1989 Ford Thunderbird (1989-1997)

This Ford Thunderbird race car is said to have been campaigned by Roush Racing with driver Mark Martin during the 1989 and 1990 NASCAR Winston Cup seasons, including second-place finishes at Watkins Glen and Sonoma. Following a practice crash in 1990, the car was partially dismantled, and the damaged chassis and bodywork were stored outdoors before being acquired by Rhine Enterprise of Denver, North Carolina, where the car was rebuilt and fitted with a replacement 358ci V8. Equipment includes a four-barrel carburetor, dry-sump lubrication, dual MSD ignition modules, and 15” steel wheels as well as a Butlerbuilt racing seat, Hurst shifter, fire-suppression system, and AutoMeter gauges. Work performed since the seller’s 2020 purchase has reportedly involved rebuilding the four-speed manual transmission and replacing the brake calipers. This NASCAR Thunderbird is now offered in Pennsylvania with refurbishment documentation and a bill of sale. Portions of the bodywork were replaced and the tube-frame chassis was repaired during the refurbishment. The red Folgers #6 livery replicates the car’s appearance during the 1990 season. Mark Martin piloted the car at Darlington in 2017 for a segment of NBC Sports Network’s NASCAR America. Exterior details include front brake duct inlets, exposed hood pins, cooling vents, a rear spoiler, side-exit exhaust pipes, and longitudinal stabilizing strips along either side of the roof. Black 15” Aero wheels are mounted with 27.5×12.0” Goodyear Eagle racing slicks. The car is equipped with power steering, and braking is handled by four-wheel discs with The Brake Man calipers, which were installed in preparation for the sale. The cockpit is protected by a roll cage and features a Butlerbuilt racing seat, a Hurst shifter, a safety net, and a fire-suppression system. A Mark Martin signature adorns the right side of the dashboard. The three-spoke steering wheel is mounted to a quick-release hub and fronts an AutoMeter Pro-Comp Memory tachometer flanked by gauges for oil pressure, coolant temperature, oil temperature, and fuel pressure. The car is not equipped with an odometer. The replacement 358ci V8 is equipped with a four-barrel carburetor, a dry-sump lubrication system, a remote oil-filter housing, and dual MSD 6AD ignition modules. The Modine aluminum radiator is cooled by an electric fan. An oil change was performed in preparation for the sale. Corrosion is visible on the exhaust system, which incorporates a crossover pipe and exits to either side. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a four-speed manual transmission that was reportedly rebuilt under current ownership. A driveshaft loop has been installed, and an oil cooler pump is mounted to the differential housing, although the drive belt is missing. Letters from Rhine Enterprise describing the car’s history and the work performed will accompany the car along with photos taken at various stages of the refurbishment. The car does not have a VIN, is not legal for road use, and carries no title or registration. It is being sold on a bill of sale.