Photo: Instagram | Jlord8
Besides the Mustang, which is in the seventh generation, topped by the recently unveiled GTD, Ford is not interested in making low-slung models for our market. That's a pity, as they could resurrect several iconic monikers, and the Thunderbird is one of them.
Originally introduced back in 1953 on a brand-new model that was the marque's answer to the Chevy Corvette, the first-generation entered production the following year. It had a front-engine and rear-wheel drive layout, was offered with an open-top view of the sky above, and featured a body-on-frame construction. The engines of choice were a pair of V8 units, with manual and automatic transmissions available with three gears.
Since it was so well received, the Ford Thunderbird survived for a few more generations. In fact, it was continuously made until 1997, when the Blue Oval pulled the plug on the tenth. After a five-year hiatus, they gave it one last shot with the eleventh generation. This one was made until 2005 at the Wixom factory in Michigan. It came as a convertible with an optional hard top available, staying true to the original model's layout. As for the nuts and bolts, most were shared with a couple of Jaguars, the S-Type, and the era's XF, as well as the Lincoln LS.
Regardless of how much one was willing to blow on the last Thunderbird, they had to settle for a single powertrain. It was a 3.9-liter V8 hooked up to a five-speed automatic transmission. The lump was a modified version of Jag's 4.0-liter V8 and was originally rated at 252 hp (256 ps/188 kW) and 267 pound-feet (362 Nm) of torque. The gearbox, on the other hand, had Ford’s signature on it. In later models, the engine was upgraded with variable valve timing and electronic throttle control and put out 280 hp (284 ps/209 kW) and 286 lb-ft (388 Nm). As you can imagine, the performance was not mind-blowing, but it certainly did not disappoint either.
As much as some petrolheads would want Ford to bring back the Thunderbird, the moniker will probably never return. Not on a sports model with a V8 under the hood and rear-wheel drive, anyway. But while the Dearborn company does not seem interested at all in reviving the iconic nameplate, there have been several unofficial attempts over the years to resurrect it. The latest bears jlord8's signature, and it comes in the form of a pair of renderings. Both were based on Aston Martins, and our favorite is the black one, as the other looks a bit too much like the Mustang. We certainly wouldn't mind seeing a real Thunderbird dressed in similar attire, and we think it would probably sell in good numbers if positioned as a more premium take on the pony car, maybe marketed as a Lincoln. But would you buy it?
Since it was so well received, the Ford Thunderbird survived for a few more generations. In fact, it was continuously made until 1997, when the Blue Oval pulled the plug on the tenth. After a five-year hiatus, they gave it one last shot with the eleventh generation. This one was made until 2005 at the Wixom factory in Michigan. It came as a convertible with an optional hard top available, staying true to the original model's layout. As for the nuts and bolts, most were shared with a couple of Jaguars, the S-Type, and the era's XF, as well as the Lincoln LS.
Regardless of how much one was willing to blow on the last Thunderbird, they had to settle for a single powertrain. It was a 3.9-liter V8 hooked up to a five-speed automatic transmission. The lump was a modified version of Jag's 4.0-liter V8 and was originally rated at 252 hp (256 ps/188 kW) and 267 pound-feet (362 Nm) of torque. The gearbox, on the other hand, had Ford’s signature on it. In later models, the engine was upgraded with variable valve timing and electronic throttle control and put out 280 hp (284 ps/209 kW) and 286 lb-ft (388 Nm). As you can imagine, the performance was not mind-blowing, but it certainly did not disappoint either.
As much as some petrolheads would want Ford to bring back the Thunderbird, the moniker will probably never return. Not on a sports model with a V8 under the hood and rear-wheel drive, anyway. But while the Dearborn company does not seem interested at all in reviving the iconic nameplate, there have been several unofficial attempts over the years to resurrect it. The latest bears jlord8's signature, and it comes in the form of a pair of renderings. Both were based on Aston Martins, and our favorite is the black one, as the other looks a bit too much like the Mustang. We certainly wouldn't mind seeing a real Thunderbird dressed in similar attire, and we think it would probably sell in good numbers if positioned as a more premium take on the pony car, maybe marketed as a Lincoln. But would you buy it?
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