Independent · Source-led · American performance history Issue 01 · 1951–2023
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1971 · Ford · United States

1971 Ford Thunderbird: The Fifth Generation's Last Year

The last fifth-generation year kept the 360-hp 429 as standard; production fell to 36,055.

United States · researched through 2026-09-23

Black-and-white photo of a white 1971 Ford Thunderbird two-door with a dark roof on a desert lot, front three-quarter view showing the projecting beak grille
1971 Ford Thunderbird two-door with the pointed beak grille Ford Motor Company Archives

This record's own dek states that the last fifth-generation year kept the 360-horsepower 429 as standard, with production falling to 36,055; this record's own overview repeats that the 1971 catalog lists the 360-hp 429-cubic-inch 4V V-8 and SelectShift Cruise-O-Matic as the standard power team, riding on belted bias-ply H78-15 tires, and this record's own engines and transmissions sections carry that same single engine-and-transmission pairing, sourced to the catalog rather than to Automotive Mileposts.

This record's own overview also states that Wikipedia's fifth-generation table gives 36,055 Thunderbirds for 1971 across all bodies and engines, while Automotive Mileposts gives the split by body and, as this record's own production notes state, by seat type. This record's own production section breaks the total into three bodies: 9,146 two-door hardtops split 6,154 bench and 2,992 bucket, 20,356 two-door Landaus split 12,223 bench and 8,133 bucket, and 6,553 four-door Landaus split 2,315 bench and 4,238 split-bench. This record's own production notes again state that no citable split by engine or option installation was found for the year, leaving body and seat type as the only breakdown this record carries for 1971.1,2

This record's own prices section gives three manufacturer's suggested retail prices, sourced to the 1971 Ford Buyers Digest rather than to Automotive Mileposts: $5,295 for the two-door hardtop, $5,438 for the two-door Landau, and $5,516 for the four-door Landau, each stated F.O.B. Detroit. This record's own conflicts section carries no entry weighing these figures against any other source, so they stand unopposed in this record's own text.

This record's own specifications section gives a 114.7-inch wheelbase for the two-door body against 117.2 inches for the four-door, lengths of 212.5 and 215.0 inches for the same two bodies, a 51.9-inch height for the two-door, and a 23.0-gallon fuel tank common to all bodies, every figure sourced to the catalog's own Dimensions and Capacities page. This record's own identification section adds the catalog's own form number, Form 5202-8/70, printed in the lower right of the same page.

This record's own options section itemizes 57 entries, among them a power sun roof at $518 offered on both Landau bodies and the two-door hardtop with vinyl roof, a Special Brougham Option at $304 for two-door models with bucket seats and console standard, and a Brougham cloth-and-vinyl trim at $162 that this record's own text notes requires the split-bench seat on the four-door body. Other entries include a Sure-Track brake control system at $194, automatic speed control bundled with a Rim-Blow steering wheel at $97, and AM/FM stereo with dual front and rear speakers at $150.2

This record's own paint table carries 24 colours, all sourced to the catalog's own Thunderbird Exterior Colors page rather than to Automotive Mileposts; three of them, Green Fire, Walnut Fire and Blue Fire, carry a note that they are available with the Special Brougham Option only rather than across the whole line. This record's own interiors section carries 31 trims, sourced to Automotive Mileposts; together with the overview, production, prices, specifications, identification and options sections, they stand as this record's own only sources for 1971, since keyFacts, performance, conflicts and unpublished leads are all empty for the year.

Fact sheet · 1971 · United States

The numbers

1971 Ford Thunderbird — The last fifth-generation year kept the 360-hp 429 as standard; production fell to 36,055.

Coverage: Partial — researched sections are shown; missing ones are not yet sourced. Researched through 2026-09-23.

Every figure is labeled with how sure we are. Reported means a manufacturer, registry, or reference figure we cite but have not reconciled against factory records ourselves. Disputed means credible sources disagree and both are shown. Rows are separately scoped; don't add them together unless the note says they make up a total.

