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  • Motor Trend Article

    In the June 2004 issue of Motor Trend, on page 118, the article on Convertibles states, "In 2002, the Ford Thunderbird added 19,356 sales".....how did they get that number? It would have to be a "calendar year" figure, certainly not a model year number, but it gives the impression of poor sales for 2002.
    A few years ago, I think 1999, when the concept Thunderbird was hitting the auto show circuit, Motor Trend did a "Thunderbird Retrospective" article. I found 3 glaring errors in that article and wrote to the magazine about it. I received a reply, something like, "Thank you for your interest in Motor Trend magazine....." ,at this point, I can only remember 2 of the errors, so if someone has that article, I'm sure the 3rd could be found. The two that I do remember were that in "1956, due to concern about the lack of trunk space in the '55, the Thunderbird added an "optional" continental kit"....wrong, they weren't optional. The 2nd was that the 1966 Thunderbird offered an optional 428 engine with 360 horsepower....wrong again, it was 345 horsepower. (I own one). That same year, there was also an article about a "concept" Lincoln Continental that referred back to the Continental Mark II of 1955...these were only produced for the '56/'57 model year.
    You would think that "fact checkers" for these major magzaines could do a better job!

  • #2
    Re: Motor Trend Article

    Same magazine also has letter to editor critical of Ford retro styling. Bashes Tbird along with Mustang, Shelby Cobra and GT 40 as capitalizing on nostalgia but not delivering anything new. Seems to me the guy, maybe can't afford any of them, and, does not have a classic to compare to. In my opinion, the new Thunderbird does indeed capitalize on nostalgia, AND it delivers a contemporary car. I think that is what is intended in J Mays "reterofuturism".

    Steve
    http://www.thunderbirdnest.com/forum...ad.php?t=15130

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    • #3
      Re: Motor Trend Article

      Seems to me that all of the U.S. car companies are coming out with retro styling. I read where a Buick is coming out with the portholes on the fenders. Clearly, Chrysler has had some retro styles.

      Obviously, I am biased, but I think Ford has done a pretty good job. A lot of people looking at the car have made some really nice comments. I haven't met anyone who doesn't like the porthole window on the hard-top.
      Frank
      FEs Tbird
      03 Whisper White, White Top, White Partial Accent, Chrome Hood Bezel, Porthole Emblem Decals, Visor Emblem Decals, Tbird Floormats, TBN Grill Badge

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      • #4
        Re: Motor Trend Article

        so are you saying all 56's had the continental kit?
        king of the one liners and prince of the messy garage.

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        • #5
          Re: Motor Trend Article

          I thought the 66 428 was 335HP????
          2002 Blue / full accent 2Y119877
          http://www.tbirdregistry.com/viewdat...tryNumber=9768
          2004 Silver / red partial 4Y101591
          http://www.tbirdregistry.com/viewdat...ryNumber=25629

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          • #6
            Re: Motor Trend Article

            Yes, all of the '56 Thunderbirds came with a continental kit, which required the new bumper arrangement with the exhaust exiting at the sides. There was no area in the trunk with a "hold down" for a spare.

            In 1966, the 390 c.i.d. engine horsepower was increased from 300 to 315. The 428 c.i.d. option added 30 horsepower to that, ending up with 345.

            I have seen the new "top of the line" Buick with the "portholes" but can't understand why they only have 3. The Roadmasters of the 1950's all had 4 portholes, while the specials had 3....go figure.

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            • #7
              Re: Motor Trend Article

              buick portholes mimic the number of cylinders -- 3 per side is a six, 4 per side is an eight. Alan
              :tbn: 2003 red / red / full red insert

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              • #8
                Re: Motor Trend Article

                The Buicks of the '50's all had 8 cylinder engines, and the specials only had 3???..I had a '56 Roadmaster as my first car at age 15.....a real tank, but a beauty two door hardtop Blue, White and Blue.

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                • #9
                  Re: Motor Trend Article

                  I drove a '57 Century thru most of college, graduating in '63. It was a green 2 door hardtop. Wish I had it today.

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                  • #10
                    Re: Motor Trend Article

                    I had a 1968 cobra jet with a 428 and it was rated at 335HP although it put out quite a bit more. That is why I was supprised at the 345HP in a 66.
                    I had a girlfriend with a 1963 Merc Marauder with a 390 and it was rated at 325HP.
                    2002 Blue / full accent 2Y119877
                    http://www.tbirdregistry.com/viewdat...tryNumber=9768
                    2004 Silver / red partial 4Y101591
                    http://www.tbirdregistry.com/viewdat...ryNumber=25629

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: Motor Trend Article

                      Originally posted by Steve Legel
                      Same magazine also has letter to editor critical of Ford retro styling. Bashes Tbird along with Mustang, Shelby Cobra and GT 40 as capitalizing on nostalgia but not delivering anything new. Seems to me the guy, maybe can't afford any of them, and, does not have a classic to compare to. In my opinion, the new Thunderbird does indeed capitalize on nostalgia, AND it delivers a contemporary car. I think that is what is intended in J Mays "reterofuturism".

                      Steve

                      Hmmm, nostalgia is the biggest reason I bought the car. Was not even born when the original came out. But I have a facination with the 50's. So the 2003 Thunderbird is just what I needed.
                      My Bimmer is BACK!!!
                      2003Premium Mtn. ShadowGrey/GreyHt
                      Black ink interior/Black Ink Accent grp.

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                      • #12
                        Re: Motor Trend Article

                        Originally posted by Elijahbird7
                        The Buicks of the '50's all had 8 cylinder engines, and the specials only had 3???..I had a '56 Roadmaster as my first car at age 15.....a real tank, but a beauty two door hardtop Blue, White and Blue.
                        I had a 1952 Buick Special 2 door in the late 60's.. it had a straight-8 OHV engine, 3 speed on the column. The radio had tubes the size of small milk bottles and a heater core under the seat. It was quite a machine. Idiot stick me didn't realize what I had and just ran it to death... but I'd give most anything to have that thing back in the condition it was when I got it.

                        Live & learn...

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                        • #13
                          Buick "portholes"

                          If I remember correctly, they weren't called "portholes", they were/are "ventiports"...

                          ****** added *******

                          Just found a site that says they first appeared in 1949...and, though "officially" called ventiports, they were also called portholes.

                          http://www.nationmaster.com/encyclopedia/Buick
                          Last edited by REDH0TR0D; May 13, 2004, 07:35 PM.
                          Dave
                          2014 Mercedes Benz C350 Coupe (Black)
                          2014 Jeep Cherokee (Silver)

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