Ford Thunderbird

The Ford Thunderbird is a car manufactured in the USA by the Ford Motor Company. It entered production for the 1955 model year as a two-seater sporty car; unlike the superficially similar (and slightly earlier) Chevrolet Corvette, the Thunderbird was never sold as a full-blown sports car. Ford described it as a personal luxury car, a description which named a new market segment. In 1958, the Thunderbird gained a second row of seats for greater practicality. Succeeding generations became larger and more luxurious, until the line was downsized in 1977 and again in 1980. Sales were good until the 1990s, when large 2-door coupes became unpopular; production ceased after 1997. In 2002, a revived 2-seat model was launched, which will be available through the end of the 2005 model year.

1961-1963 "Bullet Birds"

1961 saw new and much sleeker "Bullet Bird" styling, with a pointed nose and rocket-ship lines, terminating with twin jet exhaust-like round taillights with fins above. Sales were strong, if not quite up to record-breaking 1960, at 73,051 including 10,516 convertibles. A new, larger 390 in³ (6.4 L) FE-series V8 was the only engine available. The Thunderbird was 1961's Indianapolis 500 pace car, and featured prominently in US President John F. Kennedy's inaugural parade, probably helped along by the appointment of Ford executive Robert McNamara as Secretary of Defense.

Related Topics:
1961 - FE-series - V8 - Indianapolis 500 - Pace car - US President - John F. Kennedy - Robert McNamara - Secretary of Defense

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1962 saw strong production figures of 78,011 (including 9,884 convertibles) and the introduction of the Thunderbird Sports Roadster. This model included a tonneau cover that covered the rear seat area, effectively transforming the car into a two-seater model, as well as Kelsey-Hayes wire wheels and special trim. Despite its appealing appearance, which earned a number of high-profile sales, including the model owned by Elvis Presley, its impracticality and high price led to poor sales. The tonneau cover was available through the 1964 model year, but few were sold.

Related Topics:
1962 - Tonneau - Kelsey-Hayes - Wire wheel - Elvis Presley - 1964

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Also introduced in 1962 was the Landau model, with a vinyl roof and simulated S-bars on the rear pillars. This was the beginning of the 1960s/1970s fashion for vinyl roof treatments, and a vinyl roof was a popular Thunderbird feature for the next twenty years.

Related Topics:
Landau - Vinyl roof

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1963's numbers were down at 63,313. The Landau became the no.2 model after the standard hardtop, at 12,193 sold, while a Limited Edition Landau model sold 2,000. Only 5,913 convertibles and 455 Sports Roadsters sold, indicating a decline in convertible popularity at the time.

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