Production

Totals
What was countedCountBasisStatus
All Thunderbirds, 1971 model year (every series, body and engine)1,2 not stated by source Whole-line total, not a performance-configuration count. 36,055 built, model-year Reported
By body style and series
What was countedCountBasisStatus
Two-door hardtop2 Thunderbird · Two-door hardtop · as published 9,146 built, model-year Reported
Two-door Landau2 Thunderbird · Two-door Landau · as published 20,356 built, model-year Reported
Four-door Landau2 Thunderbird · Four-door Landau · as published 6,553 built, model-year Reported
By trim
What was countedCountBasisStatus
Two-door hardtop, bench2 Thunderbird · Two-door hardtop, bench · as published 6,154 built, model-year Reported
Two-door hardtop, bucket2 Thunderbird · Two-door hardtop, bucket · as published 2,992 built, model-year Reported
Two-door Landau, bench2 Thunderbird · Two-door Landau, bench · as published 12,223 built, model-year Reported
Two-door Landau, bucket2 Thunderbird · Two-door Landau, bucket · as published 8,133 built, model-year Reported
Four-door Landau, bench2 Thunderbird · Four-door Landau, bench · as published 2,315 built, model-year Reported
Four-door Landau, split bench2 Thunderbird · Four-door Landau, split bench · as published 4,238 built, model-year Reported

No citable production split by body style, engine or option was found for this year; the only production figure is the whole-line total.

Prices when new

ModelPriceBasis
Thunderbird 2-door hardtop (429 4V 360 hp standard) $5,295 manufacturer's suggested retail, F.O.B. Detroit, 1971 model year
Thunderbird 2-door Landau $5,438 manufacturer's suggested retail, F.O.B. Detroit, 1971 model year
Thunderbird 4-door Landau $5,516 manufacturer's suggested retail, F.O.B. Detroit, 1971 model year

Prices are the nominal dollars of the day, not adjusted for inflation.

Engines

EngineFactory ratingAvailabilityBuilt
429 4V V-8 429 cu in · 4-barrel 360 hp (advertised gross (pre-1972 basis; the brochure does not name the standard)) standard Not yet sourced

Ratings are the manufacturer's advertised figures under the standard shown (SAE gross before 1972, SAE net after). They are not dyno results, and gross and net ratings can't be compared directly.

Transmissions

TransmissionAvailabilityBuilt
SelectShift Cruise-O-Matic standard Not yet sourced

