How people view our Thunderbirds

[philj]

"Reverse Wedge" means that the bird's silhouette is lower in the back than front. Many cars today copied the Hot Wheels models where the back of the vehicle would be
much higher than the front. I do not like that look. Our birds are just right in my opinion.

[BLACK BEAUTY]

I like the reverse wedge look. However, to my thinking the rear of our cars appears to set too low. An almost weak rear springs kinda look. That is the reason I added one inch spacers at the rear to bring it up. I see better over the hood and feel the handling is improved.

[RBIRD]

Greg, did you have to re-aim the headlights?

RBIRD

[BLACK BEAUTY]

Headlights were fine as was the alignment. I've also got 06 Lincoln LS Sport struts

[Rondor]

My first impression in '02 was it didn't look like the original but immediately reminded me of one. Whether intentional or co-incidence it is sure unique to have that effect. My friends call the retro a simple reminder. It will never have the same impact on someone who wasn't around in the 50's as those who were.

[JerriLampon]

What's a reverse wedgie?

No one got the joke, it seems.

[AZTB]

... It carries an aura that you love nice things, yet are are confident and comfortable enough with who you are to not need something au courant."

au courants...I put those on my bran flakes!

[AZTB]

What's a reverse wedgie?

reverse wedgie.jpeg

[5bird7]

In a sports car forum today folks were talking about what difference a person's car makes to other people. I posted about retro Thunderbirds and got an unexpected reply.

"The thing about this car; is it is different and set apart without implying a member of the rat race.
It has both an implied sense of power and a manifest sensation of tranquility.
It carries an aura that you love nice things, yet are are confident and comfortable enough with who you are to not need something au courant."

I felt that should be shared with the Nest.

Thank you for sharing that, Newman. I might find a place on my website for that comment (homepage comes to mind) so if you can get permission from the author to add his/her name to that quote, I'd appreciate.

I'll add my comments about each line:

The thing about this car; is it is different and set apart without implying a member of the rat race.

Since mine is a daily driver that gets parked with newer cars all the time, I notice that it's easy to spot in the line-up of cars, even ones that are older than it. It never had any copycats in all these years.

It has both an implied sense of power and a manifest sensation of tranquility.

Last night coming home from dinner, was waiting for a red light to make it's change. There was a large white pickup next to me, both of us in the front of the two lines. I wasn't going to "drag race" but I could tell by the sound of his engine, that he was begging for me to put some power on as we started up on the green. I obliged him, but only keeping just enough ahead of him that he kept putting on the power. But, once I reached the speed limit, I backed off and he kept going. Had to show some sense and tranquility with my car.

It carries an aura that you love nice things, yet are are confident and comfortable enough with who you are to not need something au courant."

Yes, there really is nothing that has come out since, that makes me want to change cars. The car still draws very positive comments from strangers even when it's dirty.

[Rays 007 #15]

What is wrong with lowering your car in the rear? Did we not do that in our early years? I did and loved the looks.

[4LOWBIRDS+7]

Headlights were fine as was the alignment. I've also got 06 Lincoln LS Sport struts

If you raised the back, you also lowered the front. Headlamp aim was changed, you may not notice but the headlamp aim is no longer level.

[Sierra977]

Thank you for sharing that, Newman. I might find a place on my website for that comment (homepage comes to mind) so if you can get permission from the author to add his/her name to that quote, I'd appreciate.

Dot, request sent to author and will advise.

Best,
Newman

[RustyFrye]

If you raised the back, you also lowered the front. Headlamp aim was changed, you may not notice but the headlamp aim is no longer level.

Are you saying Black Beauty has not been on the level with us and/or he can no longer see straight?

[4LOWBIRDS+7]

I have no way of knowing.

[BLACK BEAUTY]

Hey boys we're only talking one inch. I had Ford check both the headlights and the alignment both were on target. On another note, I got a $230 speeding ticket upon entering Louisiana for NOLA. Later, Jane got a letter from the local DA there telling us if we paid an extra $130 by cashiers check that the ticket would become a parking ticket! Welcome to Louisiana!