11/29/2023 0 Comments Thunderbird car 50sThe completed one-off generated interest at the time, but had meager power, European looks, and a correspondingly high cost, so it never proceeded to production. Development Ī smaller two-seater sports roadster was developed at the behest of Henry Ford II in 1953 called the Vega. Thunderbird production ended in 1997, then briefly resumed as a two-passenger, marketed from 2002 to 2005.įrom its introduction in 1955 to its final phaseout in 2005, Ford produced over 4.4 million Thunderbirds. Sales were good until the 1990s when large two-door coupes became unpopular. Succeeding generations became larger until the line was downsized in 1977, again in 1980, and once again in 1983. For 1958, the Thunderbird was redesigned with a second row of seats. Ford positioned the Thunderbird as an upscale model and it is credited in developing a new market segment, the personal luxury car. Unlike the Chevrolet Corvette, it was not marketed as a sports car. The Thunderbird entered production for the 1955 model year as a sporty two-seat convertible. Introduced as a two-seat convertible, the Thunderbird was offered variously as a four-seat hardtop coupe, four-seat convertible, five-seat convertible and hardtop, four-door pillared hardtop sedan, six-passenger hardtop coupe, and five-passenger pillared coupe, with the final generation designed again as a two-seat convertible.įord targeted the two-seat Thunderbird as an upscale model, but the 1958 model year design introduced a rear seat and arguably marked the expansion of a market segment eventually known as personal luxury cars, positioned to emphasize comfort and convenience over handling and high-speed performance. The Ford Thunderbird (colloquially called the T-Bird) is a personal luxury car manufactured and marketed by Ford from model years 1955-2005 (with a 1997-2002 hiatus), across 11 generations. Sports car (first and eleventh generations).As the baby boom continued, by 1958, the Thunderbird grew to include a back seat on an all-new frame and body style, making the 1957 model the final 2-seater Ford for the next 25 years. Despite having bench-style seats, only 2 adults fit in the Thunderbird. Power-assisted steering made the car more friendly for casual and city driving. In the top range “F” models, a centrifugal supercharger boosted performance to over 300 hp but only 500 were made.įord fitted 1957 models with wire-spoked wheels with white sidewall tires along with rear fender skirts, giving the appearance of a bigger more luxurious car. Ford boosted the power with a 312 cubic inch engine option with twin 4-barrel carburetors combined with either an automatic transmission or 3-speed manual with overdrive on just 1500 “E” spec cars, such as this Starmist Blue example. These made up the vast majority of the 21,380 cars sold in 1957. Supplied on the base model T-Bird was a 290 cubic inch V8 mated to a 3-speed manual transmission, noted with a “D” designation on the car’s VIN. Superior engine power came with 3 different V8 options offered to buyers on the Ford. While adding weight, the hard roof made road trips quieter and dryer while bodywork made completely of steel gave the car a more solid feel when compared to the ‘Vette. Unlike the Corvette, the first generation of Thunderbirds lacked a retractable soft roof with only a removable hardtop with “port” style side windows to keep out the elements. The car grew 6” longer too, as the trunk was extended to accommodate a spare tire that previously had been attached externally to the rear bumper. Larger tail fins rounded “jet engine” styled taillights, and a bigger front grill were part of the model year restyling in 1957. Ford took a great risk in the development of a 2-seater car as market trends leaned towards larger and heavier cars for the open road, but by utilizing a V8 engine and user-friendly options, the Thunderbird reached a much larger audience due to its superior long-distance abilities and driver amenities. Entering the market in 1955, by the third year of production, the T-Bird was outselling its Chevrolet rival 10 to 1 with several V-8 engine options and styling matching the larger Ford models. One of the longest sports cars built in the 1950s.ĭespite Ford’s long history of offering practical transportation, the Ford Thunderbird of the mid-1950s answered the demand for a V8-powered 2-seater roadster that could take on the Chevrolet Corvette and European sports car imports that were popular with returning war veterans.
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