Thunderbird Appreciation Day

[RustyFrye]

Re: Thunderbird Appreciation Day

Should that be Ford Thunderbird Appreciation Day?

Guess that depends if you want to share the day with Triumph motorcycles, Gibson bass guitars, wine, precision flying groups, Mozilla etc... or not

[SixPac]

Re: Thunderbird Appreciation Day

Several years ago TBN reached out to the three major, national and traditional Thunderbird clubs to work with each other on promoting their respective events. We suggested that they would be able to use our web site to advertise and discuss their events and that they would include TBN events in their magazines. They showed no interest in our suggestion. That's still their position.

One of the clubs suggested that TBN become a chapter of their organization. They got a big no.

[redfire1]

Re: Thunderbird Appreciation Day

I still don't understand why the three major national clubs are so obstinate, not only towards TBN, but to each other as well. Working together would help expand everyone's exposure to obtain new members and prolong the love of the Thunderbird.

[TEE4TOO]

Re: Thunderbird Appreciation Day

I agree Make the THUNDERBIRD GREAT AGAIN !!LOL

[BirdsAndBugs]

Re: Thunderbird Appreciation Day

I still don't understand why the three major national clubs are so obstinate, not only towards TBN, but to each other as well. Working together would help expand everyone's exposure to obtain new members and prolong the love of the Thunderbird.

CTCI was one of the first clubs and was focused on the classic Thunderbird which they defined as a 2 seat rear wheel drive coupe. VTCI was originally focused on the 58-60 squarebirds and then expanded it scope through 1966 which is where they were for many years. It wasn't until many years thereafter that they opened it up to all Thunderbirds. The International Thunderbird Club is a much more recent organization.

I think part of the problem is that the Thunderbird hasn't been consistent in what it has been. It's been everything from a 2 seat roadster, to a large coupe, to a 4 door with suicide doors, to a luxury barge, etc. It's not like the Corvette or Mustang which has stayed true to it's roots. With the Thunderbird, many people prefer a certain period or body style.

I'm partial primarily to the 55-57, 2002-2005, and I kind of have a soft spot for many of the 77-97 models too.

[Skip]

Re: Thunderbird Appreciation Day

The Bermuda "celebrity" cruise in April 2018 is a joint effort between the Mid-Atlantic Thunderbird Club (MATC) and TBN (more or less the Mid-Atlantic TBN group). See the Mid-Atlantic thread for more info. There have been other joint events between TBN chapters or groups and local chapters of the traditional clubs over the years. This is a good sign. Each has it's benefits, but having been a member of a traditional club for over 40 years, both local chapter and it's national club affiliate, I find the less formally structured format of TBN much more easy to live with. I too am an officer of a local chapter and a national club, and have been involved in coordination of TBN events (mostly local) so I have seen all aspects of each type of organization. They all have their benefits and challenges, positives and negatives. Unfortunately, from my experience, the more structured they are the more negatives there tend to be. Bottom line, all I, and I think most TBird owners want to do is enjoy our cars and socialize with other owners. Just explore the various type organizations and pick the one(s) that is the best fit. IMHO, TBN is an absolute must for retro TBird owners.

[MISTYEYED829]

Re: Thunderbird Appreciation Day

"Bottom line, all I, and I think most TBird owners want to do is enjoy our cars and socialize with other owners. Just explore the various type organizations and pick the one(s) that is the best fit. IMHO, TBN is an absolute must for retro TBird owners."

Well said Skip

[Skip]

Re: Thunderbird Appreciation Day

"Bottom line, all I, and I think most TBird owners want to do is enjoy our cars and socialize with other owners. Just explore the various type organizations and pick the one(s) that is the best fit. IMHO, TBN is an absolute must for retro TBird owners."

Well said Skip

Thanks, Kevin. And just to embellish my comments a little more - if you own a retro TBird, and are going to belong to only one TBird club or organization, it should be TBN.

[Rondor]

Re: Thunderbird Appreciation Day

Over the years I have been involved or participated in may group activities concerning cars. The people who get real active and involved more often than not develop an "attitude". Never understood why but it is a fact of life, Just like in most HOA's. And usually the ones who bitch the loudest do the least.

[Brad]

Re: Thunderbird Appreciation Day

Over the years I have been involved or participated in may group activities concerning cars. The people who get real active and involved more often than not develop an "attitude". Never understood why but it is a fact of life, Just like in most HOA's. And usually the ones who bitch the loudest do the least.

Generally, passion only lasts so long, eventually it can become obsession or something worse.