Who knew about this?

[AZTB]

Re: Who knew about this?

I rode in a yellow one with a full accent interior in March 2001 through a dealer here in Phoenix...it was part of the promotional tour before the release of the Birds.

[steelblue5505]

Re: Who knew about this?

Great stuff here! I find all of this very interesting history of the the very early Retros.
Thanks for opening this up.

[StevenM]

Re: Who knew about this?

Yes, great information and some history and insight at the time the retro Tbird was being released. Nice to know stuff. Thanks for sharing. Just what TBN does!

[5bird7]

Re: Who knew about this?

Where do the 200 N-M cars fit into this?

I think Quickdraw covered that question in his Useless Facts... thread at one time. trying to search it now.

[BLACK BEAUTY]

Re: Who knew about this?

I love a good history lesson

[Quickdraw]

Re: Who knew about this?

Hermann, Ron (or others from Ford) may correct me on this I don't think crash units had regular normal VIN numbers. I recall someone mentioning a very early build prototype (pre 3/14/2001) with a Lincoln VIN.

Newman, The first two (later destroyed) NM units were built on 3/14/2001, the first day of Thunderbird production. These (2Y100245 and 2Y100246) were out of VIN sequence with the rest of the 200 NMs (VINs 2Y100026 thru 2Y100225). Regular production of the 200 NMs began on 6/11/2001 and the very first NM saleable VIN was 2Y100162.

Jim,
Could that ride have been in May 2001? The very first saleable yellow with full yellow interior was built on 5/10/2001. Prior to this, maybe even a year or more earlier, Ford had prototypes or various colors circulating to build up interest. Nothing built before 3/14/2001 had a regular Thunderbird VIN number or could have been sold to the public.

[clenet]

Re: Who knew about this?

I never buy museum cars.

Why would you not buy a museum car? Just asking... as I have never heard of anyone say that. I have heard of people not buying auction cars.

[4LOWBIRDS+7]

Re: Who knew about this?

Why would you not buy a museum car? Just asking... as I have never heard of anyone say that. I have heard of people not buying auction cars.

You pay too much up front and then it is hard to justify driving. I like to buy and roll them on fun trips.

[Rondor]

Re: Who knew about this?

I agree with Ron; To me a museum car is a whole nother class and only for looking at. Like a piece of art on a wall.

[RustyFrye]

Re: Who knew about this?

.....

[HKS]

Re: Who knew about this?

Hermann, Ron (or others from Ford) may correct me on this I don't think crash units had regular normal VIN numbers. I recall someone mentioning a very early build prototype (pre 3/14/2001) with a Lincoln VIN.
Newman, The first two (later destroyed) NM units were built on 3/14/2001, the first day of Thunderbird production. These (2Y100245 and 2Y100246) were out of VIN sequence with the rest of the 200 NMs (VINs 2Y100026 thru 2Y100225). Regular production of the 200 NMs began on 6/11/2001 and the very first NM saleable VIN was 2Y100162.
Jim,
Could that ride have been in May 2001? The very first saleable yellow with full yellow interior was built on 5/10/2001. Prior to this, maybe even a year or more earlier, Ford had prototypes or various colors circulating to build up interest. Nothing built before 3/14/2001 had a regular Thunderbird VIN number or could have been sold to the public.

Thanks very much Harry,
My memory tells me, right after posting, that I asked the crash test question a year ago or so. I appreciate all the info on the NM cars too.
HKS

[HKS]

Re: Who knew about this?

I recall someone mentioning a very early build prototype (pre 3/14/2001) with a Lincoln VIN.

So, no beautiful Thunderbird Blue Thunderbirds were destroyed by crash tests.

HKS

[AZTB]

Re: Who knew about this?

Jim,
Could that ride have been in May 2001? The very first saleable yellow with full yellow interior was built on 5/10/2001. Prior to this, maybe even a year or more earlier, Ford had prototypes or various colors circulating to build up interest. Nothing built before 3/14/2001 had a regular Thunderbird VIN number or could have been sold to the public.

I am pretty sure it was March (too hot in May for top-down driving that time of day), but the car was a promotional/prototype Bird, not one for sale. Dealer said it was one of several being trailered around the country, and he had told me they would have it at their dealer for only about 24 hours before it moved on. He called me at work, and I left my desk to go and see it. I then special ordered a yellow, full-accent interior from him - would later buy a TBblue from another dealer.

[5bird7]

Re: Who knew about this?

I am pretty sure it was March (too hot in May for top-down driving that time of day), but the car was a promotional/prototype Bird, not one for sale. Dealer said it was one of several being trailered around the country, and he had told me they would have it at their dealer for only about 24 hours before it moved on. He called me at work, and I left my desk to go and see it. I then special ordered a yellow, full-accent interior from him - would later buy a TBblue from another dealer.

It's quite possible as Ford presented the first 5 colors in Michigan at the Detroit Auto Show on January 8, 2001. After that they probably put them in trailers to take around the country to promote orders. They did have a black one in Fort Worth on March 9, 2001 as I do have pics of it. Forgot all about those pics.

and on March 25, 2001, I find I also have pictures of a white one at the Dallas Auto Show.

[5bird7]

Re: Who knew about this?

Here's the photos of the white one at the Dallas Auto Show, March 25, 2001.