Let the Stories Continue

[Steve Legel]

I think this story was lost in the shuffle.
I took the yellow Thunderbird out for a spin on a Sunday morning. I stopped at a red light. Next to me pulls up a Harley. The fellow has a leather vest, braided pony tail, sunglasses etc. He's twistin' the throttle and making all sort of revving engine noise. On the seat behind him is a trim, short haired, long legged blond. She's eyeballin' the Thunderbird front to back, up and down. Between Harley revs, she says..."Nice car." I thank her and mention, this seems a lot like the TV commercial. Just then the guy grimaces at me over his shoulder, the light turns green, and he squeels off, all sorts of noise. I waited expecting the girl to slip off the back of the cycle, I'd have asked. "Need a lift?":rolleyes:

[SixPac]

Big T-bird owner ego buster today. Our pool pump went out today and we called this old guy who has been in pool repair business for for a long time. He shows up in an old pick-up truck that appears to be older than him. When he got thru, I jokingly told him that I was broke and asked if he would take the Bird instead. He glanced at the Bird, then looked at me, and then looked at my 8 year old GMC pick-up (40K actual miles), then turned back to me and said "I'd rather have the truck". I really think he thought I was serious. We wrote him a check real quick.

See some of ya'll in Destin. The count down begins.

[FordMan7]

Steve,

I couldn't agree more.... There have been times when out with my blue t-bird that I have felt like I was part of the Ford advertising campaign:thumbsup:

Some of the most interesting things happen when t-birds go out in the real world:biggrin::thumbsup: I've had perfect strangers throw change in the car for good luck, Have had to show the engine off at least 50 plus times, and even have had requests from strangers that wanted to just "sit" in the car... It is soooooo! Neat!

Just for kicks - park the car on the street in a active "downtown" area and watch from a distance... About eight out of ten people just walking down the street will stop look the car over, get a big grin across their face and walk away with at least one or two glances back at the car!

FordMan7:fordsrule:

[0bird2]

We had our '57 and the '02 at a small Show 'n Shine on Saturday
night a couple of weeks ago and a woman asked who the Blue car
belonged to. Dot was gone, so I said it was mine. She wanted
to know where I had the interior restored. It took a second to
get my wits back and told her it was a new car. She said she
thought it was an old T-Bird that had been restored.........But
she really liked the car!!!!

[Blue Heaven]

George,
I've had the same thing happen to me. It is amazing how many people think the 02s are older birds!

[Lady 007]

My husband really is a motorcyle nut. He wanted me to buy another "sports car" but I wanted the bird. But God bless the guy on the bike who pulled up next to Jerry (he was driving) and gave him the thumbs up....whew
Then I actually had a guy stop and yell out his tahoe that "that is the coolest car I have seen in a long time" (Jerry has a tahoe). I think everything is going to be allright! Fun to hear your stories! Thanks Steve for reposting. I laughed so hard at that one and I made sure Jerry read it! See ya in Destin Cindy

[rlstonejr]

I was sitting at a light and a minivan with 30ish parents and 2 kids pulled up. I tried to be nonchalant as they were obviously eyeing the car. Then the guy says "great car, my wife loves it." I thanked him and he said "I'll trade you" I said "no thanks, I'm not the minivan type" as the light changed he yelled " no, I meant I'll trade my wife" :lol::biggrin::lol:

it's true !!!!

[RETRO T]

:lol::lol:While in Grand Haven this summer, we parked the car away from the congested areas and walked to our destination. Upon returning, there was a group of late teens and early 20's gathered around the car and so I hit the alarm button. They couldn't see us and it was fun to see them flee.:pbj: Are we mean or what?

[FordMan7]

Shame on you! :nono: That sounds like a fun idea - I have got to try it one day!:thumbsup:

FordMan7:fordsrule:

[5bird7]

While visiting the car show in the Target parking lot after today's driving tour, we had several people stop by to look at our car and not even care about the show going on right next door to it.

One vehicle pulled up as I had just come back to the car from shopping in the Target and stopped to talk about the Thunderbird. Two women, one wanted to buy one and wanted to know more - handed her 2 cards - 1 for my site and 1 for this site. They didn't stick around to check out the show, just had to talk about the Thunderbird and then leave.

