Ford Thunderbird
Ford Thunderbird | |
---|---|
Production period: | 1955-1997 2002-2005 |
Class : | Sports car |
Body versions : | Coupé , roadster |
The Ford Thunderbird was a sporty-oriented car model offered by the US car manufacturer Ford from 1955 to 1997 and again from 2002 to 2005 .
The car, known for short as the T-Bird , is one of the classics of American automotive engineering. It symbolizes the 1950s and 1960s in the United States . The name “Thunderbird” (English: “Thunderbird”) stands for one of the longest consistently used product names in automotive and industrial history, comparable to Corvette or Mustang .
history
In the beginning, the Thunderbird (1955–1957) was still a pure sporty two-seater and was placed as a competitor to the Chevrolet Corvette . The V8 engine that the Corvette only got later spoke in favor of the Thunderbird.
The later models (1958–1969) had the characteristic angular shape of the mid-1960s. The engine output grew from around 150 to over 300 hp, and the four-seater vehicles were significantly larger than the original model.
From 1968 to 1971 the Thunderbird was also available as a four-door version, with the rear doors opening in opposite directions - suicide doors like the Lincoln Continental from 1961–1970. At this point at the latest, the vehicles were officially available as a maximum of six seats. But there were also five-seater combinations with three front and two rear seats. At least for the vehicles from 1967–1971, it is true that they performed better than the competition from GM and Chrysler in terms of driving behavior and consumption .
In the 1980s and 1990s, however, the car lost more and more of its "face" and significance. Size and performance remained good in relation to other vehicles, but no longer had a technical advantage as in previous years. The engines in the 1980s were R4 turbo engines as well as V6 and V8 engines. There were supercharged V6, V8 and V6 engines through the late 1980s and 1990s.
Despite the changing consumer behavior, which brought SUVs and pickups on the rise, the Thunderbird had good sales figures until the 1990s. At the same time, personal luxury cars became less and less important.
With the last edition, which was produced from model year 2002 to the end of 2005, a reminiscence of the original version of this car was created, which is one of the most legendary automobiles in the world.
Thunderbird generations by model year
"Classic Birds" (1955–1957)
The original and now iconic Thunderbird two-seater was planned by Ford as an alternative to European sports cars, namely the Jaguar XK 140 . The hardtop of the 57 model became famous with its round porthole windows on the side .
The Thunderbird was powered by a newly designed V8 engine with a displacement of 4.8 liters (292 cui) which, with its four-way carburetor, developed 193 SAE hp (142 kW). A three-speed gearbox took over the power transmission as standard; A four-speed overdrive gearbox and a Ford-O-Matic automatic were available at extra cost.
In 1956 the Thunderbird was slightly redesigned. Features were the external spare wheel at the rear, wind deflectors on the A-pillars and ventilation slots on the front fenders. The 4.8 liter was now specified with 200 to 202 SAE PS, new was a "Thunderbird Special" V8 with 5.1 liters (312 cui), which made 215 with automatic 225 SAE PS.
The 1957 model got a major facelift with more accentuated tail fins and a one-piece bumper / grille combination at the front; the spare wheel was back in the trunk. The 4.8-liter was given with 212, the 5.1-liter with 245 SAE PS; In addition, a compressor variant of this machine was added to the range that produced 300 SAE PS.
Model year | number of pieces | Price from US $ |
---|---|---|
1955 | 16,155 | 2944 |
1956 | 15,631 | 3151 |
1957 | 21,380 | 3408 |
"Square Birds" (1958-1960)
With the larger, four-seat Thunderbird, Ford created the class of Personal Luxury Cars .
From model year 1958, the Thunderbird was no longer a sports two-seater, but a comfortable, large four to five-seater, which was offered as a coupé and a convertible. The new coupé made its debut in January 1958 and the convertible in June 1958; the models were a good 40 centimeters longer and almost 500 kilograms heavier than their predecessors.
The 1.7-ton car was powered by a new 5.8-liter V8 (352 cui) that had a quadruple carburetor with 221 kW (300 SAE PS).
The 1959 models received only minor visual changes and a seven-liter V8 (430 cui), available on request and only with automatic transmission, which came from the sister brand Lincoln and developed 257 kW (350 SAE-PS).
For the 1960 model year, only details such as the radiator grille and chrome strips were changed. A sunroof was now available for the coupé at an additional cost, which 2,536 cars received.
