Rumors

[5bird7]

Rumors always abound until you see the actual product so thought I'd let you know I'm researching the latest one I've heard about the coming 2003. Because of its implications with sales on the 2002s, I won't be divulging this rumor yet

UPDATE: Actually good news - I can squelch this one before it leaks - appears to have been bad rumor that someone was trying to start so their 2002s would get sold(at a high price). Anyway, if you come across rumors on the new thunderbirds, post them here and they can be checked out.

[TBird02]

You're so bad! I think that is called a tease!

I can't stand a long wait! What am I saying... I waited 32 months for my car. This wait should be as easy as falling off a log.

However, we expect the scoop to be shared ASAP.

[5bird7]

I can be a tease. the rumor was going to get me on a soapbox - ON MY WEBSITE - so I was glad to be able to nix it.

I do have the latest on the James Bond movie. Halle will be driving a RED car in that one and not the coral one that was advertised early this year. Seems Ford hasn't really decided on the coral shade they want to use on the car. So a red one is being used with Neiman Marcus trim, ie, the hood scoop and wheels. so the diecast model has also changed - it will be red. Don't know that I'll pick that one up unless they do some other changes to the model.

----------edited July 24---------
don't you just love rumors?! that "red" rumor is out the window!!

[TBird02]

Weren't some coral Bond models made? If so, that could make those even more collectible. Seems like I saw a pic of one a while ago, like a matchbox size.

[5bird7]

Originally posted by TBird02
Weren't some coral Bond models made? If so, that could make those even more collectible. Seems like I saw a pic of one a while ago, like a matchbox size.

Promotional models were probably made for the NY Toy show so potential vendors could see what the model looked like but I haven't seen them. There are some flyers out with 1/18 scale models on them in coral but the latest flyer I saw was one that Tony put up on the Thunder on 66 site and it had a red 'bird on it. The flyers with the coral birds will become quite collectible as will the red flyers.


-----edited July 22------
that "red" flyer actually turned out to be a bad color reproduced on the net - the actual flyer does have a coral bird on it.

[ThunderBubba]

wmoorefield posted on another site that he sat in on a meeting where it was verified that the 03 Birds would have the white leather inserts available as an option. Let's hope so. That is truly retro back to the first Birds. I had a 56' with the black and white interior.:smokin:

[Red]

The white inserts are a must for that true retro look. We got the standard interior, knowing some day it would see white inserts. Duane

[w.moorefield]

the white inserts had come up in the meeting they said they were a go!( exact words).. also said we will be getting some literture in the next two-three weeks on ordering / pricing / colors.as soon as i get it i'll get it scanned in this site with maybe the help of justin or some one who knows the best way to do it. so everybody can see the order guides&pricing....

[mrtony]

I just loves me some Rumors! :pbj:

[ThunderBubba]

wmoorefield;

Please, please, please keep that kind of info coming. We always need and enjoy your kind of inside info. That's what gets these forums buzzing. Back when we were ALL waiting for our cars we would pounce on this kind of info. Keep those tidbits coming.:smile:

[Red]

Dealers are being advised that the Lincoln LS, sister vehicle, will have a 280 H.P. engine for 2003. Perhaps an insider can tell us what they did to get more power - less restrictive exhaust, larger throttle body, recalibration, larger injectors, cam timing, Jaguar goodies. ????? Duane

[tr cruiser]

I know it's been debunked before, but the rumor persists that the Halle Berry car in the new Bond film Die Another Day will indeed be coral. There were a number of articles published last week like this one in the Detroit News (http://detnews.com/2002/autosinsider/0207/19/b04-540778.htm) that mentioned the 2003 color. There was also reference to a 007 Bond logo to be placed on the floor mats and a 007 badge for the dash in a Fordmedia release.

[02birdman]

Do you have a high resolution photo of the bond car? I would like to make a poster or banner for my garage with it. I copied the image off this forum, but the quality is not great. If you can tell me where you got the photo maybe I can go to the site and copy a better image.

[5bird7]

02birdman,
the image probably came off of the Detroit News site. That's as big as it gets.
It's also on Wieck's site:
http://www.wieck.com/public/index.html
If you have media access to that site, you may be able to come up with a larger image.

