Retro's with no H.T.

[AyPapiii]

I had a Triumph Stag that also came with a hard top. Driving off after its sale was the only time I saw it with the hardtop on excepting when I drove it in after purchase. I had forgotten how really nice the hard top looked. If I ever get my Thunderbird I am sure it will be the same thing.

I keep a sedan for days when the top cannot be down.

[sumoscooter]

As mentioned earlier, it's definitely just a matter of preference, and then we could just as easily discuss colour options for hartops too. When I was actively looking for my 2002 it had to have a white hardtop since in my opinion, the white top really adds a lot of class to the look of the Thunderbird Blue car. But it's strictly choice, right? Also, being in Ontario Canada, top-down time really won't hit 'comfortably' until mid-June and only last till mid-September, and I want to drive in May and October, so it's top on and enjoy.

[TommyT]

Thanks Ric and I totally understand...To the other replies I understand your actions but here in Florida, we don't experience any of that.During the summer months taking the top off makes it uncomfortable to say the least.During our what could be considered cooler months its just marvelous and totally enjoyable and night time rides top down top off are just real special.Warm ocean breeze stars shining above it's real special !! Take the wife out turn on a little Tony Bennett set the stage it's magical !!!LOL

[Gobird]

If memory serves me right the deluxe model came without a hard top unless your ordered it as an option. If you got a premium the hard top was standard.

[65TBSTEVE]

I worked for an automotive parts manufacturer in the Detroit area in those days and one of the guys in our company called on the company in Frazer, Michigan who made the Thunderbird hardtops for Ford. Cannot remember the name of the company but they went bankrupt about 2005 or so and that may be why the hardtops were hard to get. President of the company’s name was a Larry Wingett but cannot remember company name.

[4LOWBIRDS+7]

I worked for an automotive parts manufacturer in the Detroit area in those days and one of the guys in our company called on the company in Frazer, Michigan who made the Thunderbird hardtops for Ford. Cannot remember the name of the company but they went bankrupt about 2005 or so and that may be why the hardtops were hard to get. President of the company’s name was a Larry Wingett but cannot remember company name.

Losing the source of hardtops played a major part in the cancellation of the 2006 program.

[5bird7]

If memory serves me right the deluxe model came without a hard top unless your ordered it as an option. If you got a premium the hard top was standard.

Sorry, Spence, but the hardtop was an option for the premium models for all 4 years. My own 05 premium was ordered topless by the dealer.

for the deluxe models, the hardtop was an option for the 2002s and 2003s and not available on the 2004s and 2005s.

What is nice though is that the hardtops fit any of the cars, just some adjustments might need to be made at the header when placing a new top on a t-bird.

Oh, the only thing standard as far as the tops are concerned on these cars was the soft top.

[EllisonCal]

Thanks Tommy....I sold it last year, as it was approaching 33K miles, and $18K in the hand was attractive at the time. I still keep one eye open for a Merlot with under 20K miles.

As you know Mecum - Kissimmee is the place for 2002-2005 Thunderbirds and every now and then a low mileage one appears.

[BLACK BEAUTY]

I'm glad I've got my hardtop..I like that look best..but really like the top down too

[Howlandd]

I live in northern Minnesota, Park Rapids area. Drove my 02 to church in Hubbard last Sunday and out to Dorset on Tuesday. Could have done both trips with or without the HT but I put it on around October and take it off in April or May. If the roads are dry, I drive it! Run it through a car wash if I get in to a little wet stuff. Bought it to drive and enjoy it and I do. It will never appreciate enough to make a difference in my retirement, So no garage queen for me. Love the way it looks with and without the HT.

[jerrym3]

For the first 12 years, I'd put the hardtop on every winter. It was a ritual. We'd put the top on my brother/in/law's retro, and then do mine.

For the past few years, I decided not to put it on. Car never sees snow, and only sees rain if a sudden storm pops up. My bro/in/law doesn't have a garage, so he puts the hardtop on in the winter.

I agree that the car looks good with the top on, but considering how little I drive in the NJ winters, winter time good looks really don't matter that much.

Also, since I keep the car in the garage mostly with the top down all summer, I was a bit concerned about having the top in the down position almost the entire year. (But, even in the summer, I do raise it and let it stretch out every now and then.)

Just about to hit the 24,000 mile mark.

[RetroGeorge]

Interesting question Tommy. I wonder about what period of the 4 years of production you could buy a Bird without a HT. I'd bet that half (especially in warm weather states) have their tops stored with years between installation? Love the look of the HT but top down driving always prevents my using it.

Bill hit the nail on the head. If the top was a $5,000 option (I don't know the exact figure), there is surely no need for it in the southern climes. I am in North Texas. Last year, I installed it, and, in 2 weeks, I wish that I hadn't. So, this year, I am not installing it. It is nice to have, but, vs. $5,000 ...

[Quickdraw]

Bill hit the nail on the head. If the top was a $5,000 option (I don't know the exact figure), there is surely no need for it in the southern climes. I am in North Texas. Last year, I installed it, and, in 2 weeks, I wish that I hadn't. So, this year, I am not installing it. It is nice to have, but, vs. $5,000 ...

How about the hardtop for about $2,500? About 90% of new Thunderbird buyers opted for the hardtop, however if those buyers now had the option to skip the hardtop I'm sure many fewer hardtops would have been sold.

[Rondor]

[QUOTE=5bird7;n102057

Oh, the only thing standard as far as the tops are concerned on these cars was the soft top.[/QUOTE]

That just reminded me a friend back in the early '60's bought a '57 and it had no soft top. He seldom took it off as in Fl it can rain almost any time.

I am shocked to learn only 10% did not have a hardtop.

[428PI]

This is the first winter I'm not putting it on. One of my sons helped me get it into the basement and out of the way so it's hard to get it out of the basement now. I hate to sell it though in case the soft top goes "south". I think it looks better with it on but I bought the bird for the top down feature.