Flying With Some Thunderbirds.
by Gerry Ayers
I thought I’d shift gears this issue and talk about another Ford product that many of you know and love—the Thunderbird. It’s important we note the first dated back to 1955, so it’s definitely an American icon, something that most of us have grown up with. With the arrival of the “retro bird” in 2001, it promises to be a good time for bird lovers.
My father bought a 1960 black Thunderbird convertible new many moons ago, trading in a beloved MG for it. The family was getting bigger and he needed a rear seats. I only vaguely remember riding in this car. Reading about it now, and checking the dimensions and performance, I still really don’t like it. Even though the interceptor engine was an option (ours didn’t have it) the car was big and heavy. I guess most everything was “big and heavy” then, but the Mustang seemed much more spirited. And compared to the 1955-57 “birds, the 1958 through 1978 models WERE bigger and fatter.
How? If you look at the Thunderbirds from the mid sixties to the late seventies, it’s easy to see why these things were SUV size units skinned with car shells! I remember riding in 1972 and 1973 Thunderbirds whose plush velour interior seemed to “swallow” me alive like quick sand. I had to fight to stay put in my seat going around turns. I peered out the then popular “opera window” like a person out to sea in the Queen Mary hoping to come back alive. Of course I’d come back alive, the “73-76” models had front and rear bumpers larger than picnic tables attached to them.
Ah Yes, the T-Bird went the route of the Mustang and gained weight. After another redesign from 1977, the guys at Ford realized it needed to go on a diet. Thus, the 1983 Thunderbird marked a milestone in design – the jelly bean shape proved in the wind tunnel. Though some felt it was controversial at the time, I broke new ground for Ford, which spawned the Sable and Taurus of the shame shaping.
The 1983-1988 T-Birds are among my favorite because performance make a comeback in the form of the Turbo coupe models. They looked good and handled well, retaining the rwd platform most of us cherished. It garnered MOTOR TREND’s Car of the Year award in 1987. Thousands were sold.
When the new 1989 model made it’s debut, being touted as a BMW clone, I was skeptical. The car had indeed grown in weight again, supposedly 400-500 pounds over their intent. The supercharged 3.8 liter motor had grunt, but too much weight to make it a real flyer. The design never grew on me, and worse, interest in the car from everyone seemed to wane. The Thunderbird died with the Riviera and Lincoln Mark VIII.
Although an SVT model was to come, it never did. So I remember reading the papers saying how Ford Killed the car and everyone was screaming bloody murder. How could they give up such a beloved car?
Well, the purists can rejoice. In less than one year or so, we’ll be treated to an all new car on an all new platform (same used as the Lincoln LS, I’m told).
I like the car that I’ve seen in pictures, except for the wheels. A little “too bust” for me. I love the thought of returning to 1950’s pastel colors. Like the grill and rear end treatment. Like the estimated price of around $30,000.00. Looks like Ford has a winner around the bend.
Something tells me I won’t be sitting in plushy velour seats and wallowing around turn this time. I don’t think engineers are going to be fired by the handfuls because of missing goals or desired weight projections. Power should be good, although it won’t be made to compete against Porsche Boxsters and the like.
I guess to those who feel the current Mustang has lost focus, maybe the new Thunderbird will be worth a look.
Can’t wait to see these things coming off the trucks, because I do want to TEST DRIVE one as soon as they become available.
Rodnie W. Dieffenbacher, Editor