Another man, was just all grin as he looked the car over. Seemed to be excited about seeing one up close.

[FordMan7]

Ok, Now I think I have seen it all....

Last night I passed a couple out walking - As I drove passed the man stopped dead in his tracks - moved into the middle of the road and watched the T-bird go by - It is amazing the effect that car can have on people!

FordMan7:fordsrule:

[5bird7]

We knew it would happen someday and I wonder if he was someone that any of our members knew.
The news appeared on the net at:
http://www.modbee.com/local/story/4581011p-5600147c.html

[RETRO T]

That's awful. Was he a member?

[5bird7]

This time about J Mays:
http://www.calendarlive.com/galleriesandmuseums/cl-ca-freudenheim17nov17.story

[brd4jk]

thanks dot: learned alot from that article

[Tbird eh]

Back in February when I found a bird on a dealers floor I had just finished the deal with my salesman. Standing in front of the car, he congratulated me on the purchase of a 2002 Tbird. A young on looker stopped, look at us, then the Bird, then back to me and asked if I would adopt him. I had to tell him the only way I could afford the car was because I had no kids.

Triple Black deluxe 1 of 534 made....7854

[5bird7]

Yesterday afternoon, while I was photographing the new grey car at the dealership, a potential owner showed up to look the car over. She already had a black 02 which she had purchased last summer.

She told me her 02 story:

Her husband had been trying to get her interested in the new Thunderbird for sometime and she was driving by the dealership and decided now was the time to try one out. She talked the salesman into letting her take it for a test drive as she wasn't convinced they "needed" that car. She said she didn't even make it out of the parking lot before she made her decision to buy the car. The car was so comfortable that she knew it was a keeper. She said it was more comfortable than any BMW, Mercedes, Acura, Lexus, etc... that she had ever driven. She disappointed the salesman as he was looking forward to the ride.:biggrin: and she didn't need more of a test drive.:pbj:

She is amazed at the reactions from people when she's driving the car - not used to strangers coming up to her to talk about the car.

Now what brought her in looking at the 2003? Her husband wants the increased power and I think they'll make the trade.

I gave her my card and hopes she or her husband make it to this forum sometime. Alas, I did not get her name:bawl: so hope she contacts me sometime.

ps - The car is "hers" but he makes excuses to use the car whenever he can.

[TbirdBoy]

I wasn't more that 10 blocks from the dealer when I caught a red light and a 20 somthing guy stuck his head out the window of a car 3 cars ahead of me and shouted back at me "tight ride"...I just waved and smiled.

A few weeks after I was driving home south towards downtown on I-71 in the left hand lane when this car came speeding towards me and then moved to the center lane. I though he was just going to pass me on the right and when he didn't I looked over. Here he and the lady with him are right next me to smiling and giving me the thumbs up...hehe.

[FUN X 3]

I went through the drive-thru at the bank yesterday. The three tellers went bezerk, jumping and pointing and carrying on. One fortyish woman got on the speaker and said "Your Thunderbird is beautiful, my Dad used to drive one like that, what year is it?"
I said "Guess", she said "65?"
"Nope, guess again", "63?"
"Nope, one more guess", "60?!?!?"
"Nope...2002!"
They went nuts. None of them had seen one before. I gave them the quick overview of Ford's revival of the new T-Bird based on the old Birds.

This is the third time someone thought it was an old Bird that had been restored to new condition. What a riot, it made my day.:lol: :lol: :lol:

[dartguy699]

i was driving the bird down one of our busier streets yesterday when a carload of teens passed me-they started hanging out the windows(not the driver luckily!) whooping and hollering with the thumbs up etc. it was very ego boosting to say the least!
jim

[brd4jk]

I went to the bank last weekend when it was 50 and sunny out so i took the bird. park in front, got out started walking towards the front door, just as i walked in 2 ladies come running at me and pointing, at first i thought the bank got robbed and i had my eyes closed and missed seeing the suspect, then as they ran past me they saying to each other wow look at that car, isnt it gorgious, they looked it all over as i walked out towards them they asked you dont mind if we looked at your car. I told them no go right ahead i even let them set in it. They thought it was christmas day. wow what a moment and i thought they had gotten robbed:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

