1985 Ford Thunderbird Reviews, Pricing & Specs
Overview
The 1985 Ford Thunderbird was offered in a special 30th Anniversary Edition, with distinctive blue paint, jazzy racing stripes, and the 5.0...
The 1985 Ford Thunderbird was offered in a special 30th Anniversary Edition, with distinctive blue paint, jazzy racing stripes, and the 5.0 liter Windsor V-8 engine. This special 'Aero Bird' was a much more fitting inheritor of the T-Bird mystique than some of its disappointing 'Box Bird' predecessors of the early 1980s!
Regular trim offerings for the '85 Thunderbird included the Heritage, FILA, Elan, and Turbo Coupe. The interior of the 1985 Thunderbird saw a pretty significant redesign, while the exterior got a few tweaks here and there, including yet another new look for the front grille and rear taillights.
Under the hood, the '85 Ford Thunderbird shipped off the line with the 3.8 liter Essex V-6, clocking at 110 horsepower; an upgrade to the 5.0 liter Windsor V8 brought 140 horsepower. As for the Turbo Coupe's turbocharged 4-cylinder, a reengineering brought that all the way up to a 155-horsepower output.
The mid-eighties 'Aero Birds' had finally found that sweet spot in the automotive market of the day. With the look and feel of a European-style sport performance car, the comfort and options range of a luxury vehicle, and the fuel efficiency of a family sedan, the 1985 Ford Thunderbird was an easy sell. You'll still find some of these beauties on the streets today: their low-to-the-ground styling and solid construction make them favorites with the tuner and low-rider crowd.
What owners say
"Overall, owners of the 1985 Ford Thunderbird rave about its performance, speed, and comfort. Many drivers appreciate the car's ability to corner well and its impressive acceleration. The spacious and comfortable seating is also a highlight. However, some owners expressed concerns about rust forming at the bottom of the doors, which seems to be a common issue. Overall, drivers feel this car is fun to drive and offers a great experience."
When I got this car it was a regular 6 cyl Thunderbird, blue outside and blue inside. Not very imaginative, eh? I'd dreamed of having a racecar for a long time, as a kid I went to the local track with my dad, and I guess that's where it began. I was running in SCCA SOLO events, and this car was my chance. I stripped the car inside, put in a racing seat and a 5 point seat belt, I had set of gauges installed, an MSD box, and a new distributer. I had the engine rebuilt, had it bored 40 over and fitted with a 4bbl carb. The car was an automatic when I bought and that had to go, the trouble was, Ford never mated a 5 spd to the V-6 in a Thunderbird. But they did in the Mustang (whew). So I had the clutch and tranny installed with the newly refreshed V-6. I got new 5 lug rotors for the front and got new 5 lug axles for the rear. The factory car had 4 lug wheels. I had the frame tied, new shorter springs, for that low down stable feel, headers and duel exhaust. I never did that great running the car, but that wasn't the car's fault and it was a hell of a lot of fun!
January 13, 2008This is a great car. My first was an 84 and I loved it. This one is an anniversary edition with a 5.0L HO 5-speed. Fun to drive and turns heads. Only thing I did not like about these cars was the rust which always forms at the bottom of the doors.
December 3, 2009Takes corners like a dream, quick off the line and high max speed. The '85 T-Bird is a great ride and if you can get your hands on one, DO IT!!. Overall its a great car and has tons of front leg room and enough rear leg room for most people.
September 24, 2007What owners say
When I got this car it was a regular 6 cyl Thunderbird, blue outside and blue inside. Not very imaginative, eh? I'd dreamed of having a racecar for a long time, as a kid I went to the local track with my dad, and I guess that's where it began. I was running in SCCA SOLO events, and this car was my chance. I stripped the car inside, put in a racing seat and a 5 point seat belt, I had set of gauges installed, an MSD box, and a new distributer. I had the engine rebuilt, had it bored 40 over and fitted with a 4bbl carb. The car was an automatic when I bought and that had to go, the trouble was, Ford never mated a 5 spd to the V-6 in a Thunderbird. But they did in the Mustang (whew). So I had the clutch and tranny installed with the newly refreshed V-6. I got new 5 lug rotors for the front and got new 5 lug axles for the rear. The factory car had 4 lug wheels. I had the frame tied, new shorter springs, for that low down stable feel, headers and duel exhaust. I never did that great running the car, but that wasn't the car's fault and it was a hell of a lot of fun!
January 13, 2008This is a great car. My first was an 84 and I loved it. This one is an anniversary edition with a 5.0L HO 5-speed. Fun to drive and turns heads. Only thing I did not like about these cars was the rust which always forms at the bottom of the doors.
December 3, 2009Takes corners like a dream, quick off the line and high max speed. The '85 T-Bird is a great ride and if you can get your hands on one, DO IT!!. Overall its a great car and has tons of front leg room and enough rear leg room for most people.
September 24, 2007Honestly, I knew what I was buying when I bought it. A well engineered, top of the line, fully loaded, Ford Thunderbird Elan. I got what I expected when I bought it andI knew I would have it for at least twenty years . . . barring any accidents, right? This car will make a great car for an enthusiast or serious collector.
October 21, 2011i have a ford thunderbird elan 5.0 and this is the best ford i have ever driven ive put well over 30000 miles in the 2 years ive had it
September 7, 2007A sweet car. 8 way power bucket seats with lumbar support. You didn't sit in these seats, you were warmly welcomed, enveloped, and gently held in place. You felt as if the seat was happy holding you, lol. I made some changes on this car, FMS springs, intake, rotors, new 5 lug axles, short throw shifter, and a chip. Fun car. A 4 cyl that ran a 15.063 at the drag strip and beat an 8 cyl Corvette in the process.
January 13, 2008302 w/rv cam dual exhaust out of the side in front of rear wheels custom rims tinted windows performance is great has awesome acceleration great car to drive did many long distant trips in this car get 21 mpg
March 22, 2011It was a fun car while I had it and I miss it, but I know its in good hands. It was a beauty for an older car and I got allot of comments for it even though it was not in mint condition.
May 18, 2008Trims & specs
Base MSRP $12,780 | Seating 5 |
Engine N/A | Cargo Capacity N/A |
Combined MPG N/A | Drivetrain N/A |
Base MSRP $11,113 | Seating 5 |
Engine N/A | Cargo Capacity N/A |
Combined MPG N/A | Drivetrain N/A |
Base MSRP N/A | Seating N/A |
Engine N/A | Cargo Capacity N/A |
Combined MPG N/A | Drivetrain N/A |
Base MSRP $14,229 | Seating 5 |
Engine N/A | Cargo Capacity N/A |
Combined MPG N/A | Drivetrain N/A |
Base MSRP $15,838 | Seating 5 |
Engine N/A | Cargo Capacity N/A |
Combined MPG N/A | Drivetrain N/A |
