come back Ford Thunderbird

[BITWTB]

Re: come back Ford Thunderbird

Rear seats/cargo space. I ran a couple of Volvo 1800ESs many moons ago. They had rear seats (as did the coupes), but I kept the backs folded down 99% of the time and made it a 2 seater all the time. Incidentally, I had more head and leg room in the Volvo than the Thunderbird, but then, the roof didn't come off.

[Bill Brown]

Re: come back Ford Thunderbird

I don't see another Bird in my future no matter what they do if anything. I'll keep what I have.

Amen brother Spence. This is my plan as well.

[00mustng]

Re: come back Ford Thunderbird

.....This ship has already sailed......a long time ago......

[jerrym3]

Re: come back Ford Thunderbird

Back seats can also be used for carrying things other than people.

[V8 Cat]

Re: come back Ford Thunderbird

There IS a market for luxury 2-seat autos, Cadillac CTS or Jaguar XE, for instance. Too small, and they become skateboards (Miata M5, for example). Effectively, Camero and Mustang are 2-seaters--I mean, does anyone use the back seats regularly (excluding in-laws)? It can happen, but I'd really hate to see the days of the '67-80 era when T-Birds were essentially relabeled versions of other models (no offense, anyone--just observations of divergence from the original idea).

I love two seat sports cars, but the two other cars I have besides the Tbird have back seats that are really not fit for anybody to go any distance in them - BUT THEY ARE THERE JUST IN CASE. I think that's the way potential purchasers look at sports/GT cars when buying. They ask themselves can I just live with two seats? Some of them want the two seaters, but decide they just need a rear seat whether they use it much or not. Cadillac made the XLR which was a very nice luxury two seater, and they could not sell enough to continue production. Then you have the Tbird that failed to meet sales goals Most two seat cars become "toys" and in this economy there is not a big market for "toys". I don't see an American car company jumping into the two seat sports car market in a long time. If you want an American car of that type, you are stuck with Corvette.

[AZTB]

Re: come back Ford Thunderbird

While I am sorry to see the TBird name pass away, and I believe it has, I was much sadder to see Mercury die.
I've owned more Birds than Mercs, but that car was a part of my growing up.
One afternoon drive in the early 50's in a 49 or 50 Merc black convertible and I was hooked on cars for life.

I felt the same about Olds and Pontiac. Pontiac was the only manufacturer who never produced big-block/small-block V8's. The O.D. of all their engines, from the 287 to the 455, was the same, which allowed not only parts exchange but also sneaky racing!

[AZTB]

Re: come back Ford Thunderbird

While I agree with your statements in general, Wallaby, I rather like the Miata. It's held its niche just fine and has a very loyal following. I drove the Honda S 2000 back in 2001 prior to purchasing the MB 2-seater and loved the car, but rumors of its demise scared me off. Porsche's current Cayman series is a 2-seater and is the darling of the racing set (and also gets rave reviews from MT, C/D, etc.), but Porsche's bread & butter is the 911 and Cayenne.

[jerrym3]

Re: come back Ford Thunderbird

While I am sorry to see the TBird name pass away, and I believe it has, I was much sadder to see Mercury die.

I've owned more Birds than Mercs, but that car was a part of my growing up.

One afternoon drive in the early 50's in a 49 or 50 Merc black convertible and I was hooked on cars for life.

[BITWTB]

Re: come back Ford Thunderbird

There IS a market for luxury 2-seat autos, Cadillac CTS or Jaguar XE, for instance. Too small, and they become skateboards (Miata M5, for example). Effectively, Camero and Mustang are 2-seaters--I mean, does anyone use the back seats regularly (excluding in-laws)? It can happen, but I'd really hate to see the days of the '67-80 era when T-Birds were essentially relabeled versions of other models (no offense, anyone--just observations of divergence from the original idea).

[AZTB]

Re: come back Ford Thunderbird

This is my first and last T bird, love it glad I got it would never sell it but one is enough. I could consider the new Camaro convertible for my next car. Every time one passes by they catch my eye.

They are a great looking car, Phil. Someone who works near me has a maroon one and everytime I see it, I drool (IMO, it looks MUCH better on the street than the current 'Stang).

[toysax]

Re: come back Ford Thunderbird

We purchased our bird from a dentist who had 3 children and he decided it didn't fit his family! His lost was my gain!!

[Rondor]

Re: come back Ford Thunderbird

Wow! I have read the posts on this thread thus far, and cannot believe that no one has noticed that Ford already revived the 1958 "square bird'!

As you will see below:

Lindy

At least it's square
I think the economy over next 5-10 years will dictate everything Ford does as well as their buyers

[phil]

Re: come back Ford Thunderbird

This is my first and last T bird, love it glad I got it would never sell it but one is enough. I could consider the new Camaro convertible for my next car. Every time one passes by they catch my eye.

[Gobird]

Re: come back Ford Thunderbird

I don't see another Bird in my future no matter what they do if anything. I'll keep what I have.

[FUN X 3]

Re: come back Ford Thunderbird

I would love to see them come up with a sporty but luxurious 4-seater, a modern version of the early-60s rocket Bird. I seriously doubt that Ford would ever try the 2-seater version again, not enough potential sales there.