[flybrd]

It was NBA All Star weekend in Atlanta this past weekend, and I couldn't resist taking the bird out downtown...we mingled with all sorts of custom vehicles, hummers, escalades, mercedes, etc....and with all of these high profile vehicles around, the thunderbird was still a huge hit....waves and thumbs up from all around!:hail: :worship:

[yelobird2002]

Speaking of stories, Ford accepted and posted my story on the Ford Centenial web site. :fordsrule

[TbirdTim]

yelobird2002:

Congratulations on the acceptance by Ford of your post!
:thumbsup:

[AZTB]

Stopped at a light this last Saturday in a busy intersection in Phoenix...fella in a Silverado pulls up next to me and rolls down his window. Wants to know all about the little blue car...did the hardtop fold back...You mean it had a V-8?...HOW much horsepower?...he's so taken back by it, that he almost missed his left-turn signal...

[FUN X 3]

I was stopped in traffic with the top down the other day and a woman rolled down her window and said "My son [about 10-12 yrs. old, sitting in the passengers seat] doesn't want a Lotus anymore." It looked like he was drooling pretty bad...future owner in about 30-40 years I'd say.:lol: :lol: :lol:

[75tbird]

I had a VERY unique expirience about a month ago...

I was sitting at a stoplight in my '75, minding my own business, enjoying the rumble of having a big-block under the hood, when out of the BLUE a BLUE '57, pulls up next to my BLUE '75, and we were admiring each other's cars when a BLUE 2002 pulled up next to US! needless to say, it was AWESOME, we pulled into the burger joint up the road (where, by strange coincidence, we were all going to eat lunch at) and started what turned out to be an impromtu T-bird show in their parking lot while we ate!

I only wish I'd had a camera, any camera, with me that day.

I also noticed that everything, including the sky, was BLUE that day...

[ThunderBubba]

75tbird -- I hope you told them about our web site here. We always welcome new members.

[75tbird]

Originally posted by ThunderBubba
75tbird -- I hope you told them about our web site here. We always welcome new members.

well, I wasn't a member here at that time, but I definetly WILL tell them if I see them again!

[LyleH]

Just this morning when my wife and I were at a restaurant, a very young waitress told me that they were admiring my car (03, red/ white top) when we drove up. She asked what it was and I said T-Bird. She replied, "oh, I didn't know if it was that or a Studebaker." She was serious! I don't know if she thought the T-Bird was from the 50's or that they were still making Studebakers.
Lyle Haskins

[75tbird]

Originally posted by LyleH
Just this morning when my wife and I were at a restaurant, a very young waitress told me that they were admiring my car (03, red/ white top) when we drove up. She asked what it was and I said T-Bird. She replied, "oh, I didn't know if it was that or a Studebaker." She was serious! I don't know if she thought the T-Bird was from the 50's or that they were still making Studebakers.
Lyle Haskins

The Studebaker is making a comeback (via Avanti), they had an SUV (called "XUV")at an auto show this year that bore a faint resemblance to the old "Studebaker Champ" pickup, and last year, Avanti sold a 2002 "Avanti" (in a limited run, it was a modernized version of the original) but without the Studebaker name. http://www.motorcities.com/contents/03BIH255322331.html

Maybe somehow she thought Avanti was goint to make a new Studebaker Hawk?

[DMIR.T-Bird]

I live for the Thunderbird. Always have always will. I have always believed Ford was a step ahead on the styling curve, after all, how many cars were re-designed every 3 years?. They always had "THE LOOK" and no matter what the year, it is UNMISTAKEABLY a Thunderbird. The common person almost always knows it at a glance. It's PURE AMERICAN....sporty, luxury, style...its always been there. It has always been a head turner. My 77,78,94,95, and my 02.

Today I had my triple Black Premium on the road after Winter storage. This thing is gonna cause a crash!. A BMW TRIED to race me off a stop light, A guy almost broke his neck on a 4-wheeler after I went by. I NEVER EXPERIENCED head turning like this before!

