FORD THUNDERBIRD

2-door 6-seater coupé, 4-door 6-seater saloon.

Sixth generation of Thunderbird 'personal' cars, much larger, more vulgar and less distinctive than originals of the fifties. Four-door cars had 2.5ins longer wheelbase, all had vast V8 engines, from 315bhp to 360bhp (gross), and separate chassis with coil spring front ends. As ever with US cars of this period, wasteful of space and weight (up to 5000lbs!), but status and soft ride were all important.