The Ford family car that sliced through the wind thanks to its turbocharged powertrain under its hood

Back in the 1980s, if you lusted after a turbocharged SVO Mustang but needed a larger, family-oriented car, the Ford Thunderbird Turbo Coupe was the car for you.

Besides its turbocharged engine, it had all the goodies needed to keep your family safe on the road such as ABS four-wheel disc brakes and a traction-lock differential.

As shown here, the 1987 model featured sleeker styling that was far more aerodynamic than previous models. Among the many features unique to the Turbo Coupe were a pair of hood scoops and special 16-inch alloy wheels shod with P225/60VR16 Goodyear tires. But below the hood was where all the magic was hidden.

The inline-four-cylinder engine was designed by Ford’s Special Vehicle Operations and featured a crossflow cylinder head, an intercooled Garrett AIResearch turbocharger that was designed to reduce turbo lag, thus providing the Thunderbird with excellent response throughout the engine’s rev range. With its multi-point electronic fuel injection, high-flow manifolds and dual exhausts, this 2.3-liter overhead engine developed 190 horsepower at 4,600 RPM and 240-ft.lbs. of torque at only 3,400 RPM.

Ford was correct when they called the Turbo Coupe a “World Class Performance Car,” and the “Turbo Coupe is, without a doubt, the flagship of the Thunderbird fleet.”