Options and packages

CodeOptionPriceInstalled
order code SelectAire air conditioner, automatic temperature control $519 Not yet sourced
order code SelectAire air conditioner, manual control $448 Not yet sourced
order code Sure-Track brake control system $194 Not yet sourced
order code Sun roof, power (2- and 4-door Landaus and 2-door hardtop with vinyl roof) $518 Not yet sourced
order code Special Brougham with bucket seats $304 Not yet sourced
order code Trim, Brougham cloth and vinyl (requires split bench seat on 4-door) $162 Not yet sourced
order code Seats, bucket and console (standard with Special Brougham, 2-door only) $78 Not yet sourced
order code Seat, high-back split bench $78 Not yet sourced
order code Seat, reclining passenger $41 Not yet sourced
order code Power seat, bench 6-way $104 Not yet sourced
order code Power side windows $133 Not yet sourced
order code Automatic speed control (includes Rim-Blow deluxe 2-spoke wheel) $97 Not yet sourced
order code Steering wheel, tilt $52 Not yet sourced
order code Radio, AM/FM stereo (dual front and rear speakers) $150 Not yet sourced
order code AM stereo tape system $150 Not yet sourced
order code Tinted glass, complete $52 Not yet sourced
order code Electric defrost, rear window $84 Not yet sourced
order code Defogger, rear window $31 Not yet sourced
order code SelectAire Conditioner with Automatic Temperature Control2 $519 Not yet sourced
order code Special Brougham Option (Two-Door Models only)2 $304 Not yet sourced
order code Power-Operated Sunroof (Requires Vinyl Roof on Hardtop model)2 $518 Not yet sourced
order code Brougham interior, cloth and vinyl (low-back bench on 2-door; high-back split bench on 4-door)2 $162 Not yet sourced
order code High Back Split Bench Seat (Four Door Models, priced separately) with Cloth and Vinyl2 $162 Not yet sourced
order code Leather and Vinyl Bucket Seats (Two Door Models, priced separately)2 $227 Not yet sourced
order code Leather and Vinyl Split Bench Seat (Four Door Models, priced separately)2 $227 Not yet sourced
order code Bucket Seats with Center Console (Two Door Models only) (Standard with SPECIAL Brougham option only)2 $78 Not yet sourced
order code High Back Split Bench Seat (Four Door Models only)2 $78 Not yet sourced
order code Vinyl Roof (Hardtop Model only) New option for '712 $141 Not yet sourced
order code Exterior Appearance Group (Standard with Special Brougham Option)2 $78 Not yet sourced
order code Michelin Single Band White Sidewall Steel-Belted Radial-Ply Tires (Standard with Turnpike Convenience Group)2 $101.30 Not yet sourced
order code Dual Band White Sidewall Belted Bias-Ply Tires (Standard with Special Brougham Option)2 $30 Not yet sourced
order code Turnpike Convenience Group Includes: Automatic2 $196 Not yet sourced
order code Tilt Steering Wheel2 $52 Not yet sourced
order code Power Windows2 $133 Not yet sourced
order code Power 6-Way Driver's or Bench Seat2 $104 Not yet sourced
order code Power 6-Way Seats--Both Sides Bucket or Split Bench2 $207 Not yet sourced
order code Manual Reclining Passenger Seat (Standard with Turnpike Convenience Group)2 $41 Not yet sourced
order code Sure-Track Brake Control System2 $194 Not yet sourced
order code AM/FM Stereo Radio2 $150.29 Not yet sourced
order code StereoSonic Tape/AM Radio System2 $150.29 Not yet sourced
order code Dual Rear Speakers (Standard with AM/FM or Tape System)2 $33.07 Not yet sourced
order code Rear Window Defogger2 $26 Not yet sourced
order code Electric Defrost Rear Window2 $84.25 Not yet sourced
order code Deluxe Color-Keyed Seat Belts2 $15.60 Not yet sourced
order code Convenience Check Group2 $101.10 Not yet sourced
order code Tinted Glass2 $52 Not yet sourced
order code Power Trunk Lid Release2 $13.63 Not yet sourced
order code Power Antenna2 $31 Not yet sourced
order code Bodyside Molding with Vinyl Insert (Standard with Special Brougham Option and Exterior Appearance Group)2 $34 Not yet sourced
order code Front and Rear Bumper Guards with Rubber Inserts2 $19.70 Not yet sourced
order code Glamour Paint2 $130 Not yet sourced
order code Deluxe Wheel Covers (Not available with Special Brougham Option or Exterior Appearance Group)2 $52 Not yet sourced
order code High Axle Ratio (Researching Price)2 — Not yet sourced
order code Traction-Lok Differential2 $49 Not yet sourced
order code Heavy-Duty Suspension2 $28 Not yet sourced
order code Trailer Towing Package2 $50 Not yet sourced
order code Automatic Fingertip Speed Control (Standard with Turnpike Convenience Group2 $97 Not yet sourced

Paint

CodeColorBuilt
Green Fire (optional, extra cost) Not yet sourced
Walnut Fire (optional, extra cost) Not yet sourced
Blue Fire (optional, extra cost) Not yet sourced
Burgundy Fire Not yet sourced
Dark Green Not yet sourced
White Not yet sourced
Pastel Blue Not yet sourced
Light Yellow Gold Not yet sourced
Medium Green Metallic Not yet sourced
Medium Blue Metallic Not yet sourced
Gray Gold Metallic Not yet sourced
Red Not yet sourced
Yellow Not yet sourced
Tan Not yet sourced
Medium Brown Metallic Not yet sourced
Black Not yet sourced
Maroon Metallic Not yet sourced
Bright Aqua Metallic Not yet sourced
Light Green Not yet sourced
Dark Gray Metallic Not yet sourced
Dark Brown Metallic Not yet sourced
Light Pewter Metallic Not yet sourced
Dark Blue Metallic Not yet sourced
Deep Blue Metallic Not yet sourced

Color names are the factory's. We don't show color swatches, because a screen color is no guide for a restoration.

