymanic!  To put in perspective why they were so heralded, google any car from 1980; wasn't much out there that wasn't ugly.  The integrated 5 MPH bumpers made a massive difference, no more big ugly add ons that didn't fit the cars. 

I was pretty taken with them at the time, and it's why I have one now!

Chicago Auto Show pics of Thunderbirds and Cougars 1983-85

Reply #3 –
Nice pictures! I go to the Chicago Auto Show every year. BTW I was 3 years old in 1988 so I never say any of these cars new at the show ;).
88 Thunderbird LX: 306, Edelbrock Performer heads, Comp 266HR cam, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, bunch of other stuff.

Chicago Auto Show pics of Thunderbirds and Cougars 1983-85

Reply #4 –
Did you guy's see Eric,in that pic?
Old Grey Cat to this.88 Cat, 5.0 HO, CW mounts, mass air, CI custom cam, afr165's, Tmoss worked cobra intake, BBK shorty's,off road h pipe, magnaflow ex. T-5,spec stage 2 clutch, 8.8 373 TC trac loc, che ajustables with bullits on the rear. 11" brakes up front. +

Chicago Auto Show pics of Thunderbirds and Cougars 1983-85

Reply #5 –
Quote from: 86T-bird;390240
Some great shots! 

Most people don't remember (and some on this board might not have been born yet :-)), the '83 Thunderbird and Cougar put Ford on the MAP as the country was coming out of a rescession that bottomed in 1982 (which was a bit worse than the recession just past).  The designs were considered revolutionary, drawing huge crowds at it's introduction as well as huge sales figures.  The hype was incredible, after all they were Aerodymanic!  To put in perspective why they were so heralded, google any car from 1980; wasn't much out there that wasn't ugly.  The integrated 5 MPH bumpers made a massive difference, no more big ugly add ons that didn't fit the cars. 

I was pretty taken with them at the time, and it's why I have one now!


+1 on the pictures, they are great!  I'd like to have that carpet with the big 83 for my garage. :hick:

Regarding how radical the 83 design was...

http://www.foxtbirdcougarforums.com/showthread.php?25246-Original-cars-owners-documentation&p=380433#post380433

:D
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