World, the 400 was the standard fare in the big Lincolns for 1979.īefore saying goodbye to the seventies, the Thunderbird introduced a couple Which had been standard on the Birds since 1968. TheĤ00 CID engine was original intended to be standard on the 1972 Thunderbird,īut after a few were built it was dropped in favor of the 429 CID engine, Models, to encourage people to buy smaller, more fuel efficient cars. There were also some mid-year price increases on full-sized To keep fuel economy up for the 1979 model year, Ford dropped the big 460ĬID V-8 engine from the Lincoln line, as well as the 400 CID V-8 from the This could get very expensive very quickly, so Ford certainly didn't Under the standard, multiplied by every vehicle built for the domestic That manufacturer must pay a penalty in U.S. If a manufacturer's average fuel economy were to fall below the standard, Steps had to be taken to keep Ford's corporate average up until the new Scheduled to hit the market for the 1980 model year, so some rather drastic Ford's new smaller, more fuel efficient cars was By 1979, the average was bumped up to 19.0 mpg, and Ford MotorĬompany was having a difficult time not dropping below that average due This regulation first applied to vehicles in 1978, when the average wasġ8.0 mpg.

Of the 1973 Arab Oil Embargo and the fuel shortage it caused. Was first enacted by Congress in 1975, and was intended to improve theĪverage fuel economy of vehicles sold in the United States, as a result The Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) regulation for the United States Has been the most popular body style ever, and the Bird will never again We hope to push back from the gate on time, soĭon't delay your purchase of the last mid-sized T-bird of the decade. First class passengers may begin the boarding process immediately at

Lower Bodyside Protection option introduced that added a clear vinylĭecal along bottom of car (on top of paint finish) to better protect againstĪttention all passengers.Thunderbird Flight 1979 is now boarding at Gateħ9. Carburetor on base 302 CID V-8 modified to provide better performanceĦ. Door and ignition locks modified to improve theft protection.ĥ. Electronic voltage regulator introduced as standard equipment.Ĥ. Standard interior upgraded to include fold-down center armrest for frontģ. Spoiler added under front bumper to improve engine cooling and fuelĢ. Style, making it the most popular in the history of the line.ġ. 955,032 Thunderbirds were built during the three year cycle of this body 1979 would be the final year for the Ford LTD II-based mid-sized Thunderbird. (22.0 on standard 351 V-8 California model, 27.5 (16.8 with Inflatable Spare tire)įuel Tank: 21.0 gals.

Note: 5.8L (351 CID) required in California or with High Altitude Emissions System above) Model 87/Style 60H Town Landau $8,994 Weight: 4,104 Built: (incl. Model 87/Style 60H Thunderbird $5,999 Weight: 4,082 Built: (incl. TOP LINE: BODY CODE/MODEL NAME/BASE PRICE 1979 Ford Thunderbird Production Numbers/SpecificationsĬanada: 1,752 (144 built during calendar year 1978)

1979 thunderbird heritage