Interiors

CodeTrimBuilt
4A Black; Pleated Vinyl2 Not yet sourced
4B Dark Blue; Pleated Vinyl2 Not yet sourced
4R Dark Green; Pleated Vinyl2 Not yet sourced
4W White; Pleated Vinyl2 Not yet sourced
2A Black; Pleated Vinyl2 Not yet sourced
2B Dark Blue; Pleated Vinyl2 Not yet sourced
2R Dark Green; Pleated Vinyl2 Not yet sourced
2W White; Pleated Vinyl2 Not yet sourced
CA Black; Quilted Cloth and Vinyl Trim2 Not yet sourced
CB Dark Blue; Quilted Cloth and Vinyl Trim2 Not yet sourced
CD Dark Red; Quilted Cloth and Vinyl Trim2 Not yet sourced
CF Medium Ginger; Quilted Cloth and Vinyl Trim2 Not yet sourced
CR Dark Green; Quilted Cloth and Vinyl Trim2 Not yet sourced
CY Light Gray Gold; Quilted Cloth and Vinyl Trim2 Not yet sourced
EA Black; Quilted Cloth and Vinyl Trim2 Not yet sourced
EB Dark Blue; Quilted Cloth and Vinyl Trim2 Not yet sourced
ED Dark Red; Quilted Cloth and Vinyl Trim2 Not yet sourced
ER Dark Green; Quilted Cloth and Vinyl Trim2 Not yet sourced
EY Light Gray Gold; Quilted Cloth and Vinyl Trim2 Not yet sourced
EZ Dark Tobacco; Quilted Cloth and Vinyl Trim2 Not yet sourced
8A Black; Leather and Vinyl Trim2 Not yet sourced
8D Dark Red; Leather and Vinyl Trim2 Not yet sourced
8F Medium Ginger; Leather and Vinyl Trim2 Not yet sourced
FA Black; Leather and Vinyl Trim2 Not yet sourced
FD Dark Red; Leather and Vinyl Trim2 Not yet sourced
FZ Dark Tobacco; Leather and Vinyl Trim2 Not yet sourced
AA Black; Hopsack Cloth and Vinyl2 Not yet sourced
AB Dark Blue; Hopsack Cloth and Vinyl2 Not yet sourced
AD Dark Red; Hopsack Cloth and Vinyl2 Not yet sourced
AF Medium Ginger; Hopsack Cloth and Vinyl2 Not yet sourced
AR Dark Green; Hopsack Cloth and Vinyl2 Not yet sourced

Specifications

MeasureValueApplies to
Wheelbase 114.7 in two-door
Wheelbase 117.2 in four-door
Length 212.5 in two-door
Length 215 in four-door
Height 51.9 in two-door
Fuel tank 23 gal all

Identification

Catalog
Form 5202-8/70.

