Is Ford showing the "New" Thunderbird?

[Southern]

Re: Is Ford showing the "New" Thunderbird?

I don't think anyone has ever introed a car in Orlando.
It wasn't introed in Nov in LA which is probably the #1 intro show nowadays...
Next best chance will be Detroit in January...Beinga Ford this would be the most likely. Maybe.
after that it would be NYC in April.........


I think that the first thing that would happen would be a concept.......with production a couple of years after that.........if the concept created buzz......

[XCR440SP]

Re: Is Ford showing the "New" Thunderbird?

I'm wondering if we'll start seeing some familiar nameplates comeback to secure the rights to the names. The Fusion was announced as the Ford Futura, but Pep Boys blocked the use of the name due to Futura tires. Even though Ford had it first, after not using it a period of time its fair game. I'm not sure if a concept would qualify or not, but I know there was an article at the time that said Ford would be more carefull in the future to protect its brands (Continental was the one mentioned at the time).

I think loosing Futura was a lucky thing, but keeping others should be far more important (Thunderbird and Bronco for example).

[Figaro]

Re: Is Ford showing the "New" Thunderbird?

I guess I'll have to be the first one to comment that I like it. The homage to the two seat original is in the interior with the wrap around effect, the exterior has sharp edges to it not unlike current contemporaries, the original 55 and 56 shared styling cues with other cars of it's time as well. I do see the retro T-bird and other birds echoed in this styling and smartly updated with a nice nod in the tail lights and even a sideways fin. Render it in classic and retro colors, tune the suspension and drop a bunch of horsepower in it and I'm in. My 20 year old looked at it and said "that's nice" he doesn't want to drive a GM, he doesn't need trunk space, all he needs is room for one other person and his iphone, and that's what Ford wanted to do the first time too. Even if I don't like what Ford will eventually bring out, I'll be thrilled if the 20- 35 year olds go crazy for it, that'll make our bird part of an ongoing legacy. A whole new car with a respectful bow to a remarkable past.

[camodude]

Re: Is Ford showing the "New" Thunderbird?

Looks like a combination of exterior parts from Vette and Camaro. Not something I would want to buy.

I say the same. I think if this is true I do not think I would get one. It looks like they drop the idea of what a thunderbird is just to go after performance looks of a vette/camaro. I would like to have another four seater really. Lets stay retro and make an 1958-1960 tbird again. Or my personal favorite the 1961-3 tbirds.

[Leroy]

Re: Is Ford showing the "New" Thunderbird?

I like the idea of the retractable hard top, but I don't like giving up my trunk and my spare tire. Leroy

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[Southern]

Re: Is Ford showing the "New" Thunderbird?

Well... there are Retractable HTs and then.....

I was really looking at this class of autos...until I ran across the retro birds.


The VW Eos is an engineering miracle/nightmare. Something like 9 motors. Has a well defined, but not large trunk area.
The MX5 (Miata) is my idea of good engineering. 1 Motor. Stores in same space as a soft top. Elegant.

[Rondor]

Re: Is Ford showing the "New" Thunderbird?

Well... there are Retractable HTs and then.....

I was really looking at this class of autos...until I ran across the retro birds.


The VW Eos is an engineering miracle/nightmare. Something like 9 motors. Has a well defined, but not large trunk area.
The MX5 (Miata) is my idea of good engineering. 1 Motor. Stores in same space as a soft top. Elegant.

I haven't gotten over the Skyliner yet..

[4LOWBIRDS+7]

Re: Is Ford showing the "New" Thunderbird?

I haven't gotten over the Skyliner yet..

YOU MUST MEAN ONE LIKE THIS.

[THHNDR]

Re: Is Ford showing the "New" Thunderbird?

I just dropped off my car for 30,000 mile service and the service manager told me he had just seen 2 prototype's Ford is working on. The photo's he saw were of a retro 64 with square tail lights and a contoured rear seat! Hope this is for real.

[Gobird]

Re: Is Ford showing the "New" Thunderbird?

Don't think it will happen but if it does this would be much more practical then another two seater and appeal to a lot more people.

[JoelK]

Re: Is Ford showing the "New" Thunderbird?

I would absolutely buy a new flair bird

[THHNDR]

Re: Is Ford showing the "New" Thunderbird?

The manager told me the prototype he saw also had a plexiglass roof :->

[MerlotBlue]

Re: Is Ford showing the "New" Thunderbird?

Don't think it will happen but if it does this would be much more practical then another two seater and appeal to a lot more people.

For me it wouldn't be of any interest or appeal if it's not a 2 seater.

Ford's line up is lacking a 2 seat car right now........ most manufacturers offer something.

Seems to me that Ford already has it's bases covered on passenger cars. I see a potential 4 or more seat T-Bird as redundant in Ford's current offerings and selling it would likely just cannibalize the sales of other existing Ford products.

[Joe Varey]

Re: Is Ford showing the "New" Thunderbird?

Have not seen or heard anything from FMCo. Sorry !

[THHNDR]

Re: Is Ford showing the "New" Thunderbird?

Could it be that a service manager wasn't telling the truth??