1956 Ford Thunderbird vs. 1979 Ford Crown Victoria
To start off, 1979 Ford Crown Victoria is newer by 23 year(s). Which means there will be less support and parts availability for 1956 Ford Thunderbird. In addition, the cost of maintenance, including insurance, on 1956 Ford Thunderbird would be higher. At 5,112 cc (8 cylinders), 1956 Ford Thunderbird is equipped with a bigger engine. In terms of performance, 1956 Ford Thunderbird (223 HP @ 4600 RPM) has 105 more horse power than 1979 Ford Crown Victoria. (118 HP @ 3800 RPM). In normal driving conditions, 1956 Ford Thunderbird should accelerate faster than 1979 Ford Crown Victoria. With that said, vehicle weight also plays an important factor in acceleration. 1979 Ford Crown Victoria weights approximately 120 kg more than 1956 Ford Thunderbird.
Both vehicles are rear wheel drive (RWD) - it offers better handling in dry conditions; in addition, if you are looking to drift, both vehicles do the job better than front wheel drive vehicles. With that said, do keep in mind that many other factors such as speed and the wear on your tires can also have significant impact on traction and control. 1979 Ford Crown Victoria has automatic transmission and 1956 Ford Thunderbird has manual transmission. 1956 Ford Thunderbird will offer better control over acceleration and deceleration in addition to better fuel efficiency overall. 1979 Ford Crown Victoria will be easier to drive especially in heavy traffic.
Compare all specifications:
| 1956 Ford Thunderbird | 1979 Ford Crown Victoria | |
| Make | Ford | Ford |
| Model | Thunderbird | Crown Victoria |
| Year Released | 1956 | 1979 |
| Engine Position | Front | Front |
| Engine Size | 5112 cc | 4186 cc |
| Engine Cylinders | 8 cylinders | 8 cylinders |
| Engine Type | V | in-line |
| Horse Power | 223 HP | 118 HP |
| Engine RPM | 4600 RPM | 3800 RPM |
| Fuel Type | Gasoline | Gasoline |
| Drive Type | Rear | Rear |
| Transmission Type | Manual | Automatic |
| Number of Doors | 2 doors | 4 doors |
| Vehicle Weight | 1510 kg | 1630 kg |
| Vehicle Length | 4460 mm | 5320 mm |
| Vehicle Width | 1790 mm | 1980 mm |
| Vehicle Height | 1330 mm | 1390 mm |
| Wheelbase Size | 2600 mm | 2910 mm |