Model year | number of pieces | Price from US $ |
---|---|---|
1958 | Coupé: 35,758 Convertible: 2134 |
Coupé: 3630 Convertible: 3914 |
1959 | Coupé: 57,195 Convertible: 10,261 |
Coupé: 3696 Convertible: 3979 |
1960 | Coupé: 80,938 Convertible: 11,860 |
Coupé: 3755 Convertible: 4222 |
Technical data Ford Thunderbird, models 1960 | ||
---|---|---|
Ford Thunderbird | 5.8 | 7.0 |
Engine: | 8-cylinder V-engine (four-stroke), fork angle 90 ° | |
Displacement: | 5766 cc | 7045 cc |
Bore × stroke: | 101.6 x 88.9 mm | 109.2 x 94 mm |
Performance at 1 / min: | 224 kW (304 SAE PS) at 4600 |
261 kW (355 SAE PS) at 4400 |
Max. Torque at 1 / min: | 516 Nm at 2800 | 653 Nm at 2800 |
Compression: | 9.6: 1 | 10.05: 1 |
Mixture preparation: | 1 quadruple carburetor | |
Valve control: | OHV , chain | |
Cooling: | Water cooling | |
Transmission: | Three-speed transmission aW three-speed automatic Cruise-O-Matic rear-wheel drive |
Three-speed automatic Cruise-O-Matic rear-wheel drive |
Front suspension: | Wishbones, coil springs | |
Rear suspension: | Rigid axle, semi-elliptical leaf springs | |
Brakes: | Drum brakes all around, servo | |
Steering: | Recirculating ball steering, servo-assisted | |
Body: | Sheet steel, self-supporting | |
Track width front / rear: | 1524/1448 mm | |
Wheelbase: | 2870 mm | |
Dimensions: | 5215 x 1956 x 1334-1349 mm | |
Empty weight: | 1760-1843 kg | |
Top speed: | approx. 170-180 km / h | approx. 180-200 km / h |
0-100 km / h: | n / A | |
Consumption (liters / 100 kilometers): | approx. 16-22 | approx. 17-24 |
"Bullet Birds" (1961–1963)
The Thunderbird received a new body in a rounded design for 1961, which was slightly heavier than that of the previous models. From this model year, automatic transmission, power steering and brake booster were standard equipment on all Thunderbirds. The V8 was enlarged to 6.4 liters (390 cui) and made 300, in the more highly compressed "Special" version 375 and equipped with three double carburetors instead of one quadruple carburetor 401 SAE-PS.
In 1962, the basic V8 was supplemented by a 340 SAE hp variant with three double carburetors. The Thunderbird Landau Coupé with a standard vinyl roof was also new, and the convertible was joined by the open Sport Roadster with a fiberglass cover over the rear seat area and real wire wheels.
In 1963 the 6.4 liter was available with 300, 330 or 340 SAE PS. The Sport Roadster experienced its second and final year.
Model year | number of pieces | Price from US $ |
---|---|---|
1961 | Coupé: 62,535 Convertible: 10,516 |
Coupé: 4170 Convertible: 4637 |
1962 | Coupé: 68,127 Cabrio: 9844 Sport Roadster: 1427 |
Coupé: 4321 Convertible: 4788 Sport Roadster: 5439 |
1963 | Coupé: 56,945 Convertible: 5913 Sport Roadster: 455 |
Coupé: 4455 Convertible: 4912 Sport Roadster: 5563 |
Technical data Ford Thunderbird, models 1963 | ||
---|---|---|
Ford Thunderbird | 6.4 | 6.4 HO |
Engine: | 8-cylinder V-engine (four-stroke), fork angle 90 ° | |
Displacement: | 6384 cc | |
Bore × stroke: | 102.9 x 96 mm | |
Performance at 1 / min: | 224 kW (304 SAE PS) at 4600 |
254 kW (345 SAE PS) at 5000 |
Max. Torque at 1 / min: | 578 Nm at 2800 | 583 Nm at 3200 |
Compression: | 9.6: 1 | 10.5: 1 |
Mixture preparation: | 1 quadruple carburetor | 3 double carburetors |
Valve control: | OHV , chain | |
Cooling: | Water cooling | |
Transmission: | Three-speed automatic Dual Range Cruise-O-Matic rear-wheel drive |
|
Front suspension: | Upper wishbones, lower wishbones, thrust struts, coil springs | |
Rear suspension: | Rigid axle, semi-elliptical leaf springs | |
Brakes: | Drum brakes all around, servo | |
Steering: | Recirculating ball steering, servo-assisted | |
Body: | Sheet steel, self-supporting | |
Track width front / rear: | 1550/1520 mm | |
Wheelbase: | 2870 mm | |
Dimensions: | 5210 × 1940 × 1330-1350 mm | |
Empty weight: | 1975-2175 kg | |
Top speed: | approx. 190 km / h | approx. 200 km / h |
0-100 km / h: | n / A | |
Consumption (liters / 100 kilometers): | approx. 17-23 | approx. 18-25 |
"Flair Birds" (1964–1966)
The fourth Thunderbird generation, again available as a Coupé, Landau Coupé and Cabriolet, had angular bodies. The technology remained largely unchanged. The Sport Roadster was no longer available, but a matching fiberglass cover for the rear seats from an accessory store could be fitted at the dealers. A 6.4-liter V8 with 300 or 330 SAE hp were offered as engines.
