ThunderBirds Return ???????????

[phil]

Re: ThunderBirds Return ???????????

if they dont make them anymore, someday the value of ours will be wirth more, plus if a new one comes out that I like I may have to but it, it is nice being satisfied with the one I have.

[PaulD]

Re: ThunderBirds Return ???????????

I doubt Ford has any near term plans to crank up a new bird. However, I do believe the auto makers always have a set of contigency plans set up that allows them to quickly move toward a production environment if/when the market looks right. To do that, they would have some concepts already pulled together along with an idea on what platform they would use. If the situation was right, they could dust off their plans and do any last minute changes then do the final design for production.
My fear is that they would do it all wrong with minimal customer input and produce a wimpy car that does not do justice to the TBird icon.

[Rondor]

Re: ThunderBirds Return ???????????

I am skeptical too and don't see it in Ford's imediate future in trems of what they are already doing. If they wrer to consider it I would hope they would read TBN ,if any of us are still around by then. I do think that bi-gone era's will make a comeback. This so-called sustainable living movement is a move in that direction, in terms of living like we did 50-75 yearss ago. Just picture a Model A with computer chips. Works for me

[DudleyM]

Re: ThunderBirds Return ???????????

Chrysler was more inclined to niche vehicles than Ford. If it wasn't bringing in the $$, it didn't last. Exception being the larger TBirds that had higher production numbers. I regret that they didn't stick with the TBird nameplate on only a 2-seater and keep it as a niche vehicle.

[Ol'Dave]

Re: ThunderBirds Return ???????????

Still though.... ya gotta admit... It would be cool to see a derivative off that EVO style, evolve into the next generation T-Bird .... or Mustang :-)

[00mustng]

Re: ThunderBirds Return ???????????

....Dave....Have you seen what Ford has done to the front and rear of the 2013 Mustang?

[BITWTB]

Re: ThunderBirds Return ???????????

There's still hope for a future Thunderbird as long as we don't see Ford advertising the brand listed for sale on eBay.

[Ol'Dave]

Re: ThunderBirds Return ???????????

....Dave....Have you seen what Ford has done to the front and rear of the 2013 Mustang?

...and have a Grabber Blue Boss 302 on order!! Gonnoa have one of the LAST real Mustangs. Next generation will lose the Big Blocks. Granted they will probably be pwerful and efficent... but some of us remain Dinosaur's and Old School.

[jerrym3]

Re: ThunderBirds Return ???????????

Based on what future vehicles will most likely be, I don't think I'd want to see a new TBird anyway.

Just enjoy the history.

Have to give credit to GM, with the Corvette, and Chrysler, with the Viper, although I have to wonder how long the Viper can keep going.

[007Cruiser]

Re: ThunderBirds Return ???????????

Aaron has issued a clarification:

Hello Everyone,

We have received some mis-construed information about
the possiblility that Ford will debut a new Tbird.

It seems that the email that the Ford representative sent to
Glen on March 6, 2012, stating that a new Tbird would be coming out
to the market, was actually a canned letter response. Ford
wrote the exact same lines in a press release, dated in 2001.

Although, I would like to believe that Ford will be coming out with the
Tbird, sooner than later, it seems that there really is no new news of
a new, Tbird debut. I do believe that Ford will come back out with
another Tbird model, but probably not anytime soon. Thanks to everyone
for all of the email responses. With all of your help, we managed
to get down to the bottom of this one, pretty quickly.

Here is the original "post script" that I had previously sent:

"Our friend, and fellow Tbirder, Glen Lewis, contacted Ford this year and asked them about the possiblility of the
Thunderbird making it back into production any time in the near future. This is what they had to say;

Dear Glen,

Thank you for contacting Ford Motor Company. We appreciate the time you have taken to write us.

The Thunderbird is a timeless classic, an important part of Ford Motor Company’s heritage, and this
country's automotive history. At this time, we do not have an estimated date for when the new Thunderbird
will be available at dealerships.

The Ford Thunderbird will make its return as a concept car. The new concept car is an indication of where
we’re headed with the Thunderbird when it goes back into production for the new millennium. It's also just
one example of the exciting and dynamic new cars we plan to introduce in the future.

Our Marketing Program Headquarters can make it easier to purchase your next Ford or Lincoln vehicle by
informing you of all the current incentives available. We can also send out a new vehicle brochure for any
vehicle(s) that may interest you.

Thank you for contacting Ford Motor Company.

Sincerely,
Norma
Ford Motor Company
Ford Marketing Program Headquarters"

Happy Tbirding,
Aaron, Owner, Thunderbird Concepts

[hite337]

Re: ThunderBirds Return ???????????

I just wish FLM would value consumer opinions and ideas a little more than they do. When suggestions are made, even in large numbers, they are often ignored. I too hope for a T-Bird revival but the future looks dim for now.

[Lindy]

Re: ThunderBirds Return ???????????

That's exactly why we collectors are so enthused! The renovated T-Bird was limited to 2002-5 with reletively low production numbers.

Lindy

[BirdsAndBugs]

Re: ThunderBirds Return ???????????

In my opinion, the 2002-2005 Thunderbirds were the last hurrah for the nameplate. In my opinion the nameplate becomes less valuable the longer it goes unused. Think of the Ford Five Hundred a few years ago. Except for some Ford or classic car enthusiasts, how many people realized that name was used back in the late 60's and early 70's with the Ford Galaxie and had connections to some other Fords within that same era as well? The Taurus name was more familiar to consumers now.

Just my opinion.

[Rondor]

Re: ThunderBirds Return ???????????

I have yet to meet a collector who would fit Fords mold of a normal person. I approach to cars and appreciation of them matches less than 5% of the buying public, and that's perfectly fine with me, just like dinosoars and old school

[jerrym3]

Re: ThunderBirds Return ???????????

We'll probably see a Ford Granada before we ever see a new Ford Thunderbird.

As for the Ford 500 name, agreed.

I would rather have seen the Ford Galaxie 500XL name brought back. It seems like this is an era of letters/numbers rather than names, and "Galaxie 500XL" still has a nice ring to it.

Then again, I am biased.