1963 AC Cobra vs. 1988 Ford Thunderbird
To start off, 1988 Ford Thunderbird is newer by 25 year(s). Which means there will be less support and parts availability for 1963 AC Cobra. In addition, the cost of maintenance, including insurance, on 1963 AC Cobra would be higher. At 4,727 cc (8 cylinders), 1963 AC Cobra is equipped with a bigger engine. In terms of performance, 1963 AC Cobra (271 HP @ 5750 RPM) has 131 more horse power than 1988 Ford Thunderbird. (140 HP @ 3800 RPM). In normal driving conditions, 1963 AC Cobra should accelerate faster than 1988 Ford Thunderbird. With that said, vehicle weight also plays an important factor in acceleration. 1988 Ford Thunderbird weights approximately 556 kg more than 1963 AC Cobra.
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. Let's talk about torque, 1963 AC Cobra (423 Nm @ 4500 RPM) has 131 more torque (in Nm) than 1988 Ford Thunderbird. (292 Nm @ 2400 RPM). This means 1963 AC Cobra will have an easier job in driving up hills or pulling heavy equipment than 1988 Ford Thunderbird. 1988 Ford Thunderbird has automatic transmission and 1963 AC Cobra has manual transmission. 1963 AC Cobra will offer better control over acceleration and deceleration in addition to better fuel efficiency overall. 1988 Ford Thunderbird will be easier to drive especially in heavy traffic.
Compare all specifications:
1963 AC Cobra | 1988 Ford Thunderbird | |
Make | AC | Ford |
Model | Cobra | Thunderbird |
Year Released | 1963 | 1988 |
Engine Position | Front | Front |
Engine Size | 4727 cc | 3797 cc |
Engine Cylinders | 8 cylinders | 6 cylinders |
Engine Type | V | V |
Horse Power | 271 HP | 140 HP |
Engine RPM | 5750 RPM | 3800 RPM |
Torque | 423 Nm | 292 Nm |
Torque RPM | 4500 RPM | 2400 RPM |
Engine Compression Ratio | 11.0:1 | 9.0:1 |
Top Speed | 217 km/hour | 185 km/hour |
Drive Type | Rear | Rear |
Transmission Type | Manual | Automatic |
Number of Seats | 2 seats | 4 seats |
Number of Doors | 2 doors | 2 doors |
Vehicle Weight | 1050 kg | 1606 kg |
Vehicle Length | 3850 mm | 5050 mm |
Vehicle Width | 1560 mm | 1850 mm |
Vehicle Height | 1250 mm | 1350 mm |
Wheelbase Size | 2290 mm | 2880 mm |