come back Ford Thunderbird

[V8 Cat]

Re: come back Ford Thunderbird

Some people have already said this, but trust me, the next Tbird will not be a retro two seater. There is virtually no chance of that. I doubt there will be a V8 engine. There will be another Tbird. That name-plate is just too valuable for Ford not to use it. It might be a convertible with rear wheel drive and independent rear suspension. I have seen where some sources said it could be marketed under the Lincoln brand. That seems like a real possibility to me as they don't have much to compete with Cadillac's CTS coupe, sedan and possibly a convertible (especially the V series of those cars). The market is just too limited for two seaters. There is not going to be anymore retro styling, but there could be a few retro features incorporated into the design kind of like Jaguar and Mercedes. It is time to move on like Jaguar did with its new XF, XK, and XJ models - they could not keep churning out the older designs with just some updates. The demographics of the buyers show older people, of which I am one, dying out. The new Tbird might make it by 2015 - the 60th anniversary. This is just my opinion, and it is really a condensed version of what many other people have predicted.

[Rondor]

Re: come back Ford Thunderbird

Unfortunately it's a numbers game, and the fewer they make the more they will cost. A 4 seater would have at leat double the potential market and make a viable possability but it will take a very special style to pull it off. Ford could do it, but will they?
I think getting out of the wind tunnel is priority one

[jerrym3]

Re: come back Ford Thunderbird

Not sure if Thunderbird is a prime Ford name anymore.

Today's, and tomorrow's, buyers don't connect with the Thunderbird nameplate. They connect more with foreign brands/nameplates.

Fortunately, there are some nameplates that do hang on (Mustang, Camaro, Corvette), but I'm even starting to wonder if, as the Corvette price climbs into an area that the younger under/unemployed buyer cannot afford, that namplate may also lose it's glitter as the population ages.

[phil]

Re: come back Ford Thunderbird

if you look at the corvette driving next to you it is generally a driver over 50. Young drivers want BMWs, Mustangs, Camaros. The same folks who generally buy Corvette are the T Bird boomers. We finally got to the financial maturity that we could purchase our dream I had to wait until I was 60 and the kids on their own that I could finally buy a toy for myself. People will buy fuel efficient daily drivers, that are fun.

[jerrym3]

Re: come back Ford Thunderbird

Exactly my point, Phil.

When I was 22 in 1965, from years of savings, I bought my new Corvette ($4,300) for cash. (Shocked the salesman a bit.)

Up to that point, the most I had ever paid for a car was $1,100 for a used 57 Olds 98 convert.

I don't know if you see that now.

[BITWTB]

Re: come back Ford Thunderbird

Corvette sales are in the range of 12,000-13,000 per year. No clue if Chevy's line is profitable or not, but it does seem like a small number of vehicles to stand by itself. I'm sure Thunderbirds would have to sell better than that to make economic sense for Ford.

[tbird6t4]

Re: come back Ford Thunderbird

In a perfect world there would be a V8, 2 door, 4 seat convertible hardtop Thunderbird with AWD and tons of goodies like the top of the line Lincoln MKS.

Ahhhhhh.........some day!

It's nice to dream, just a little.

(Oh and it should get 100 miles to the gallon on average too.)

I gotta stop smokin that funny green stuff perhaps!

[Lindy]

Re: come back Ford Thunderbird

Wow! I have read the posts on this thread thus far, and cannot believe that no one has noticed that Ford already revived the 1958 "square bird'!

As you will see below:

Lindy

[Skip]

Re: come back Ford Thunderbird

I think many of the thoughts and observations stated above are likely right on target. I had a chance to chat with Jim Youngs recently. Jim was the project manager for the retro TBird program that many of us have had the pleasure of meeting and hearing the retro TBird story from an "insider". His take on the future of the TBird is that it likely will not return, at least not in the foreseeable future. And if it does, it likely will (or should) follow the trends of the TBirds of the late 50s, 60s and 70s. It will be a more upscale, luxury car, and likely a four door, or at least a 4 place model. And it will likely be the size of a Fusion. I hope not. My opinion is that unless it returns to the same concept as our retros, or the 55-57s, let the name remain in history. Only time will tell.

[FUN X 3]

Re: come back Ford Thunderbird

I would love to see them come up with a sporty but luxurious 4-seater, a modern version of the early-60s rocket Bird. I seriously doubt that Ford would ever try the 2-seater version again, not enough potential sales there.

[Gobird]

Re: come back Ford Thunderbird

I don't see another Bird in my future no matter what they do if anything. I'll keep what I have.

[phil]

Re: come back Ford Thunderbird

This is my first and last T bird, love it glad I got it would never sell it but one is enough. I could consider the new Camaro convertible for my next car. Every time one passes by they catch my eye.

[Rondor]

Re: come back Ford Thunderbird

Wow! I have read the posts on this thread thus far, and cannot believe that no one has noticed that Ford already revived the 1958 "square bird'!

As you will see below:

Lindy

At least it's square
I think the economy over next 5-10 years will dictate everything Ford does as well as their buyers

[toysax]

Re: come back Ford Thunderbird

We purchased our bird from a dentist who had 3 children and he decided it didn't fit his family! His lost was my gain!!

[AZTB]

Re: come back Ford Thunderbird

This is my first and last T bird, love it glad I got it would never sell it but one is enough. I could consider the new Camaro convertible for my next car. Every time one passes by they catch my eye.

They are a great looking car, Phil. Someone who works near me has a maroon one and everytime I see it, I drool (IMO, it looks MUCH better on the street than the current 'Stang).