1996 Ford Thunderbird LX

1996 Ford Thunderbird LX Tenth generation Thunderbirds were ubiquitous. Between 1989 and 1997, more than 1.5 million Thunderbird, (and Mercury Cougars), were produced. Maintaining much of the shape of the previous generation but rounding more corners, adding length and independent suspension resulted in a successful run and a popular commuter car for the masses.    For consignment, a 1996 Ford Thunderbird LX with a title verified 108,131 actual miles. MotorTrend wrote in '96, The biggest change to the rear drive Thunderbird line for '96 is the cancellation of the slow selling Thunderbird SC and its 3.8 liter 230 horse OHV supercharged V6. This leaves the Thunderbird LX as the sole model choice and the 4.6 liter as the fastest Thunderbird variant.  Exterior Available only in '96 and '97, this car wears two stage Pacific Green Metallic paint and it is in very nice condition, accented here with a two line pinstripe that hugs the shoulder line under the rounded edges of the wind defying profile. A sporty 4.6 High Performance emblem has been added to each front fender and the red simply pops off the green with contrast and the added chrome 15-inch Super Coupe wheels are a nice bit of aesthetic cred. Telltale Thunderbird emblems on the flush tail lights confirm identification if someone misses the scripted call out on the decklid and two exhaust tips, split wide, peak out from under the bumper cover. One area of some light scratches is the only imperfection we find on this well preserved Thunderbird.  Interior Saddle is the inside palette beginning on the door panels, classic Ford for this era in molded plastic with black switchgear backing, cloth inserts, and embedded speaker and both doors present as fresh. Well padded saddle velour bucket seats reside in the front with cloth inserts that match the door and all of them, including the back, belie the mileage on this car. A sporty steering wheel fronts the purposeful instrument cluster ahead, simple and contained behind plexiglass, while the brown dash also takes in the A/C panel and AM/FM/CD aftermarket radio in the center and its slight cant towards the driver. Our shifter is contained in the center console over nice tan carpet and under a foam backed headliner that is fully intact. Gray cloth cloaked panels finish the trunk which like the rest of the interior, presents cleanly.   Drivetrain The clean theme continues under the hood where we find the 4.6 liter SOHC V8, fuel injected and producing 205 horsepower. It's a crowded bay to be sure, and accented with red ignition wires and a 4.6 emblem. Behind it, a 4R70W 4-speed automatic transmission sending power to the rear axle with 3.27 gears.  Undercarriage Very clean and dry underneath with only the typical and minimal surface rust. Dual exhaust meets at a FlowMaster muffler then exits as one before splitting out back to split the tips. Power brakes are onboard as front disc and rear drum and suspension consists of Macpherson struts up front and coil spring for the independent rear.   Drive-Ability Comfortable and nicely ergonomic, this interior is a nice place to be with pleasing colors and good visibility through the tinted glass. The engine provides descent power and acceleration and smooth operation and the benefits of rear wheel drive. We note the horn, driver's power window, odometer and trip odometer are not working but all other functions afforded the pilot of this Thunderbird work as intended. While Classic Auto Mall represents that these functions were working at the time of our test drive, we cannot guarantee these functions will be working at the time of your purchase. Think of it as a luxury Mustang because that's essentially what we have here. All signs indicate this one's been pampered and handles well on the road. You can save it for Radwood if you want, or drive it every day and enjoy it. That big bird in the grille opening is a legendary icon of the automotive world, and now a