For some reason, I’m always interested in the last year of a “failed” model. Usually, not much gets changed, as the manufacturer’s hopes have already been dashed. For Labor Day 2025, we’ll cover the fruits of Ford’s labors for the 1982 model year.
“Three distinctive series, each built to be driven with pride.”
For 1982, Ford’s Thunderbird personal luxury coupe added a 3.8 liter V6 option, and removed the 4.9 liter V8 option. A Tripminder trip computer was a new option, and the gas tank size increased to 21 gallons. Otherwise, Ford changed little besides colors and trims.
Ford engine availability and power ratings were still in decline in 1982—except if you were purchasing a Mustang. The Thunderbird’s standard powertrain was the Thriftpower Six 87 bhp 3.3 liter/200 ci inline six with a one-barrel carburetor paired with a SelectShift three-speed automatic transmission. Powertrain upgrades were available: buyers could specify the aforementioned Essex 112 bhp 3.8 liter/232 ci V6 with a two-barrel carburetor or the Windsor 120 bhp 4.2 liter/255 ci V8 with a Motorcraft two-barrel carburetor. Both of the optional engines cost $241.
The Thunderbird was a notably different car depending on the engine choice. Looking at the table, it’s hard not to believe that the new Essex engine was the winner—almost as quick as the Windsor V8, and with notably better fuel mileage than either the inline six or the V8.
| Thriftpower Six (3.3 liter inline six) | Essex (3.8 liter V6) | Windsor (4.2 liter V8) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0-60 mph (approximate) | 17.3 seconds | 13.2 seconds | 12.6 seconds |
| Fuel mileage (1982 standards) | 17 city/24 highway | 19 city/30 highway | 17 city/26 highway |
| Range (10% fuel reserve) | 315 to 345 miles | 375 to 415 miles | 330 to 365 miles |
Standard exterior and mechanical equipment on the $8,492 base Thunderbird (about $29,400 in today’s dollars) included concealed rectangular halogen headlamps, variable ratio power rack and pinion steering, power front disc/rear drum brakes, full wheel covers, and P-metric white sidewall steel-belted radial ply tires. Inside, a Flight bench seat in fine-ribbed cloth and vinyl trim, a day/night inside mirror, a trip odometer, a quartz electric clock, and an AM radio were included.
Packages, Options, & Production Numbers
Ford continued to decontent the $9,703 Town Landau (approximately $33,600 now), so its price was closer to the base Thunderbird compared to 1980. Moving up still added Luxury wheel covers, dual remote control mirrors, diagnostic warning lights, interval windshield wipers, a tilt steering wheel, and an AM/FM stereo radio. The Luxury vinyl roof—a padded rear half vinyl roof with a color-coordinated wrapover band and coach lamps—was also standard on the Town Landau. Finally, the included Interior Decor Group added cloth covered head restraints (vinyl if vinyl trim was purchased), Decor door trim panels with assist straps, and a choice of either split bench seats with dual recliners in higher level knit cloth fabric or bucket seats with console.
For the second year, the Heritage edition was the top-of-the-line Thunderbird ($12,472 then, $43,100 now). Exterior and mechanical features the Heritage edition added over the Town Landau included front cornering lamps, complete tinted glass, rocker panel moldings, the 3.8 liter V6 engine, an Automatic Overdrive transmission, and wire wheel covers. Inside, the Heritage edition included a 6-way power driver’s seat, an electronic instrument cluster, air conditioning with manual controls, the power lock group, and an AM/FM stereo search radio.
Every Heritage edition buyer also got a padded rear half vinyl roof with a brushed aluminum wrapover band, coach lamps, and a frenched backlight. They also received the Interior Luxury Group, which included split bench seats with dual recliners in crushed velour cloth, cloth covered head restraints, a Luxury steering wheel, an automated parking brake release, a right hand visor illuminated vanity mirror, 18-oz floor carpeting, burled rosewood woodtone instrument and door panel appliques, the Light Group (dual beam map light, instrument panel courtesy lights, and engine compartment light), power side windows, interval windshield wipers, diagnostic warning lights, an electronic digital clock, and Luxury luggage compartment trim.
Individual options included a flip-up open-air roof ($276), metallic glow paint ($80), a Tu-Tone paint/tape treatment ($128-206), the Keyless Entry System ($319), Recaro bucket seats with a console ($523/$405/$222 depending on series), the SelectAire conditioner with automatic temperature control ($754 for all but the Heritage, which charged $78), and the Tripminder trip computer ($215-261). Nine different audio selections were available, ranging up to an electronic AM/FM stereo search radio with a cassette tape player and the Dolby noise reduction system ($318/$233/$87), which could be paired with the Premium Sound System ($133-187).
Ford sold 45,142 Thunderbirds in the 1982 model year, which was the lowest number since 1975. It was handily outsold by all four of the mid-size GM coupes: Buick Regal, Chevrolet Monte Carlo, Oldsmobile Cutlass, and Pontiac Grand Prix. It would take the next Thunderbird design in 1983 to redress this balance.
The View From 2025
According to Hagerty’s valuation tools, a 1982 Thunderbird with the V8 in #1/Concours condition is $17,400, with a far more typical #3/Good “normal” Thunderbird with the six going for $6,500. This generation of Thunderbirds maintains a presence in the Hemmings Motor News classifieds, on eBay Motors, and on Bring a Trailer, but you see very few 1982 examples. As I update this blog entry in October 2025, there’s a Silver Metallic 1980 with gray cloth seats and the 255 ci V8 on Hemmings, showing 73,000 miles and asking $11,500.
Make mine the extra-cost Medium Blue Glow, please.
Other eighties Thunderbirds I have written about include the 1980 coupe, the 1983 Turbo Coupe, and the 1987 standard coupe.
Last updated October 2025.
Eighties Cars 