[BotNew56]

Two recent stories:

I was parking at the county recreation center when a family came up the walk toward me. The little boy, couldn't have too much over two years old, ran out in front of them, pointing at the Bird, saying "lookit, lookit, lookit!" As I got out of the car, I said to the mother, "That must be a boy who likes cars". She said, "You've got that right". As I left, the little boy couldn't take his eyes off the Bird. So, I guess fifty years from now, Ford has another built-in customer.

This last weekend we were in a small town in Georgia in the 2002 TBird and had to pull over to the left because of an emergency vehicle flashing its lights and siren and approaching from the rear. It was a fire department utility truck. It passed us and turned left at the cornor just ahead of us, but as it screeched around the corner, the driver was looking back at us.

[joelja]

Just went to the bank...the drive-thru window teller said, "Boy, that is a nice antique car." When I told her it was a new Thunderbird she was shocked and obviously had never seen one or heard that the TBird was back.

[FUN X 3]

I ran into #173 of 700 this afternoon at a gas station on the way home from work...she got it two weeks ago. The first time I've seen the Bond car on the road...I gotta get me a set of those wheels! The guy on the other side of the pump says to me "What is this, a T-Bird convention or something?" There were quite a few folks looking back and forth between the birds like it was a tennis match. It was great fun for both of us bird owners.:lol:

[VA2k2Tbrd]

You know I find it amazing that some of you are seeing t-birds all over the place and FUN X 3 your fairly close to me. I've not seen any around here at all. I know the dealer where I bought mine has I think 3 more 02s and 3 or 4 03s on his lot. I've only had mine for about 6 weeks now, but don't see any others (of any color) at all. Even before I bought I looked and didn't see any on the road. Part of the amazement is that I also own a Ford Explorer and because they're everywhere I would often mistake mine for someone else's in a parking lot. Don't get me wrong the Explorer is not one of the best selling cars on the road for nothing. Ford knew what they were doing with the Explorer (bad tires not withstanding). I love my Explorer. Couldn't do without it. But boy do I feel special driving the Bird. And by the way I did have a 1987 T-Bird XLT and I very much wish I still had it today.:sad:

[NCBlueBird]

I was driving from Cary to Greensboro this afternoon and on 421 before Greensboro, a pickup passed me. He completely quit looking at the road, and both the driver and passenger nearly turned around in their seats to get a better look from another angle. When he turned, his hands moved too. Turning the steering wheel as he rubbernecked, he moved right into my lane and almost ran me off the WIDE divided highway!

But he did get a good look at a beautiful car, and it didn't even bother me 'cause I'm getting used to it by now.

NCBlueBird

[Bryan Sloop]

Yesterday, at the last minute, we decided to take a jaunt to the beach.
I really did not want to go, but something made me miss the turn off for home and continue west.

We got into Seaside, OR, and noticed a Red '02 parked in at one of the regular "refreshment stops"

Walked inside, (there were only a few people in the bar) I spouted, "Who ownes the Red one?" 2 people waved us over, I offered to buy them a drink, and the stories began. Immediately, they said that they saw me pull up.

Two of the neatest people, Jon & Jeannie. I immediately referred them to the nest. I hope we may have 2 more great people soon at the nest.

We visited for a couple hours there, got some pics of the 2 cars side by side, took a spin up to the "Prom" stopped in the middle of traffic (very little, yet illeagal) took pics of the 2 cars, then off to the Elks. More pics, visiting and an invite to join the Elks. I did.

Just had the greatest time. We didn't leave the coast until almost 10pm last nite. 1 1/2 hours later, back home with memories to last a lifetime.

[Bryan Sloop]

And another.

[0bird2]

Bryan,
Ah, the days and nights at Seaside, Cannon Beach and Rockaway for fun. It's been a long time since i've been there. Also liked Ocean Park, Long Beach, Seaview, Ilwaco area. My first time in Seaside without my parents was 1960 during Spring break. Went again in '61 and '62. Is the old roller skating rink still in Cannon Beach??? It's probably a kite shop now.... Too old for roller skates anyway!

[Bryan Sloop]

No, unfortunatly, the skating rink is gone, as for the kite shop, the last time I was down there it was not there. It has grown BEYOND BELIEF.

It became "Californicated" All of you wonderful members from CA., Please, do not take offense. Just some big financial investors came in and re-modeled the entire town. It is not the quaint, quiet get away place it once was.