For the first time, the 1965 models could be ordered with front disc brakes for a surcharge.
An extensive facelift was carried out for the 1966 model year with a more angular radiator grille set away from the bumper and wider rear lights. The basic 6.4-liter, now equipped with double carburettors, only made 275 SAE-PS with a 9.5: 1 compression, the quadruple carburetor version was specified with 315 SAE-PS with a 10.5: 1 compression. New was a seven-liter (428 cui), which brought it to 345 SAE-PS.
The basic structure of the body remained unchanged during the production years, but the different years of construction can easily be distinguished:
Model year | front | page | tail lights |
---|---|---|---|
1964 | Upper bumper to bonnet grill with cross bars lettering on bonnet |
Lettering in front of the doors | continuous, with emblem, with chrome. "Thunderbird" on the lights in the middle of the bumper with the word THUNDERBIRD |
1965 | Grill with additional vertical bars emblem on the bonnet |
Air inlets in front of doors indicated on the rear |
sixfold subdivision with flashing lights |
1966 | Upper bumper and horns do not have an air scoop in V-shape emblem on the radiator grille |
Air inlets indicated by lettering at the rear are omitted |
triple subdivision with flashing lights |
Model year | number of pieces | Price from US $ |
---|---|---|
1964 | Coupé: 83.267 Convertible: 9198 |
Coupé: 4486 Convertible: 4853 |
1965 | Coupé: 68.126 Convertible: 6846 |
Coupé: 4394 Convertible: 4851 |
1966 | Coupé: 64.027 Convertible: 5049 |
Coupé: 4395 Convertible: 4845 |
"Glamor Birds" (1967–1971)
The fifth Thunderbird grew in all dimensions. The convertible was omitted, but a four-door sedan with counter-rotating doors (" suicide doors ") was added to the range. A total of three body styles were sold from model year 1970 (hatchback, notchback, four-door). There were five and six-seaters depending on the seating arrangement. The model was technically related to the Continental Mark III , which Lincoln offered from April 1968. An electronic anti-lock braking system (ABS) for the rear axle was also offered as a technical treat .
