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.

2002-2005 "Retro Birds"

However, 2002 saw a new Thunderbird launched; this Retro Bird was again a two-seater and received the model's third Motor Trend Car of the Year honor. It was also nominated for the North American Car of the Year award that year.

Related Topics:
Motor Trend - Car of the Year - North American Car of the Year

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The new Thunderbird was based on the Ford DEW platform, shared with the Lincoln LS. It followed the recent trend for nostalgic recreations of old-fashioned styling (See VW New Beetle, Chrysler PT Cruiser), being a recreation of the 1955-1957 two-seat Thunderbird in a modern style. Available only as a convertible with a removable hardtop, the new Thunderbird certainly turns heads.

Related Topics:
Ford DEW platform - Lincoln LS - VW New Beetle - Chrysler PT Cruiser

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Sales where not as high as expected. Many people cite the tiny 3.9 L V8 coupled to a car that weighs almost as much as its much larger four-seat predecessor and the relatively hefty price tag as the prime reasons for these cars not having been as marketable as had been hoped. The Ford Motor Company announced in March 2005 that the Thunderbird will again be discontinued in July 2005. Ford plans to release a new Thunderbird sometime in the years to come, but an exact date has not been specified. Sales had been declining.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In the last 50 years, some 4.2 million Thunderbirds have been sold.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~