The same thing is happening in Seaside. Trend West built a 10 storie gigantic resort right at the end of the Prom. Everything is growing up.

[AZTB]

Same thing is happening in Prescott, Arizona, former capitol of the state of AZ back in the cowboy days. It was, at one time, a really quaint little town...now it's Jammed and overgrown and merchandised to the hilt...out-of-staters have discovered it and it's all but gone! Too bad this has to happen.

[0bird2]

I just remembered that there was a good resturant called the Sanctuary east of Ilwaco that is in an old church, it was a nice place to eat. It is probably still there.
Used to ride the Bumper cars in Seaside and Long Beach, and the Go-Carts in Long Beach. It was sure easy to spend money down there.
We used to stop at the DQ in Raymond on the way down to the coast.
Lot's of good memories........
We have a nice picture of the '57 by some big Rhodedendrons in Oysterville, maybe I could get Dot to post it, then you can go look for them and take a picture of your '02 in the same place.....

[5bird7]

It's the background on my other site:
http://www.omniport.net/alinodot/index.html

[VA2k2Tbrd]

All I can say is something really weird is going on. I posted on Sunday how I passed 2 new birds coming back from a Sunday drive. Well today coming home from work (mind you I live 3 miles from work) and have been driving this road for some time, and what do I pass on that same road but a black 56 tbird. And what a absolutely gorgeous thing it was. We both waved.

[FordMan7]

Monday on the way back from a job site, I crossed paths with an all black '55..... From both of our reactions I could not tell who was more enthusiastic to meet the other.... It is amazing how many neat people you cross paths with just by having a Thunderbird!

FordMan7

[HKS]

April 8 late evening. I was cruising the LasVegas Strip Northbound. I got into the wrong lane. I did not want to turn left on Spring Mountain RD. I would have ended up on the other side of I15. I really wanted to get back to the hotel.

While waiting at the trafic light, the driver on the right motioned to roll my window down. I thought he wanted directions. He asked what year my Tbird was and complemented me on the beautiful car.

Long light. We rolled window back up.

I had an idea, why not ask him if I could turn in front of him to get back in the lane I was suposed to be in. Rolled window down and asked. He was delighted to help a Tbird owner. He let me go ahead of him in his lane. ( Maybe he wanted another view of the Tbird)

Also on this 4000mile trip in April 2003. On every rest stop I had complements and nice converstions about the TBird. People that normally would not strike up a converstion just start talking about my beautiful Thunderbird.


:smokin::beer:

[DLJames]

My story:

I live outside of a small town of about 200 people in the country, so everybody pretty much knows everybody. A few weeks ago, I took the T-Bird into the bank for the first time. Got quite a reaction from the staff along the lines of "nice car", "WOW', "beautiful", "what is it" etc. My wife was not with me at the time.

I guess there was quite a bit of discussion about the car when I left. Was back in the bank a few days later in one of my business vehicles and the teller wanted to know where the "chick magnet" was! It took me a few moments to realize she was talking about the T-Bird! Thinking quickly, I replied "Milinda was home and wouldn't let me drive it!"

A few days later, I was back in the bank (again without the T-Bird) and they wanted to know if it was possible to display the car in the lobby for their spring loan promotion! Had to tell them their boss probably wouldn't approve since I didn't get the loan for the car there!

[brd4jk]

hey thats pretty good i like that one

[bluebirdofhappiness]

This just made my weekend...:naughty:

Saturday afternoon I was heading to the dealer to pick up a tube of touch up paint...I had washed the 'Bird and the top was down. I was driving down El Camino (one of the main roads through town around here). At the edge of Menlo Park where it turns to Palo Alto the road goes to 3 lanes and maybe a 4th for a turn. Anyway, there were at least 3 lanes.

I was stopped at a red light. Ahead of me was a white convertible Boxter with the top down, to my right was a midnight blue Lexus SC430 with the top down too. Behind me was a blue Z3 with the top up and behind the Lexus was a black Mercedes Kompressor top down. There was also a black Corvette and a burgundy Jag within two car lengths too.