Model year | number of pieces | Price from US $ |
---|---|---|
1967 | Coupé: 52,989 Lim .: 24,967 |
Coupé: 4603 Lim .: 4825 |
1968 | Coupé: 43,006 Lim .: 21,925 |
Coupé: 4716 Lim .: 4924 |
1969 | Coupé: 33,577 Lim .: 15,650 |
Coupé: 4807 Lim .: 5026 |
1970 | Coupé: 41,963 Lim .: 8401 |
Coupé: 4961 Lim .: 5182 |
1971 | Coupé: 29,502 Lim .: 6553 |
Coupé: 5295 Lim .: 5516 |
Technical data Ford Thunderbird, 1969 models | |||
---|---|---|---|
Ford Thunderbird | 7.0 coupe | 7.0 sedan | |
Engine: | 8-cylinder V-engine (four-stroke), fork angle 90 ° | ||
Displacement: | 7026 cc | ||
Bore × stroke: | 110.8 x 91.2 mm | ||
Performance at 1 / min: | 268 kW (365 SAE PS) at 4600 |
||
Max. Torque at 1 / min: | 651 Nm at 2800 | ||
Compression: | 10.5: 1 | ||
Mixture preparation: | 1 quadruple carburetor | ||
Valve control: | OHV , chain | ||
Cooling: | Water cooling | ||
Transmission: | Three-speed automatic Select Shift rear-wheel drive |
||
Front suspension: | Upper wishbones, lower wishbones, thrust struts, coil springs | ||
Rear suspension: | Rigid axle, lower trailing arms, upper torque arms, semi-elliptical leaf springs | ||
Brakes: | Front disc brakes (diameter 29.8 cm), rear drum brakes, servo | ||
Steering: | Recirculating ball steering, servo-assisted | ||
Body: | Sheet steel, on a ladder frame | ||
Track width front / rear: | 1575/1575 mm | ||
Wheelbase: | 2910 mm | 2980 mm | |
Dimensions: | 5255 × 1965 × 1330 mm | 5320 × 1965 × 1355 mm | |
Empty weight: | 2055-2123 kg | 2105-2163 kg | |
Top speed: | approx. 205–215 km / h | ||
0-100 km / h: | n / A | ||
Consumption (liters / 100 kilometers): | approx. 17-22 |
"Big Birds" (1972-1976)
The largest and heaviest Thunderbirds to date. A length of 5.73 m, an empty weight of around 2200 kg, as well as 7.0 and 7.5 liter engines and a very high consumption were the characteristics of the sixth generation. Technically, these were based on the Continental Mark IV .
Model year | number of pieces | Price from US $ |
---|---|---|
1972 | 57,814 | 5293 |
1973 | 87,269 | 5577 |
1974 | 58,443 | 7221 |
1975 | 42,685 | 7701 |
1976 | 52,935 | 7790 |
Technical data Ford Thunderbird, 1973 models | |||
---|---|---|---|
Ford Thunderbird | 7.0 | 7.5 | |
Engine: | 8-cylinder V-engine (four-stroke), fork angle 90 ° | ||
Displacement: | 7033 cc | 7536 cc | |
Bore × stroke: | 110.8 x 91.2 mm | 110.8 x 97.8 mm | |
Performance at 1 / min: | 157 kW (214 hp) at 4450 |
155 kW (211 hp) at 4400 |
|
Max. Torque at 1 / min: | 443 Nm at 2600 | 457 Nm at 2800 | |
Compression: | 8.5: 1 | 8.5: 1 | |
Mixture preparation: | 1 quadruple carburetor | ||
Valve control: | OHV , chain | ||
Cooling: | Water cooling | ||
Transmission: | Three-speed automatic Cruise-O-Matic rear-wheel drive |
||
Front suspension: | Upper wishbones, lower wishbones, tension struts, coil springs | ||
Rear suspension: | Rigid axle, lower trailing arm, upper semi-trailing arm, semi-elliptical leaf springs | ||
Brakes: | Front disc brakes (diameter 29.8 cm), rear drum brakes, servo | ||
Steering: | Recirculating ball steering, servo-assisted | ||
Body: | Sheet steel, on a ladder frame | ||
Track width front / rear: | 1600/1600 mm | ||
Wheelbase: | 3060 mm | ||
Dimensions: | 5560 × 2025 × 1350 mm | ||
Empty weight: | 2150-2250 kg | ||
Top speed: | approx. 195–205 km / h | ||
0-100 km / h: | n / A | ||
Consumption (liters / 100 kilometers): | approx. 18-25 |
"Torino Birds" (1977–1979)
The seventh generation Thunderbird shrank slightly and was now based on the mid-range model LTD II , the successor to the Torino . This was accompanied by a price reduction from $ 7,800 to $ 5,100, which increased sales sixfold from 1976 to 1977 (to 318,000 copies). Typical design features of the new generation were pop-up headlights , a wide B-pillar with a small recessed window ("Opera Window") and a filigree C-pillar. In all three model years, there was a luxurious Town-Landau variant in addition to the basic model, a special model Diamond Jubilee Edition in 1978, and the Heritage Edition in 1979 (visual feature of the latter two: vinyl roof behind the B-pillar, no rear side windows). V8 engines of 5.0 provided the drive; 5.8 or (only until 1978) 6.6 liter displacement with 135 to 175 hp. Of this Thunderbird version, 955,000 copies were made in three years.
The "Torino Birds" are the first Thunderbirds, of which the Mercury Division offered a technically identical vehicle. It was marketed under the name Mercury Cougar XR-7 and 454,815 copies were produced.
