Why the name Thunderbird

[FredO]

anyone know how Ford chose to name their new little car Thunderbird in 1955?

[Gobird]

Re: Why the name Thunderbird

Don't remember the whole story but Ford ran a contest with employs and one guy handed in the suggestion of using the Thunderbird name. He got peanuts as a reward for the name he came up with. I think he got a new suit and a little something else.

[Gobird]

Re: Why the name Thunderbird

Here is a link that tells the whole story.

http://www.essaypride.com/essays.php...rd-Thunderbird

[TexasWhiteBird]

Re: Why the name Thunderbird

Fords ad agency at the time had come up with over a 1000 names, most were pretty goofy or dated, even for the fifties...whizette, wombat, cruisejet are a couple examples. In the end though, the Chief Stylist in charge (Crusoe) offered a naming contest to the employees with a $250.00 suit as the prize! one of the stylists won.
Thunderbird is from Native American legend and refers to the bringer of rain, power and prosperity! alan

[Ski]

Re: Why the name Thunderbird

$250 is peanuts now but was quite a bit in '55.