1979 Ford Thunderbird Base
Unverified
All photo credits
- Photo: 1979 Ford Thunderbird, front right, 09-11-2022 by MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: Ford Thunderbird (Les chauds vendredis '12) by Bull-Doser at English Wikipedia, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: Ford Thunderbird (2469933366) by dave_7 from Lethbridge, Canada, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 1979 Ford Thunderbird, rear right, 09-11-2022 by MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 1978 Ford Thunderbird in Cream, Rear Right, 04-20-2022 by Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The 1979 Ford Thunderbird Base is a 130-hp 4.9-liter V8 with a 3-speed automatic and rear-wheel drive.
It makes 130 horsepower.
The Thunderbird measures 217.7 inches long on a 114.0-inch wheelbase.
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Vehicle | |
| Body Type | Coupe |
| Powertrain | Gas |
| Engine | |
| Engine Type | 4.9L V8 OHV |
| Displacement | 4.9 L |
| Horsepower | 130 hp |
| Valvetrain | OHV, 2 valves/cylinder |
| Injection Type | 2-barrel carburetor |
| Drivetrain | |
| Drive Type | RWD |
| Transmission | |
| Transmission | 3-speed automatic |
| Dimensions & Weight | |
| Length | 217.7 in |
| Width | 78.5 in |
| Height | 52.6 in |
| Wheelbase | 114 in |
Similar cars
Rivals to the 1979 Ford Thunderbird Base with similar size, power and price from around the same years.
Safety & Recalls
NCAP safety ratings
Not crash-tested by NHTSA for this model year.
Recalls
4 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 1979 Ford THUNDERBIRD. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Mar 6, 2008 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
INTERCONTINENTAL AUTO PARTS IS RECALLING 1,937 FUEL FILTERS, P/NOS ALG 44/1 AND PUROLATOR F10024, SHIPPED BETWEEN JANUARY 14 AND FEBRUARY 13, 2008, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE FILTER'S OUTLET CAP MAY NOT BE SECURELY CRIMPED TO THE HOUSING. THIS COULD RESULT IN A SEPARATION OF FILTER'S OUTLET CAP FROM THE HOUSING.
Consequence: IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, A NO START CONDITION MAY RESULT AND FUEL MAY BE PUMPED ONTO THE GROUND. IF THIS OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, THE ENGINE MAY STOP DUE TO INADEQUATE FUEL SUPPLY. IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WERE PRESENT, FUEL LEAKAGE MAY RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: INTERCONTINENTAL WILL REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING MARCH 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT INTERCONTINENTAL AT 800-451-2593.
NHTSA campaign 08E019000
May 15, 1979 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
THE INVOLVED VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH BRAKE PUSH-ROD TO BRAKE PEDAL RETAINING PINS WHICH WERE NOT HEAT-TREATED AS SPECIFIED. THIS COULD ALLOW THE BRAKE PEDAL TO BECOME DISENGAGED FROM THE PUSH-ROD.
Remedy: DEALER WILL REPLACE THE SUSPECT BRAKE RETAINING PIN.
NHTSA campaign 79V117000
Jan 9, 1979 · SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY
THE INVOLVED VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH INCORRECT WELD NUTS THAT ATTACH THE REAR PORTION OF THE FRONT OUTBOARD SEAT TRACK TO THE FLOOR PAN. THE INCORRECT NUTS HAVE AN OVERSIZE DIAMETER AND THREAD, AND UPON FRONT SEAT TRACK ANCHOR BOLT INSTALLATION, THE THREADS MAY HAVE BEEN STRIPPED.
Remedy: THE DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPAIR ANY STRIPPED WELD NUTS AND INSTALL LARGER SIZE BOLTS TO ANCHOR THE SEAT TRACK TO THE FLOOR AT NO COST TO OWNER.
NHTSA campaign 79V013000
Dec 21, 1978 · STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT SECTOR
THE STEERING GEARS ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED SECTOR SHAFTS FROM WHICH THE THREADED PORTIONS OF THE SHAFTS MAY FRACTURE AND SEPARATE. SHOULD THE SECTOR SHAFT FRACTURE, THE PITMAN ARM MAY DISENGAGE FROM THE SPLINED PORTION OF THE SECTOR SHAFT.
Remedy: THE DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY OR INSTALL A NEW SECTOR SHAFT IN THE STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY.
NHTSA campaign 78V269000
2 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 1979 Ford THUNDERBIRD
Owner Complaints
2 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1979 Ford THUNDERBIRD. See all on nhtsa.gov
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
| Fuel System | 1 |
| Gasoline | 1 |
Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.
Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 1979 FORD THUNDERBIRD. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.