Not much change was made for the 1986 Ford Thunderbird model year. There were a few minor exterior tweaks, most notably the addition of a third brake light. The most significant change was under the hood, with the 5.0 liter V-8 engine getting the added power of fuel injection. The entry-level V-6 engine and the Turbo Coupe’s innovative turbocharged four-cylinder remained the same for the '86 Thunderbird.

Trim offerings were the same as the previous year's, with the Heritage, FILA, Elan, and Turbo Coupe available. The interior was stylish, with a European racing feel. Ford hit a good note with its 'Aero Bird' generation: the look and feel combined the sexiness and zip of a classic sport performance car with the plush comfort of a luxury sedan. The '86 Ford Thunderbird had enough muscle to zip around highways and streets, but was streamlined enough not to be a gas guzzler: fuel economy was estimated at 24-30 mpg highway, depending on engine and model.

The 1986 Thunderbird is a good buy, if you can find one out there. Often overlooked in the hoopla that surrounded some of the following year's innovations, the '86 T-Bird is a solid performer loved by tuners and project-car junkies alike.