As I waited at the light, I thought how I was just right in the middle of a fancy car sandwich...then two lanes over a guy starts waving and saying "HEY!!!" I looked over there, and said, "WOW! That is one COOL car!!!" and he gave me a big thumbs-up :thumbsup: :pbj: :pbj: :pbj: It was too cool. :pink: :pink:

[5bird7]

bluebirdofhappiness, I don't think I can top your story.

Was at a car show late this afternoon with our bluebird. Someone commented to their friend:
"At last, they've put some class back into the Thunderbird"

[DLJames]

Took the bird in early Saturday April 10 to have the annual motor vehicle inspection performed at my local servicing dealer. When they were finished at the dealership (and I stopped lusting after the new F-150), I stopped at the local hardware store just down the road in the county seat. Since it was just a few minutes after 8:00 AM, there were few cars on the street so I parked in front of the store -- right in front of the big glass windows.

I got out of the car and walked in and the lady behind the register looked rather embarassed. Just at that time, this young guy comes running up out of breath and says to her "where is it?". Shortly, several other people arrived. She had paged the entire staff over the intercom to come see this beautiful Thunderbird that had pulled up in front of the store!

The entire staff (5 people) had to come out and look at the car. Lots of questions. Lots of stories. The lady at the register was the only one that had ever seen a Thunderbird before. Most people had no idea what it was and didn't even realize that Ford was making a Thunderbird again!

[Bruce]

David,
It is amazing how many people don't know this is a new version Thunderbird. Leaving the Fitchburg Car Show yesterday a cop pulled up beside me and said nice restoring job what year is it. When I said 2003 he face drop for a second then smiled and said they sure make 'em look like the old ones and sped off.
This kind of thing happens all the time and sometimes before I tell them the year I think about saying yea its a '55 and take credit for the restoration. I'm sure everyone at TBN has a fist full of these stories.

[Vintage Merlot]

My wife and I drove to South Carolina over Christmas and pulled in to a Walgreens to pick up a few items. I came back to the car early and as I was opening the door a guy came running across the parking lot in order to see the car before I got in and drove away. As he came up he said "Man, I can't wait until I go through my mid life crisis."

[AZTB]

Andrea (bluebird...) - that's ONE terrific story! I've had similar things happen here in Phoenix where I would be surrounded by some impressive new pieces of automotive hardward, only to have someone in the crowd point and look at the new Thunderbird.

The wife and I were in the Arrowhead area last night with the top down - some lady pulls up next to us (as we're raising the top) and asks my wife if this is the new Thunderbird (ours is an 02). When she replied, the lady said: "I've never seen one up close - that's one classy car!"

[YLO BRD]

I was stopped at a light the other day, with the top down, enjoying the beautiful day when a guy in a "beater" car pulls along side me and says "I just love the color of your car". I reply "Thank you, so do I". He said "I really do, I bought the same paint for my car". After I removed my sunglasses, I saw his wrecked up car was really Inspiration Yellow, it just didn't look the same.

The same day on the way home, a guy in a pickup looked over, smiled and just said "That car fits you!" I hope that was a compliment.

[taflocks]

twice this week ladies have come up to the car saying what a sexy car it is asking how do i like it..............one lady had won a blue 2002 but sold it before she had driven it,said to me she coulden't affoard to keep it...........
found this picture on the net some of you may like.................

[HKS]

tom,

Do :drums: you or anyone else know where this car is now?

HKS

twice this week ladies have come up to the car saying what a sexy car it is asking how do i like it..............one lady had won a blue 2002 but sold it before she had driven it,said to me she coulden't affoard to keep it...........
found this picture on the net some of you may like.................

[AZTB]

At a stop light Saturday afternoon...top down, enjoying the sun (what else in Phoenix?!). Teen-age black boy with his boomer box is standing on the corner, listenin' to his rap music...looks over at the car and yells out, "Nice, man, really nice!" and gives me the thumbs up. I gestured back to him with a big smile and a wave, and off he went, jammin' to the music.

Who says the new Bird's only for older white folks!

[tonyc]

I was driving to work today with top down tunes up and stoped at a red light.A school bus pulls up on my right filled with 12-13 year olds.They are yelling out of the windows cool car,burn rubber,can I have a ride?Will you follow us to school for show and tell.It's such a rush to have all that excitement from kids that can understand what a cool car this really is.It had taken me back 30 + years for a moment.