Ford Thunderbird 1966 Convertible - Thelma & Louise
The movie, Thelma and Louise, featured two female protagonists, who went on an adventure in a fabled convertible and ultimately became wanted fugitives. The 1991 movie has become a cinematic myth not only due to the stellar performances by Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis, but also because of its third lead, the 1966 Ford Thunderbird.
In Thelma and Louise, two women, riding a 1966 Ford Thunderbird, flee from the law after Louise shoots a man who is attempting to assault Thelma during a trip to a fishing camp. During the entire journey, this 1966 Ford Thunderbird plays a central role. The moment where this convertible takes the lead in the movie is notable not for the car’s technical skills, but for what it symbolizes. Typically, legendary vehicle scenes feature extreme high-speed chases and in the movie, Thelma and Louise decide they’d rather die than surrender themselves while surrounded by cops at the edge of the Grand Canyon. Finally, when they realize there is no escape, Thelma says they “keep going” as they speed off the cliff in their Thunderbird.
There were two different engines available for the Ford Thunderbird in 1966. The 3.9-liter FE V8 produced 275 hp and was available with a basic two-barrel carburetor. It generated 427 lb-ft of torque at 2,800 rpm and 315 horsepower at 4,600 rpm. The highest level of performance option was the 4.2-liter FE V8 with 345 horsepower. At 2,800 rpm, the 428 produced 462 ft-lb of torque. The 428-equipped T-Bird uses a C6 dual-range, three-speed automatic transmission. The 390 T-Bird had a three-speed Cruise-O-Matic automatic.
Ford Thunderbird 1966 Convertible - Thelma & Louise
The movie, Thelma and Louise, featured two female protagonists, who went on an adventure in a fabled convertible and ultimately became wanted fugitives. The 1991 movie has become a cinematic myth not only due to the stellar performances by Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis, but also because of its third lead, the 1966 Ford Thunderbird.
In Thelma and Louise, two women, riding a 1966 Ford Thunderbird, flee from the law after Louise shoots a man who is attempting to assault Thelma during a trip to a fishing camp. During the entire journey, this 1966 Ford Thunderbird plays a central role. The moment where this convertible takes the lead in the movie is notable not for the car’s technical skills, but for what it symbolizes. Typically, legendary vehicle scenes feature extreme high-speed chases and in the movie, Thelma and Louise decide they’d rather die than surrender themselves while surrounded by cops at the edge of the Grand Canyon. Finally, when they realize there is no escape, Thelma says they “keep going” as they speed off the cliff in their Thunderbird.
There were two different engines available for the Ford Thunderbird in 1966. The 3.9-liter FE V8 produced 275 hp and was available with a basic two-barrel carburetor. It generated 427 lb-ft of torque at 2,800 rpm and 315 horsepower at 4,600 rpm. The highest level of performance option was the 4.2-liter FE V8 with 345 horsepower. At 2,800 rpm, the 428 produced 462 ft-lb of torque. The 428-equipped T-Bird uses a C6 dual-range, three-speed automatic transmission. The 390 T-Bird had a three-speed Cruise-O-Matic automatic.