So, IS there any way to install a thunderbolt capable card in an old mac pro?
There's no way a Thunderbolt display will work with the GT120, or any other graphics card for that matter in a Mac Pro. The GT120 uses a Mini Display port, no matter what cable you buy you won't get a signal on a Thunderbolt display.
The 2013 Mac Pro has Thunderbolt, which is why the display works on that model. The classic Mac Pro does not have Thunderbolt and therefor will never work with that display, no matter what cables your order.