Model year | number of pieces | Price from US $ |
---|---|---|
1977 | 318.140 | 5063 |
1978 | 352.751 | 5411 |
1979 | 284.141 | 5877 |
"Box Birds" (1980–1982)
Following the trend of the times, the eighth Thunderbird shrank significantly (in length from 5.52 to 5.09 m, the weight sank from 1,764 to 1,412 kg), but retained the typical baroque design and numerous styling details of its predecessors (e.g. . Pop-up headlights). Technically, it was based on the so-called Fox platform of the Ford Fairmont . Basic and Town Landau models were offered, plus a Silver Anniversary model in 1980 (25 years of Thunderbird), in 1981 and 1982 again a Heritage Edition as in 1979. V8 engines with 4.2 or 5, 0 liter displacement (117-133 hp), from 1981 also a 3.3-liter in-line six-cylinder with 89 hp; the five-liter was dropped in 1982. In commercial terms, this generation of models was not successful with just under 290,000 copies in three years.
Model year | number of pieces | Price from US $ |
---|---|---|
1980 | 156,803 | 6432 |
1981 | 86,693 | 7551 |
1982 | 45.142 | 8492 |
"Aero Birds" (1983–1988)
With the new generation of models, the ninth-generation Thunderbird changed from a luxury to a luxurious sports coupe. The new model, unofficially Aerobird called, was characterized by a much clearer and more modern subscribed, aerodynamic line of ( c w value 0.35) and was a significant departure from decades tended Thunderbird style. The equipment variants Basis, Heritage (1983 only), Elan (1984–1986), FILA (1984/85), LX (1987/88) and Turbo Coupé were offered . The following engines were available: 3.8-l V6 (112–142 hp), 5.0-l V8 (132–157 hp) and (in the Turbo Coupe) the 2.3-l in-line four-cylinder with turbocharger ( 144-203 PS). For the 1987 model year, the Thunderbird received a revised body with flush headlights and flush mounted side windows. Ford sold 884,000 units of the “Aero-Thunderbird” in six years.
Model year | number of pieces | Price from US $ |
---|---|---|
1983 | 121,299 | 9197 |
1984 | 170,533 | 9633 |
1985 | 151.851 | 10,249 |
1986 | 163.965 | 11,020 |
1987 | 128,135 | 12,972 |
1988 | 147.243 | 13,599 |
Technical data Ford Thunderbird, models 1987 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ford Thunderbird | turbo | Turbo HO | V6 | V8 | |
Engine: | 4-cylinder in-line engine (four-stroke) | 6-cylinder V-engine (four-stroke), fork angle 90 ° | 8-cylinder V-engine (four-stroke), fork angle 90 ° | ||
Displacement: | 2301 cm³ | 3791 cc | 4942 cc | ||
Bore × stroke: | 96 x 79.4 mm | 96.5 x 86.6 mm | 101.6 x 76.2 mm | ||
Performance at 1 / min: | 112 kW (152 hp) at 4400 |
142 kW (193 hp) at 4400 |
89.5 kW (122 hp) at 3600 |
112 kW (152 hp) at 3200 |
|
Max. Torque at 1 / min: | 271 Nm at 3000 | 326 Nm at 3000 | 278 Nm at 1600 | 366 Nm at 2000 | |
Compression: | 8.0: 1 | 8.7: 1 | 8.9: 1 | ||
Mixture preparation: | injection | ||||
Valve control: | OHC , timing belt | OHV , chain | |||
Cooling: | Water cooling | ||||
Transmission: | Four-speed automatic Cruise-O-Matic rear-wheel drive |
Five-speed rear-wheel drive |
Four-speed automatic rear-wheel drive |
||
Front suspension: | Lower wishbones, shock absorber struts, coil springs | ||||
Rear suspension: | Rigid axle, lower trailing arm, upper trailing arm, coil springs | ||||
Brakes: | Disc brakes all around (diameter v / h 27.7 / 25.8 cm), servo | Disc brakes at the front (diameter v 25.6 cm), drum brakes at the rear, servo | |||
Steering: | Rack and pinion steering, servo-assisted | ||||
Body: | Self-supporting sheet steel | ||||
Track width front / rear: | 1475/1485 mm | ||||
Wheelbase: | 2645 mm | ||||
Dimensions: | 5135 × 1805 × 1355 mm | ||||
Empty weight: | 1535 kg | 1420 kg | 1485 kg | ||
Top speed: | approx. 180–205 km / h | approx. 170 km / h | approx. 175 km / h | ||
0-100 km / h: | n / A | ||||
Consumption (liters / 100 kilometers): | approx. 11-20 | approx. 12-18 | approx. 12-18 |
"Super Birds" (1989–1997)
For the 1989 model year, Ford presented the tenth Thunderbird generation, which explicitly took the BMW 6 Series as its model. The front without a traditional radiator grille was noticeable; instead, there were air inlets in the front apron. The basic coupé (1989–1992) and the LX with a 3.8-l V6 (104–108 kW / 142–147 hp) or a 5.0-l V8 (149 kW / 203 hp, from 1991) were available ; Replaced in 1994 by the new 4.6-l V8 with 153 kW / 208 PS), the Sport Coupé with the V8 (1991/92) and the Super Coupé (1989–1995) with a supercharged version of the 3.8-l -V6 (157 kW / 213 PS). In 1994 and 1996 there were slight facelifts with modified front aprons and a small cooling air inlet between the headlights. In September 1997, after 43 years, Thunderbird production temporarily ended. Of this generation of Thunderbirds, 889,000 were made in eight years.
