Neiman Marcus rumor disputed

[rerdmann17]

Re: Neiman Marcus rumor disputed

I knew I have an early car but I did not realize I was in such good company. My black 02 had a birthday on 7/19 and has numbers 1001366 and 1047. I sent in for vanity plates a couple of weeks ago, EARLY 02, and I'm hoping they are available. I've had it 3 years bought it with 43000 and now have 59000. It's been my been my everyday driver since.(no winters)

[My T]

Re: Neiman Marcus rumor disputed

Thank you, Dot. As usual, we can depend on you to come through and provide useful, authentic information. But, I wasn't too far off on some points.

Thanks especially for reminding us all about the recall of so many early production Birds. Also, the long process for releasing one car to each of the dealers all over the country. I do recall now reading about the disparity of the order of vin numbers vs. build dates vs shipping date.

At least we can all agree, the Retro Birds are TEN years old this year. Happy Tenth Birthday to one and all. Blow up a baloon and celebrate!

[rerdmann17]

Re: Neiman Marcus rumor disputed

You knew I would do it, Tom. I sent you to my group site months ago but don't know if you ever found the data posted there, so I have attached the first data. This data was posted by rtbrd aka jodrod, aka Joe.... . It was collected from the owners during the time period of July 2001 thru November 2001 but not on this forum as TBN didn't exist then. It was collected on the BON and those threads were deleted years ago. Quickdraw can probably verify all the data or come close to it.

Not all owners knew their car's build date but did know when they received their cars; the vast majority were stuck in the recall during mid August thru late Sept so delivery dates really didn't start up until late September 2001.

There were blues built in June and July slated to be delivered in July and August that didn't get to their owners until mid October due to the recall. One of those was hobobob's, a close friend of ours, who ordered the same color combo we did. His was built in July & scheduled to be delivered in August but not delivered until mid October. His was the first Thunderbird that was delivered to his dealership. You'll find his on the list.

I also took photos (non-digital) on November 22, 2001 of one being delivered here in North Texas that was a twin to the blue with white top that we had ordered. I've used that photo on my website ever since I took it.

I also have a page with photos of a blue one in the parking lot at Wixom in June 2001 though it would be considered a preproduction model since it has manufacturer plates
http://www.portholeauthority.com/the...02/02blue.html

A side note. No dealer received more than one Thunderbird during the first round of shipments - a Ford directive designed to get the Thunderbird out to all the nation's dealerships equally. The first round lasted thru about the first 4500 or 5000 Thunderbirds, including Canadian shipments.

Dot, are you still adding info to the attached list? If yes, I'll PM mine to you. It's not in the list. Info is from Quickdraw.

[5bird7]

Re: Neiman Marcus rumor disputed

Dick,
Nothing has been added to the lists since RTBRD made a final posting of it back in 2002. It has errors due to method of input (owners and Ford's phone system) of build dates that are different than quickdraw's so the delivery dates are the closest to being accurate. I mainly put it up because it shows that Tbird blues were being built in June and July of 2001.

[5bird7]

Re: Neiman Marcus rumor disputed

Thank you, Dot. As usual, we can depend on you to come through and provide useful, authentic information. But, I wasn't too far off on some points.

Thanks especially for reminding us all about the recall of so many early production Birds. Also, the long process for releasing one car to each of the dealers all over the country. I do recall now reading about the disparity of the order of vin numbers vs. build dates vs shipping date.

At least we can all agree, the Retro Birds are TEN years old this year. Happy Tenth Birthday to one and all. Blow up a baloon and celebrate!

Tom, you have that right! The Retro Birds are TEN this year. Some have already had their 10th birthday.

As you noticed from that list, the recall really messed up any resemblance of order. Several of those on the forums reported knowing or even seeing their car at the railhead only to see them shipped back to the plant for the recall. Then it seemed that first back to the plant meant last out due to the shear numbers that had to be refitted with the correct part and their position in the rows of cars not refitted yet.
We really had to "manage the wait" for these cars.

You'll have a great party, Tom.

[stewbob]

Re: Neiman Marcus rumor disputed

Tom, about time we heard from you,thought you had fallen off the face of the earth

[lasuvidaboy]

Re: Neiman Marcus rumor disputed

Mine turns 10 in August. As I recall, it was built on 8-11-2001.

[My T]

Re: Neiman Marcus rumor disputed

Stewart -
I know that it is off subject, but I did sort of fall off the face of the earth for a while, then I pulled the cord of the reserve chute and happily landed in a good place.

Thanks for commenting.

Will soon be resuming preparations for the big T Bird event in November. Looking forward to seeing you and all the rest of the T Birders again.

[Gobird]

Re: Neiman Marcus rumor disputed

Tom, You know we'll be there!

[Lindy]

Re: Neiman Marcus rumor disputed

[QUOTE=My T;444190]As usual, we can depend on you to come through and provide useful, authentic information. QUOTE]

That's why we call Dot the "Porthole Authority!"

-Lindy

[5bird7]

Re: Neiman Marcus rumor disputed

Come to think of it, I drove a tbird blue in September 2001 that was built in July and used for the "mystery" drives. The 5 colors came to Dallas for their turn in Sept but they originally started the mystery drives in late July 2001.

[snowbird]

Re: Neiman Marcus rumor disputed

Thunderbird Launch event, July 20th , 2001
Also have a picture of 5 or 6 Thunderbird blue's going down assembly line that same week. Would need to scan it first.

[snowbird]

Re: Neiman Marcus rumor disputed

Come to think of it, I drove a tbird blue in September 2001 that was built in July and used for the "mystery" drives. The 5 colors came to Dallas for their turn in Sept but they originally started the mystery drives in late July 2001.

Dot: unless I am mistaken, you may have some pictures on your site that were taken by Paul Hourigan (Hamilton) and taken that same week as the Thunderbird Launch in July of 2001.

[5bird7]

Re: Neiman Marcus rumor disputed

Martin, check the link in message #16. I think those are the photos you're talking about?

I think I may have found the pictures you're referring to:
http://www.portholeauthority.com/the.../02launch.html

[snowbird]

Re: Neiman Marcus rumor disputed

Martin, check the link in message #16. I think those are the photos you're talking about?

I think I may have found the pictures you're referring to:
http://www.portholeauthority.com/the.../02launch.html

The ones I am referring to were taken right inside the plant with cars going down the assembly line. Will get them scanned tomorrow if time allows.