A new Thunderbird???

[firstbird05]

A friend told me he saw a TV program talking about a new Thunderbird that Ford was working on. Now, I have not heard anything along those lines. Was it the beer talking or did he see an older show about the retro birds or.....??? I think Ford is more worried about surviving than producing a new model.

[njmiket]

Re: A new Thunderbird???

I heard a rumor maybe 2012?

[SixPac]

Re: A new Thunderbird???

Here's a short article about the 2009 2010 Thunderbird. It's a little bit late for an April Fool joke.

http://www.allautoreviews.com/auto_reviews/ford/ford-thunderbird.htm

[FUN X 3]

Re: A new Thunderbird???

The article appears to be describing our cars, 2002-2005 vintage. 252 hp in the article, 280 hp in the specs, etc etc. And the pictures are of our cars. I agree with Greg, Ford's got bigger fish to fry than a new new Thunderbird...

[ThunderBubba]

Re: A new Thunderbird???

Here's a short article about the 2009 2010 Thunderbird. It's a little bit late for an April Fool joke.

http://www.allautoreviews.com/auto_reviews/ford/ford-thunderbird.htm

What kind of Dog Food are these people on? They did give the 2009 and 2010 Thunderbird a good review though.

[Welker]

Re: A new Thunderbird???

Sometime last year I saw a picture of the next proposed Thunderbird, maybe here on the Nest website. It wasn't much and it wasn't retro so it was, in fact, nothing. The picture showed a wedge shape(ho hum), big behind and small nose pointed at the ground. I don't think anybody took it seriously and I agree with those who say Ford has a lot on the plate now and worrying about another T Bird is probably not high on the food chain.
The reviews of the Fusion Hybrid have been all good and, if the push for gas saving, eco friendly cars continues, it looks like Ford beats Honda and Toyota in this class. God knows, the industry could use a little help at home.

[Sandman]

Re: A new Thunderbird???

This is the proposed T-Bird of the future.

[Welker]

Re: A new Thunderbird???

Sandman, that ain't bad......but it looks more like a Jag,Bentley,Aston or some other exotic based on Eurostyling. I like it but I don't see Thunderbird like I see the '02/'05 in the '55/'57. They got it right the first iteration....if this picture, beautiful as it is, is the next generation,it is going to be looking at a next generation buyer....and maybe that's the right thing to do.

[BJHEN]

Re: A new Thunderbird???

My X next door neighbor is an engineer for a local auto accessories company. His company has a contract with Ford and he spent over a year at Ford designing the AC bracket and other parts for the GT40. He told me there were many prototype models in the works, all hidden away in isolated work areas. He said he had seen a few of them but he could not, and would not, tell be about them. I guess he values his job. He did say there were some very exotic cars in Ford's future. Of course, that was a few years ago, before all the economic problems; so who knows what Ford is still working on. I wish I could talk with him to get an update but he moved and I have lost contact.

Oh well, what ever Ford does about introducing a "New" Thunderbird, I'm sure we here at TBN will be the first to know.

Cliff

[MATBird]

Re: A new Thunderbird???

Sandman:
You left us hanging there; you didn't give us any background on where you got those pictures or any story with them Or was this a photoshop spoof?

[FUN X 3]

Re: A new Thunderbird???

Sandman, that ain't bad......but it looks more like a Jag,Bentley,Aston or some other exotic based on Eurostyling. I like it but I don't see Thunderbird like I see the '02/'05 in the '55/'57. They got it right the first iteration....if this picture, beautiful as it is, is the next generation,it is going to be looking at a next generation buyer....and maybe that's the right thing to do.

I couldn't agree more. The next generation T-Bird enthusiast will have little or no nostalgic memories of the late-1950's Birds, so design cues connecting it to the past would likely be less important. Damn we're old.

[Ray]

Re: A new Thunderbird???

I think it's pretty cool looking. I especially like the side chevrons........

[BirdsAndBugs]

Re: A new Thunderbird???

Given the way the auto industry has changed in the past year, I doubt Ford is seriously developing any Thunderbird that we'll see in the near future. If so, I don't think it would be another 2 seat sportscar/roadster. Given the gas concerns and economic challenges facing the auto industry I think it would need to be a higher volume car. More like a moderately priced 2 door coupe like so many of the Thunderbirds were especially in the late 70's though 1997. Just my opinion though.....

[Skip]

Re: A new Thunderbird???

I just hope the next generation Bird stays true to what it has been since inception for the most part: a 2 seat roadster, or a personal luxury coupe or convertible. I shutter to think that it might be cannibalized into a full line of vehicles including SUVs, sedans, etc. And remember folks, if a successor to our cars does develop. and especially if it is a roadster, our cars lose some of their exclusiveness and uniqueness. Ours are the latest, greatest and newest until a new model come along.

Skip

[Sandman]

Re: A new Thunderbird???

George, I can't divulge that info. It's TOP SECRET!

Ron