Limited Edition models

[2K2BIRD]

Re: Limited Edition models

I've said it before and I'll say it again, other than the NM, 007, PCR & Cashmere models, the only thing that limited any color was the number of people/dealers that wanted to order one that color. No doubt Ford would have been happy to build a whole lot more of any of them.

So, while the low production numbers of certain colors may or may not make them more "valuable" in the future, what it meant in the beginning is that not that many people wanted them. My guess is because they knew full well from the very beginning that "resale red" and "classic black" are the FASTEST and most pleasing to the eye, either in person or in photos. And that my friends is why they were offered each year during production of our beloved T-birds.

[JAB02LHS]

Re: Limited Edition models

What mystery? They took the leftover IY and mixed in some leftover EB to come up with IG. Waste not, want not.

No they just sent some cars to Earl Schieb to be painted IY and IG is what they got back!

[wcoates]

Re: Limited Edition models

As I've said in my recent intro, I've been a GM employee for years and consequently bought many GM vehicles. Three Cadillac Allantes has been my latest toys. At 21430 made over seven years it was limited. GM played with the color schemes also.

The similarities between these two programs is remarkable. We waited years for the Allante to become collectible (still waiting). Guys it is time to start putting parts on the shelf IMHO. The desireable/saleable cars in the future are going to be the well cared for babies of members of this organization regardless of color or limited edition.

After only a month I'm not ready to declare this my favorite toy ever but so far it has a real shot!

[5bird7]

Re: Limited Edition models

I've said it before and I'll say it again, other than the NM, 007, PCR & Cashmere models, the only thing that limited any color was the number of people/deaslers that wanted to order one that color. No doubt Ford would have been happy to build a whole lot more of any of them.

...

Spot on.

[007Cruiser]

Re: Limited Edition models

No they just sent some cars to Earl Schieb to be painted IY and IG is what they got back!

I don't think so as I haven't seen any brush marks.

[007Cruiser]

Re: Limited Edition models

Originally Posted by 2K2BIRD
I've said it before and I'll say it again, other than the NM, 007, PCR & Cashmere models, the only thing that limited any color was the number of people/deaslers that wanted to order one that color. No doubt Ford would have been happy to build a whole lot more of any of them.

...
So no one liked the color?

[Rondor]

Re: Limited Edition models

Like many of you pointed out theese cars are full of peculiar idiosyncracies, which makes them even more unique. I too am fascinated by Alliente, but they are so rare I never see one, let alone one for sale.

[Billie]

Re: Limited Edition models

Just bought myself a birthday gift, a 2002 Whisper White in showroom condition with only 14,000 miles.
I consider this to be a limited edition, which my family all want me to will it to them. lol.

[2DRBRD]

Re: Limited Edition models

I have been wondering why you call the '05 Inca Gold a spring color. When I bought my "04 in October 2004 (T-Bird registry number 13,000, there was a new "05 on the showroom floor. It was Inca Gold and looked to be the same color as the Fort Knox Gold 2000 Focus we previously owned.

[keithwand]

Re: Limited Edition models

According to Auto Color Library there is no Fort Knox Gold for a 2000 Ford.
IG matches the '55 or '57 Tbird color.
Unless IG and IY are side by side even I have a hard time identifying which is which.
I would have guessed the picture of the one on Mecum was IG.

[2K2BIRD]

Re: Limited Edition models

...So no one liked the color?

Well, I wouldn't go that far....but apparently some colors weren't popular enough for people to specifically order them for themselves or for dealers to speculate that they could sell them within a reasonable time frame.

In the case of Inca Gold only 82 original customers (either consumers or dealers) took the plunge out of the probably 3000-4000 built in the spring of 2005, so I would say it definitely had limited appeal. I highly doubt Ford ran out of paint. I'm betting they would have loved to build a few thousand more, but alas there was no demand.

[2K2BIRD]

Re: Limited Edition models

I have been wondering why you call the '05 Inca Gold a spring color. When I bought my "04 in October 2004 (T-Bird registry number 13,000, there was a new "05 on the showroom floor. It was Inca Gold and looked to be the same color as the Fort Knox Gold 2000 Focus we previously owned.

I believe you are confusing Inca Gold with Bronze (which is misnamed - as it certainly would be called gold by most normal people).

Inca Gold is really a pale yellow with a very slight greenish tint. Think of a diaper's contents and you are getting close, in fact the workers at the Wixom assembly plant were calling it "baby poop yellow" when we visited there in June of 2005. Actually the word "poop" is sanitized for the forum, if you know what I mean.

[5bird7]

Re: Limited Edition models

As Paul states,
Inca gold is not the bronze color which was available all year long.
Here's the Inca Gold next to an Inspiration Yellow:



Elle has the Bronze 05 color in her signature.

[5bird7]

Re: Limited Edition models

ok - here's my observations:

When Ford first announced the colors for 2002 in late 2000, IY(inspiration yellow) was going to be made for the first half of production and TB (thunderbird blue) was going be made in the 2nd half. Demand at the beginning of orders for the TB in early 2001, had them nix that plan so both colors were made all year long and there was no "Spring color" for 2002.

2003: DSB was to be ended when the 007s started and a spring color was possible but due to the very late start on the 03s (November instead of July), 007 Production started in mid Dec. and ended in March and DSB came back again for the remainder of the model year.

04: Vintage Mint Green (VMG) was the early fashion color, production stopped on that color when the PCR special edition started in mid-Dec. Production on the PCR ended in March and the Spring color of LIB (light ice blue)started in mid April.

05:Medium Steel Blue was to be the early color, with the Cashmere taking it's place from mid-Dec to the end of March, then the spring color of Inca Gold was offered. As it turned out, Ford decided to bring the MSB back for the spring along with the Inca gold but with some restrictions on what could be ordered with the MSB and they fulfilled all the orders for the cashmere thru to the end of production of the Tbird. The Inca Gold started production in mid April.

Did you follow that?

The most limited time period for any of the colors was for the Light Ice Blue and the Inca Gold. Both colors only had 2 1/2 months of production time, 1/2 of April, May, and June. The 007 and the PCR had 3 months. I don't count the NM as it started in June and ended in August.

The ordering period for the LIB and the IG started in early March and ended at the end of April, however, thru the diligence of a TBN member trying to order an IG, the IG order time was extended another week, into May.

[islandtime]

Re: Limited Edition models

I believe you are confusing Inca Gold with Bronze (which is misnamed - as it certainly would be called gold by most normal people).

Thus, Charley's comment when I brought Goldilocks home that first day: "I thought you said you ordered bronze! That car is GOLD!"
He hated it, but has grown fond of her since then.