Model year | number of pieces | Price from US $ |
---|---|---|
1989 | 107.996 | 14,612 |
1990 | 104.602 | 15,076 |
1991 | 77,688 | 15,318 |
1992 | 73,892 | 16,345 |
1993 | 129,712 | 15,797 |
1994 | 120,320 | 16,830 |
1995 | 114,823 | 17,225 |
1996 | 85.029 | 17,485 |
1997 | 73.814 | 17,885 |
Technical data Ford Thunderbird, models 1995 | |||
---|---|---|---|
Ford Thunderbird | 3.8 | 3.8 SC | V8 |
Engine: | 6-cylinder V-engine (four-stroke), fork angle 90 ° | 8-cylinder V-engine (four-stroke), fork angle 90 ° | |
Displacement: | 3797 cc | 4601 cm³ | |
Bore × stroke: | 96.8 x 86 mm | 90.2 × 90 mm | |
Performance at 1 / min: | 104 kW (142 hp) at 3800 |
157 kW (213 hp) at 4400 |
153 kW (208 hp) at 4500 |
Max. Torque at 1 / min: | 292 Nm at 2400 | 447 Nm at 2500 | 360 Nm at 3200 |
Compression: | 9.0: 1 | 8.5: 1 | 9.0: 1 |
Mixture preparation: | injection | Injection roots compressor |
injection |
Valve control: | OHV , chain | OHC , chain | |
Cooling: | Water cooling | ||
Transmission: | Four-speed automatic, SC also five-speed rear-wheel drive |
||
Front suspension: | Lower wishbones, shock absorber struts, coil springs | ||
Rear suspension: | Lower wishbones, upper wishbones, coil springs | ||
Brakes: | Front disc brakes (diameter 27.5 cm), servo, aW ABS SC only: disc brakes all around (27.5 / 25.6 cm), servo, ABS |
||
Steering: | Rack and pinion steering, servo-assisted | ||
Body: | Self-supporting sheet steel | ||
Track width front / rear: | 1565/1530 mm | ||
Wheelbase: | 2870 mm | ||
Dimensions: | 5090 × 1845 × 1335 mm | ||
Empty weight: | 1605 kg | 1690 kg | 1665 kg |
Top speed: | approx. 180 km / h | approx. 225 km / h | approx. 200 km / h |
0-100 km / h: | n / A | ||
Consumption (liters / 100 kilometers): | approx. 10-16 | approx. 10-18 | approx. 11-18 |
"Retro-Birds" (2002-2005)
11th generation | |
---|---|
Ford Thunderbird, 2002 |
|
Production period: | 2002-2005 |
Body versions : | Roadster |
Engines: |
Otto engine : 3.9 liters (209 kW) |
Length: | 4732 mm |
Width: | 1829 mm |
Height: | 1324 mm |
Wheelbase : | 2723 mm |
Empty weight : | 1678 kg |
In 2002, Ford launched the eleventh generation of a completely new model with a retro design that was to be reminiscent of the original Thunderbird from 1955 to 1957.
