New 'Birds?

[Lindy]

Re: New 'Birds?

If Ford gives another rebirth to the T-Bird, IMHO, they ought to pick up where they left off, when they were on the verge of a hide away, electric hard-top and flirting with the turbo. While I would like to see a born-again Thunderbird competitive with the Corvette, just as in the beginning in 1955-57; Ford did, however, answer Corvette with the Ford GT supercar. On the other hand, a properly tuned '03-'05 could compete closely in various ways against most all of the classic STOCK Covettes of the 50's 60's 70's and 80's....

I think our '02-'05 Thunderbirds are just plain classy. It was awesome that Ford did what they should have, by building a great two-seater T-Bird, a real Sport Luxury Car at that, made in the good 'ol U.S. of A. --A true American Classic!

--Lindy

[HEYMON1]

Re: New 'Birds?

amen--lindy

[SixPac]

Re: New 'Birds?

FoMoCo engineer came to Thunderbird Destination back in 2002. He gave a detailed explanation why Ford did not go with the disappearing hard top.

[Indy225]

Re: New 'Birds?

I really think that ford was dabbling in too many other areas at the time, to really drive home the "retro bird" concept. These were not $42,000.00 cars (Our over inflated window sticker). In saying this, I think they are great style, classy, and a hell of a lot of fun to own and drive. So there mistake was our gain as to the limited production. Will they bring it back is another question. It is a lot of coin for such a small segment of buyers. They are in the business to sell cars, lots of them. So I don't think a two seat "Halo" sports car is in the future. Just don't bring out anything retro from the 70's. It will be interesting to see what happens.....

[JAB02LHS]

Re: New 'Birds?

. Just don't bring out anything retro from the 70's. It will be interesting to see what happens.....

1974 Ford Granada Perana

[Indy225]

Re: New 'Birds?

like I said....hey that looks like a Maverick I used to own!!!!!!! I love that vinyl top....

[Indy225]

Re: New 'Birds?

The sad thing is that the factory here in Wixom is "Mothballed". It is sitting Idle just waiting.....Here they are going to start making movies in that plant here in Michigan....God knows the world don't like our cars. I will have the last laugh as we enjoy the hack out of our bird, and I will be burried in it!!!!!! As far as that LATE "70's" thing, I was thinking the Fairmont looking "Insult" they were calling a T-Bird. THAT WAS ROCK BOTTOM!

[billm]

Re: New 'Birds?

Ford could build anything in a four seater resembling anything from 1960 to 1970, and I would be ok owning one, still badged as a thunderbird, but the later models were just too generic, when compared to the 50's models. Could have been called by any other name. Just one man's opinion.

[cool57]

Re: New 'Birds?

I'd sure go for a 2012 Square Bird or Bullet Bird with sports roadster package!

[strangelizard]

Re: New 'Birds?

I still believe the Ford 49' concept car may very well have been the next series of Thunderbird. It's retro look and unusual "powered by Thunderbird" badge notes lent me that original encouragement. However, the present economic situation and the resulting public scrutiny of the "Big 3",as well as the slow market for the 2002-2005 series, might make it hard for Ford to justify the risk, perhaps. But boy, it sure would be sweet.

http://www.supercars.net/Pics?v=y&id...9Concept14.jpg

[cool57]

Re: New 'Birds?

I still believe the Ford 49' concept car may very well have been the next series of Thunderbird. It's retro look and unusual "powered by Thunderbird" badge notes lent me that original encouragement. However, the present economic situation and the resulting public scrutiny of the "Big 3",as well as the slow market for the 2002-2005 series, might make it hard for Ford to justify the risk, perhaps. But boy, it sure would be sweet.
http://www.supercars.net/Pics?v=y&id...9Concept14.jpg

I'd buy one of those in a heartbeat. I think I actually drooled when I first saw it! Ford is doing better than anybody lately, so we may have a shred of hope.

[IEAGRA]

Re: New 'Birds?

Personally I like the 49 concept. Sure beats all the generic-looking FWD cars saturating the market nowadays. This would be a great RWD car in addition to the Mustang and possible future T-bird.

NO 4-DOOR OR 4-SEAT T-BIRDS PLEASE !!!

[HeelBird]

Re: New 'Birds?

I want to think that the Thunderbird name carries enough heritage weight with Ford that the car will return and remain true to its heritage. The car was used as a platform to introduce quite a number of new features over the years, such as the swing away steering wheel, sequential turn signals, coved rear seat, overhead safety console......even the turn signal indicator, as I recall, on maybe the 1969 T-Birds flashed in sequence like the tail lights, and I recall the high mount brake lights (mounted at the edge of the rear glass) were an option in the late 60's. That kind of thing excites me.

The economy will certainly play a major role in any resurrection of the nameplate, but as with the most recent addition the ability to share components with existing underpinnings gives the possibility to tweak and then re-skin the beast.

I'll be in the market for my first new auto since taking delivery of Amadeus in Sept of 2001 come next spring. Right now, don't know what I would buy, but from the current offerings I have built online an SHO Taurus, MKZ hybrid Lincoln, and a Lariat SuperCrew.

Now, to figure out how to pay for another $45k auto!

[AZTB]

Re: New 'Birds?

I posted this comment on the other thread, but will post it here, too. I heard from my rep at the dealer that Ford is considering it once again, but it will more than likely be FWD...

IMO, a FWD Thunderbird (which will be a first for TBird) is NOT a Thunderbird, regardless of what it looks like! I do remember reading a comment from Nancy Gioia that when Ford was first considering the reintroduction of the Bird back in 1997, a FWD platform was considered, but dropped in lieu of the shortened Lincoln LS platform (THANK GOD!). Just my opinion.

[metinsure]

Re: New 'Birds?

Within a year after the Ford Thunderbird was discontinued in 1997, Ford promised that the "Thunderbird would fly again". So while it disappeared from dealer sales lots for a few years, it wasn't long after it was discontinued when we first started hearing about a model being developed and by 2000 the Thunderbird concept was unveiled. At present, I doubt Ford has any Thunderbird under development at all. If they were to bring back the Thunderbird name though, I would hope it would be a nice 2 door coupe that seats 4. That's really the car the Thunderbird was for most of it's existance and that's when Ford sold the most. While I love our retro T-Birds, I would love to have a Thunderbird more like the 1977-1997 Thunderbirds as they were nice cars that were a little more practical and easier to live with on a daily basis.