Counterpoints:
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Rich Ceppos: |
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Jackie
Stewart thinks the T-Bird Turbo is one of the best-handling saloons he's
driven. He told me this during the T-Bird Turbo's debut, which was held at
the Ford engineering department's favorite handling course in Dearborn.
Some top engineers were also there, grinding off rubber just like the rest
of us - and turning impressive lap times. One of them even let on that
final tire selection was influenced heavily by which brand was fastest
around the Dearborn circuit.
When a car company bases some of its engineering decisions on lap times, I know it's got its heart in the right place. This time, there's no reason to snicker at the advertising hype. The minute you slip behind the wheel, you can sense the effort that was poured into this car by people who really know how to drive. Despite their best efforts, the Turbo is still a bit rough around the edges - especially when you push it to its limit - but its overall goodness easily transcends its faults. All things considered, this is one saloon with soul. |
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Jean Lindamood: |
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The
new Thunderbird is Detroit's design triumph of the year. It's a gorgeous,
swoopy show car of an automobile, with looks that promise no-nonsense
driving excitement. Thankfully, the Turbo Coupe version fulfills the
promise of the design. What an engine! That four-cylinder kicks tail, no
matter the gear, no matter the speed.
Ford engineers have also done a fine job of sorting out the suspension, but the steering is woefully over-assisted. Ford is long overdue to get its act together on this count. Other grievances: the stalk-mounted horn, the missing boost gauge, and the long throw to fifth gear. The Turbo Coupe gets gold stars, though, for having electric mirrors that don't trip over their own insides, an accomplishment that has previously eluded our home state's carmakers. The seats are also exemplary. In all, this car is almost a steal at $13,000, but the strong design and chassis beg for the sophisticated refinements that would make the Turbo a threat in the $15-to-$20,000 range. |
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David E. Davis, Jr. |
| I love cars that let you feel the tires working, and the Thunderbird Turbo Coupe is exactly that kind of car. The feeling you get as you bend it into a fast corner is absolutely delicious. It is the best Thunderbird in that nameplate's quarter-century of ups and downs, and it takes its place alongside Pontiac's 6000STE as a truly great American car. It feels so good. The seats are firm and supportive, and the rear seat actually has enough room for standard-size adults. Our test car suffered from excessive engine noise (exhaust boom) at full throttle - as much as a late-model BMW 320i, which we found to be utterly unacceptable - but at least it went fast. The turbo comes in with a rush at the middle of the rev range and really gives you a boost. The bulge in the power curve is right where you can use it when you've decided to blow off some parvenu in a 280-ZX who's blocking the road between your two favorite mountaintops. The Ford Motor Company has built you the slick, fast coupe you've always wanted. |
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