Author Topic: Estimate on CD 1963 Thunderbird  (Read 2154 times)

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Offline Hot Rod Lincoln

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Estimate on CD 1963 Thunderbird
« on: October 20, 2021, 04:28:35 PM »
Hey guys,

Just kicking a thought around ... (picture of car just for example)
(something on my dream list)

What do you think the CD and frontal area is of a '63 Thunderbird ?   Any leads of where to find the information or best guess ?




Online jacksoni

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Re: Estimate on CD 1963 Thunderbird
« Reply #1 on: October 20, 2021, 07:57:44 PM »
This catalog site estimated Cd -0.5, and frontal area 2.15sqmeter: https://www.automobile-catalog.com/auta_details1.php
Takes some digging through all the files.
Jack Iliff
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Offline Hot Rod Lincoln

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Re: Estimate on CD 1963 Thunderbird
« Reply #2 on: October 20, 2021, 08:30:39 PM »

Thank you ...

How about something like a '53 Studebaker for comparison  ?   

Offline will6er

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Re: Estimate on CD 1963 Thunderbird
« Reply #3 on: October 20, 2021, 09:36:17 PM »
I found the numbers for a 1953 Stude. 2.07 square meters frontal area and drag co-efficient of .40.  I don't remember where I found them, but I think it was through this site.

Will Willis
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Offline JimL

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Re: Estimate on CD 1963 Thunderbird
« Reply #4 on: October 20, 2021, 11:03:30 PM »
I was sitting patrol duty, one day, at Muroc...and Bruce Geisler was on the same station.  He told me a story about his Studebaker and a good friends roadster. 

He said they were both running very similar engines and got to talking about how much faster the Studebaker would go with the roadster engine.  He told me both cars could run about the same speed, and so they decided to swap the engines to see how much faster the Studebaker could go.....and how much slower the roadster would go.

He said they were really surprised when both cars still ran about the same speed.  He said the aero on the Studebaker wasn't as good as the reputation!

It sure was fun, sitting and listening to his stories all day.  We didn't have much to do....Muroc wasn't very solid or fast to run on.  I ran our roadster there, one year, and it was about 15 mph slower than El Mirage.

My.... how the years have slipped away. :| :-(


Offline jl222

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Re: Estimate on CD 1963 Thunderbird
« Reply #5 on: October 20, 2021, 11:15:32 PM »
I was sitting patrol duty, one day, at Muroc...and Bruce Geisler was on the same station.  He told me a story about his Studebaker and a good friends roadster. 

He said they were both running very similar engines and got to talking about how much faster the Studebaker would go with the roadster engine.  He told me both cars could run about the same speed, and so they decided to swap the engines to see how much faster the Studebaker could go.....and how much slower the roadster would go.

He said they were really surprised when both cars still ran about the same speed.  He said the aero on the Studebaker wasn't as good as the reputation!

It sure was fun, sitting and listening to his stories all day.  We didn't have much to do....Muroc wasn't very solid or fast to run on.  I ran our roadster there, one year, and it was about 15 mph slower than El Mirage.

My.... how the years have slipped away. :| :-(

And the aero on the roadster was better.

   JL222

Offline Hot Rod Lincoln

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Re: Estimate on CD 1963 Thunderbird
« Reply #6 on: October 21, 2021, 12:39:17 AM »
Thanks.

Offline Paulin adelaide

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Re: Estimate on CD 1963 Thunderbird
« Reply #7 on: October 21, 2021, 12:57:19 AM »
just an asside for same manufacture  , cd of a jaguar e type       0.42 and frontal area  1.68 m2
 and the jaguar xjs coupe    cd  0.4 and frontal 1.88 m2          ,  similiar years   . I think everyone would think the e type swoopy .

Offline SPARKY

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Re: Estimate on CD 1963 Thunderbird
« Reply #8 on: October 22, 2021, 07:13:57 AM »
Ah the power of math and physics--- they will get you every time   muutt    fast= small and slippery    :friday
Miss LIBERTY,  changing T.K.I.  to noise, dust, rust, BLUE HATS & hopefully not scrap!!

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Offline Hot Rod Lincoln

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Re: Estimate on CD 1963 Thunderbird
« Reply #9 on: October 22, 2021, 03:00:42 PM »
Yes the powers of math ....

Is the car I'm starting with going to cost me 75 hp at the get go.    It sure helps knowing at the beginning. 

I need to sort through the link in post 2 to check on a 1970 Mustang fastback.  I'd think mid-4's
« Last Edit: October 22, 2021, 04:58:05 PM by Hot Rod Lincoln »