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Thunderbird II specs

Ford Thunderbird II 430 MEL V8 Coupe

261 kW355 PS350 hp664 Nm1959–1960

petrol · Coupe

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Ford Thunderbird II
Photo: Greg Gjerdingen from Willmar, USA / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Power
261 kW 355 PS · 350 hp
Torque
664 Nm 490 lb-ft
Kerb weight
1,795 kg
Length
5,217 mm

Built 1959–1960, the Ford Thunderbird II 7.0 430 MEL V8 coupe develops 261 kW (355 PS) and 664 Nm of torque from a 7.0-litre eight-cylinder petrol engine. The Thunderbird II 7.0 430 MEL V8 has rear-wheel drive.

In a Thunderbird II line-up of 2 versions, the Thunderbird II 7.0 430 MEL V8 tops the power chart, 17% above the entry 5.8 352 FE V8 (224 kW). The Thunderbird II 7.0 430 MEL V8 is also the best on power-to-weight (198 PS per tonne). On paper, it tips the scales at 1,795 kg.

Where the Thunderbird II 7.0 430 MEL V8 stands out

  • Most powerful version of the Thunderbird II: 261 kW (355 PS)
  • Best power-to-weight in the range: 198 PS per tonne

Engine

FuelPetrol
Displacement7,045 cm³ 7.0 l · 430 cu in
Cylinders8
Power261 kW 355 PS · 350 hp
Torque664 Nm 490 lb-ft
DriveRear-wheel drive

Dimensions and weight

Length5,217 mm 205.4 in
Width1,956 mm 77.0 in
Wheelbase2,845 mm 112.0 in
Kerb weight1,795 kg 3,957 lb

Production

Body typeCoupe
Years1959–1960
GenerationThunderbird II (1958–1960)

All Thunderbird II versions All Ford spec sheets

Data sources

Data checked by an editor against the sources below.

Data: 12 of 25 fields · 1 source · data changed 23 Oct 2026

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