The design came from J Mays , the technology from the Lincoln LS . The model was only available as a two-seater convertible with a 209 kW (284 hp) 3.9-liter V8 from Jaguar ( AJ-V8 ) at prices around US $ 40,000. Initially, the Thunderbird was offered in nostalgic paint finishes such as light yellow and turquoise and two-tone interiors. From 2003, standard paint colors from the Ford range were used and the interior was monochrome.
Ford anticipated sales of 25,000 units per year, but this was never achieved. In 2004 Ford sold 11,998 copies, in 2005 only 9548.
After more than three million vehicles produced and a total of eleven vehicle generations, the last Ford Thunderbird rolled off the assembly line on July 1, 2005. Production was discontinued without replacement.
Model year | number of pieces | Price from US $ |
---|---|---|
2002 | 19,085 | 34,965 |
2003 | 14,506 | 37,550 |
2004 | 11,998 | 36,925 |
2005 | 9548 | 38,355 |
Trivia
- Private detective Dan Tanna , played by Robert Urich , drives a red 1957 Thunderbird on the Vegas TV series .
- The CIA agent Felix Leiter drives a white Thunderbird Convertible of the corresponding years in the 1964 and 1965 " James Bond " films " Goldfinger " and " Fireball ".
- In “ Diamantenfieber ” from 1971, James Bond was thrown into the trunk of a Landau Coupé and then abducted.
- A “retro bird” made an appearance in the 2002 film “ Die Another Day ” - here Bond's NSA colleague Jinx drives a red 2002 Thunderbird Convertible.
- British writer and Bond inventor Ian Fleming owned two Thunderbirds himself between 1955 and 1962. A black “Classic Bird” with hard top and a four-seater 1960's “Square Bird” with hard top. This passion is said to have earned him the nickname Thunderbird in his wife .
- Romy Schneider and Jack Lemmon drive a Thunderbird convertible in the 1964 US comedy "Leih mir seine Mann" ("Good Neighbor Sam").
- In the 1989 pilot of a planned reprint of the series " Peter Gunn ", Peter Strauss , alias Peter Gunn , drives an ivory-colored 1955 Ford Thunderbird Convertible.
- In the film “ Born 2 Die ”, Jet Li drives a black “retro bird”.
- In “ American Graffiti ” by George Lucas , the “mysterious blonde” drives a white 1956 Ford Thunderbird.
- In the 1988 horror comedy Elvira, actress Cassandra Peterson drives a black 1959 Ford Thunderbird Convertible with whitewall tires and the nickname macabre mobile .
- In 1991, alongside Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon , a metallic-green 1966 Ford Thunderbird Convertible starred in Ridley Scott's road movie " Thelma & Louise ".
- In 1956, rock and roll singer Gene Vincent recorded a song called "Pink Thunderbird".
- In the 1960s, car models were often mentioned in song lyrics, as was the case with the Beach Boys : "[...] and she'll have fun fun fun 'till her daddy takes the T-Bird away [...]".
- In 1990 Marc Cohn dedicated a song to his father and his car with the title “Silver Thunderbird”.
- In Grease , the gang around John Travolta , alias Danny Zuko after the vehicle, calls itself "T-Birds".
- The title character of the German crime series " Balko " drives a Thunderbird Hardtop Coupé from the 1962 model year in the early episodes.
- In the television series " Highlander " Adrian Paul , aka Duncan MacLeod , drives a 1964 Ford Thunderbird Convertible.
- In Mafia , two versions of the 1957 Ford Thunderbird can be unlocked as special vehicles.
- In Mafia II the player can choose a Thunderbird as his vehicle.
- In Grand Theft Auto V one often encounters a slightly modified version of the Thunderbird (1955–1957). Here, too, the player can choose the car as his vehicle.
See also
Sources and literature
- Automobil Revue , catalog numbers 1960, 1963, 1969, 1973, 1987, 1995 (dates).
- John Gunnell: Standard Catalog of American Cars 1946-1975 . Krause Publications, Iola 2002, ISBN 0-87349-461-X .
- James M. Flammang / Ron Kowalke: Standard Catalog of American Cars 1976–1999 . Krause Publications, Iola 1999, ISBN 0-87341-755-0 .
- John Gunnell: Standard Catalog of Ford, 4th edition . Krause Publications, Iola 2007, ISBN 978-0-89689-615-4 .
- Larry Edsall: Legends of Automotive History: From the Beginning to the 21st Century. White-Star-Verlag, Wiesbaden 2006, ISBN 3-939128-52-X , pp. 150-151.