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Identification

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Also in 1971

  • AMC AMX The AMX name moves onto the redesigned Javelin as its top model. It is a derivative badge, not a continuation of the two-seater. 2,054 were built, all with the 360 or 401.
  • AMC Hornet SC/360 AMC's one-year compact muscle car pitched as an insurance-friendly alternative. AMC reportedly planned 10,000, but 784 were built.
  • AMC Javelin A new, flared-fender Javelin, with the AMX name as its top model. Javelin won AMC the 1971 Trans-Am manufacturers' championship.
  • AMC Matador Machine The Rebel Machine's unadvertised successor, a 'Machine Go' option package for the Matador hardtop. Production is unknown; published guesses run from 43 to 68.
  • Buick Riviera The boattail Riviera: 455 rated 315 gross / 255 net, GS 330 / 265; 3,175 of 33,810 were GS.
  • Buick Skylark Gran Sport, GS and GSX Compression fell to 8.5:1, the GS 350 and GS 455 were merged into one GS series of 9,170 cars, and the GSX became an appearance package on any GS.
  • Chevrolet Chevelle and Malibu SS A single RPO Z15 SS package now spanned small- and big-block V8s; 9,502 of 19,293 SS cars carried the LS5 454, and Chevrolet began printing net ratings beside gross.
  • Chevrolet Chevy II and Nova SS limited to the L48 350 per the source; Rally Nova (RPO YF1) offered. Enthusiast-compiled production: 194,878 cars; Super Sport 7,015.
  • Chevrolet El Camino SS A single RPO Z15 SS package on the Malibu/Custom El Camino; the El Camino share of 19,293 SS cars is not separately published.
  • Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS The last SS 454 year: RPO Z20 on 1,919 of 128,600 Monte Carlos.
  • Dodge Challenger Challenger's second year lost the SE, the R/T convertible, and the T/A; a new pillared coupe joined the hardtop and convertible, and production fell to roughly a third of 1970's.
  • Dodge Charger A new, shorter third-generation body absorbed the Coronet two-doors and the Super Bee; it was the last year for the R/T and for a factory Hemi Charger.
  • Dodge Coronet R/T and Super Bee The end of the line for Coronet performance: the two-door Coronets were replaced by the Charger, taking the Super Bee with them.
  • Dodge Dart GTS, Swinger and Demon Dodge's version of the Duster fastback arrived as the Demon, and the Demon 340 became the performance Dart: 10,098 built, plus 85 Canadian Swinger 340 Specials.
  • Ford Maverick Grabber The Grabber became its own model with a dual-scoop hood, and the 210 hp 302 V8 arrived; Classic Industries counts 38,963 Grabbers.
  • Ford Ranchero GT The second Torino-based Ranchero year; reference counts give 3,632 GTs, while Barn Finds rounds the GT figure to about 3,900 of 24,946 Rancheros.
  • Ford Torino A carryover year for the 1970 body; the Torino Cobra now came standard with a 351 four-barrel and offered the 429 Cobra Jet-R, but only 3,054 Cobras were built.
  • Mercury Comet and Cyclone The final Cyclone year: production fell to a few thousand across Cyclone, Cyclone GT and Cyclone Spoiler.
  • Mercury Cougar A larger second-generation Cougar, new body codes, and the one-year 429 Cobra Jet option, fitted to 448 cars.
  • Oldsmobile Cutlass, 4-4-2 and Hurst/Olds Compression fell to 8.5:1 for regular fuel, the W-31 was dropped, the sports coupe was gone, and 4-4-2 production fell to 7,589.
  • Plymouth Barracuda and 'Cuda Four headlamps and a new grille marked the second E-body year; the Hemi and 440 Six Barrel stayed on the 'Cuda order form, but Barracuda-line production fell to about a third of 1970's.
  • Plymouth Duster 340 and 360 The Duster 340's second year brought a new grille, a Thermo-Quad 340 rated 275 gross and 235 net hp, and a $2,703 list price, while output fell to about 12,900.
  • Plymouth GTX, Belvedere and Satellite On the redesigned 1971 Satellite body the GTX fell to 2,942 cars, only 30 of them with the Hemi.
  • Plymouth Road Runner Redesigned on the new Satellite body as a hardtop only, the Road Runner fell to 14,218 cars, and a 340 joined the 383, 440, and Hemi.
  • Pontiac Firebird and Trans Am The 455 HO year: the Trans Am's biggest engine, 2,116 cars, and a Formula line split across three V-8s.
  • Pontiac GTO Lower compression, dual gross and net ratings, the 455 HO as the top engine, and production down to 10,532.
  • Pontiac Grand Prix Boat-tail styling, lower compression, and the manual transmission gone by March: 116 of 58,325 had one.
  • Pontiac Tempest and LeMans The Tempest name gives way to T-37; the GT-37 option carries on and the 455 HO is available in two-door LeMans models.