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21 - Friday, February 3, 1989 - North Shore News

Photo submitiod

Thunderbird has sleek,
new look for ’89

THUNDERBIRD, WHICH led the way for Ford’s popular
‘aero look’ in 1983, sets a new standard in aerodynamic

styling with a sleek, all-new 1989 design.

“Thunderbird has always been
the image leader in the mid-
specialty market segment, and this
new-from-the-ground-up 1989

Ted Exes

MARLENE BUCK, Dave Buck
Ford Sates Ltd.

"Bird is designed to maintain that
position,”’ said Jack G. Clissold,
vice president, sales and market-
ing. ‘‘The new aerodynamic look
and exceptional ride-and-handling
characteristics set it apart from the
crowd.’”*

Thunderbird’s aerodynamic new
shape produces an air-drag coeffi-
cient of 0.31 for standard and LX
models, and 0.35 for the high per-
formance Super Coupe. More than
700 hours of wind-tunnel testing
contributed to reduced passenger-
compartment wind noise and im-
proved stability and handling in
curves.

The 1989 Thunderbird’s new
platform gives the car a longer,
wider stance. The wheelbase is
228mm (nine inches) longer than
the 1988 model, and the front and
tear tread widths have been in-
creased 83mm (3.3 inches) and
43mm (1.7. inches), respectively,
for improved ride and handling.

A_ new, four-wheel, fully in-
dependent suspension system —
typically available only on much
more expensive cars — further
enhances Thunderbird’s ride-and-
handling characteristics.

Inside, every front- and rear-seat
space measurement has been in-
creased. Most notably, Thunder-
bird’s rear-seat hip and shoulder
room have been increased by
180mm (7.1! inches) and 99mm (3.9
inches), respectively, making the
back seat more comfortable for
three passengers. Overall,
Thunderbird'’s passenger volume
has been increased by 269 litres
(9.5 cubic feet) over last year’s
model.

The rear-wheel-drive Thunder-
bird’s standard and LX models in-
clude: a 3.8-litre V-6 engine with
sequential multi-port electronic
fuel injection; a four-speed
automatic overdrive transmission;
tinted glass; a long spindle short-
and long-arm front suspension for
improved handling; power rack-
and-pinion steering (speed-sensitive
on LX and Super Coupe); interval

Phote submitted

THUNDERBIRD'’S new shape produces an air drag coefficient of 0.31.

windshield wipers and heavy duty
battery.

Thunderbird LX features in-
clude an electronic insteument
cluster; AM/FM stereo radio with
cassette player; air conditioning;
speed control; tilt-steering; vehicle
maintenance monitor; a leather-
wrapped steering wheel; six-way
power driver’s seat; and power
lock group.

Thunderbird Super Coupe is
powered by a  210-horsepower

supercharged 3.8-litre V-6 wigine
with intercooler, electronic fuel in-
jection and dual exhausts. Also
standard are a five-speed sanual
transmission; anti-lock braking
system with four-wheel disc
brakes; handling suspension with
automatic ride control; Traction-
Lok rear axle; 406raui (16-inch)
cast aluminur: wheels: perfor-
mance tires; air conditioning; per-

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