[PA 02 Bird]

The front view would have been a better picture!!!!

[DavidA]

I think they wanted to make sure you saw the white interior. The front view wouldn't have shown it off quite as well.:smokin:

[TBIRD RUNNER]

What?! No White on the steering wheel?! The picture doesn't show any.

[tr cruiser]

As Dot said, that picture came from the Detroit News article and I haven't found any larger images or different views posted elsewhere. For some details on next year's model changes, however, try the Ford media site page on the 2003 model (http://media.ford.com/products/presskit_display.cfm?vehicle_id=700&press_subsection_id=421&make_id=92). I guess this falls outside the rumor category. :naughty:

[5bird7]

well,, how about that.!? checked out Weick's site again this morning and the 007 photo is gone. In it's place are 2 photos of the 2003 in black. Couldn't see any changes on the outside - maybe someone else will notice something there? BUT did notice on the interior shot that they've added some controls to the blank area behind the shifter. Not enough detail to see if they've changed the visor any - looked like the 2002s.

[DavidA]

I think the picture shows the new emblem on the front fender. These reportedly are V-8 insignias. Personally, I think they placed them too high on the fender, but that's just my opinion.:thumbsdown:

[DavidA]

Here's a picture of that 2003. You can't really make out what that is on the front fener, but I'd be surprised if it's NOT the V-8 emblem.

[5bird7]

Hate to point this out but on both photos of the 03s, haven't seen any indication of a chrome strip for the hardtop to sit on. Of course this is still early in the game and we probably won't know for sure until they come out.
NOted in the specs that there will be two transmissions available - the one we have currently and one that some had wanted - the Select Shift.

[Gobird]

Yes, that is the V-8 emblem. Don't ask where I got that from but that is what it is.:nervous:

[Gobird]

:smokin:Here is an enlarged pic.

[Duke583]

More and more rumors on the 03's all the time. Is there any "official" site of the options we are hearing about (interiors, trans, engines, etc.). Is it possible to post a color sample of the two new 03 colors?

Thanks

[5bird7]

Ford has listed an overview & specs on their media site but no color charts posted yet.
Ford's media site (http://media.ford.com/products/presskit_display.cfm?vehicle_id=700&press_subsection_id=421&make_id=92)

[Duke583]

Thanks Dot. Verrry interesting. Let us know when pictures and more details are available.
Duke

[5bird7]

This is going to drive me nuts - We probably won't see any real 03s until late December or even January 03 if their delayed production rumors are true. We'll have to rely on their brochures for the colors and those weren't the greatest when the 02 brochures first came out.

[Red]

I havn't seen anything more on the electric fan for 2003 vs our hydraulic setup. Any news on that issue? Duane

[5bird7]

I'll check with one of my resources.

[AZTB]

Here's a site that explains a little more about the 2003 Coral Bird from the Bond movie...

http://media.ford.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=12545

[rlstonejr]

the Bond car gets the neiman wheels!

[Duke583]

Regarding when we might be able to actually see an 03 Bird: is there the possibility of some prototypes being shown at dealers pre introduction meetings prior to the actual production of the 03's in november?

[5bird7]

There might be some shows that Ford will have some pre-productions at but most new car shows aren't until after the first of next year. Ford had special showings of the 02 last summer but don't know if they have anything like that planned for this fall. I would say to keep an eye on the Pebble Beach Concours in August as Ford has shown some new 'bird there since '99

[SixPac]

Maybe TBirdTim has one lined up to show at the Thunderbird Destination??????????????

[Duke583]

A few years ago I was stayng at a large hotel in Dallas, and there happened to be a pre launch sales meeting for Chrysler dealers. In the main ballroom were all the new models which were not to be introduced to the public for a few months. I wandered in and got my first look at the Plymouth Prowler. This was many months before the Prowler was released, but I guess Chrysler wanted to buid excitemant with their dealers prior to launch. I'm guessing that Ford will have the same type of meetings prior to 03 launches of all their 2003 products. If we were to know where those meetings were, maybe we might see an 03 Bird prior to November (?)
Any thoughts?