Overview & Reviews
Unlike today, vehicle choices were pretty limited 50 years ago when the Ford Thunderbird first took flight. There were sedans, coupes, station wagons and convertibles, but essentially a Ford was a Ford -- straightforward variations on a common design. With the 1955 T-bird, however, Ford introduced the notion of a sporty "personal luxury car" -- a close-coupled two-seater with V8 power, a cushy ride and elegant styling. It also had the simple construction and reasonable price of a Ford.
What that first cozy Thunderbird convertible didn't have was much extra room for more people and things -- but when this was addressed in 1958, Ford's Thunderbird really took off. That year it became a bigger, heavier car, a four-seater available as a coupe or convertible with a blocky body that gave rise to the nickname "Square Bird." A much cleaner fighter jet-inspired body design debuted in the early 1960s and the sleek, missile-like profile earned these cars the moniker "Bullet Bird." The mid-'60s saw sharper-edged lines for the body, though the basic platform remained mostly unchanged.
Things really started to get weird in the later '60s, '70s and early '80s. Within this span of time, the Thunderbird convertible was dropped, a four-door version with suicide doors and landau irons was offered briefly, the car grew to the size and shape of a Lincoln Mark IV and was then downsized twice, first in 1977 and again to a Fairmont-based platform in 1980. Yep, the Ford Thunderbird "celebrated" its 25th anniversary in fine style, riding atop an economy car's chassis and sporting less than 130 horsepower from its V8 engine. But it did have a heavily padded landau top complete with opera lights as well as a digital dashboard, so things weren't that bad, right?
Interesting things happened during the mid- and late 1980s, when style and performance returned in the form of the Thunderbird Turbo Coupe and its successor, the Super Coupe. The former had a turbocharged inline-4 while the latter sported a supercharged V6. The Thunderbird stayed with this format (standard coupe with V6 or V8 power and the hyper Super Coupe) through the late 1990s, at which point the Thunderbird died a quiet death due to slow sales and general disinterest in the personal luxury coupe market.
For the new millennium, Ford resurrected the Thunderbird. As a full-circle, retro-inspired return of the original two-seat roadster, the new Thunderbird garnered plenty of attention and initial hype. Still more about motoring with a little extra flair and panache than driving fast and hard, the Thunderbird seemed poised for success. It never met with much critical acclaim, however. Sales were brisk at first but slowed considerably afterwards. Ford ended production after four years.
Those shopping for a used Ford Thunderbird built in the last 20 years have lots of choices in terms of configurations, powertrains and styling. The best T-birds from the 1990s are the ones with V8 power. Driving enthusiasts may want to look for the performance-oriented but much rarer Super Coupe from the same era. Finally, the more recent two-seat roadster will no doubt satisfy those with retro "cruising" fantasies and could quite possibly become a future classic.
Most Recent Ford Thunderbird
In 1999 Ford displayed a concept car that brought the Thunderbird back full-circle to its roots as an open two-seat roadster. The response was overwhelming, and three years later it had a production version ready for 2002. The designers did such a great job that this "modern" Thunderbird managed to preserve the sleek styling cues of the original without looking like a four-wheel caricature.
As a basis, Ford used the same platform as it did for the Lincoln LS sedan. As such, some criticism was leveled at the Thunderbird's interior, as it was perceived as being too similar to the LS's and lacking in design flair. At the time, we suspected that buyers would have accepted a higher sticker price in exchange for unique, Thunderbird-specific pieces for the dash and center console. The pleated leather seats and door panels, however, recalled the days when auto upholstery resembled the seating in a diner's booth.
On the road, the new 'Bird performed quite well with its independent suspension and 3.9-liter V8 with a five-speed automatic transmission. But it didn't make the claims of a sports car; its mission in life was that of a comfortable boulevard cruiser. The Thunderbird gained 28 hp in 2003 for a total of 280. Detail changes marked its final couple years, with trim and paint changes and a Light Sand Appearance Package in 2004, and 50th-anniversary badging and more trim changes inside and out for 2005. Though flawed, it was still fun to drive and fun to be seen driving, and it largely succeeded at straddling the fine line between luxury and performance.
Past Ford Thunderbird models
The previous-generation Ford Thunderbird coupe was produced from 1989-'97. At its debut, a new fully independent suspension helped ride and handling, but acceleration was disappointing due to the combination of a hefty curb weight and 140-hp base V6. A more inspiring alternative was the new Thunderbird Super Coupe, (SC) which used a supercharged version of the V6 to produce 210 hp. It transferred its power to the rear wheels through either a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic transmission. A special-edition 35th-anniversary model of the Thunderbird SC arrived in 1990, and a 200-hp 5.0-liter V8 returned to the Thunderbird lineup in 1991 -- the preferred choice for most Thunderbird buyers.
The base Ford Thunderbird was dropped from the 1993 lineup, and the car was now available either as an LX (with either the V6 or V8), or as a Super Coupe with the supercharged V6. Dual airbags were made standard in 1994, and this car also featured revised front-end styling and Ford's new, more refined SOHC 4.6-liter V8. The Super Coupe flew the coop after '95, leaving just the LX model to soldier on. There was a new instrument cluster in 1997 plus some new colors and a new rear spoiler, but the car itself was doomed as Ford shifted its focus to increasingly popular -- and profitable -- SUVs and trucks.
In reviews of this Thunderbird, our editors wrote that they liked the car's sporty coupe body style, V8 power and reasonable price. With its decent-size backseat, we claimed that it was "a car for closet enthusiasts who need a car that is more mature than the Mustang."
User Reviews:
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Thunderbird 2004 - Head turner - 2005 Ford Thunderbird
By Robert Snow - April 16 - 12:09 pmMy Thunderbird will be a year old next month and I have really enjoyed this automobile. The top is easy to remove and comes with a storage rack that is also easy to move around and keep out of the way. I had been with MBs for the past 12 years, including an SLK, which was a complete nightmare. I find Fords quality and workmanship with this auto excellent. I wish they had offered a hybrid model, with gasoline reaching these high levels. However, as an owner, I love driving my TB around and about.
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Fantastic TB - 2005 Ford Thunderbird
By Neil - April 16 - 10:49 amOur Thunderbird convertible is so much fun to ride around in. It is a head turning, fantastic ride. If I had to do it over again, I would purchase the same car. My husband and I have a lot of fun driving around town and to the coast. We are trying to figure out how we can carry it with us when we begin full time camping. We will find the answer to this problem as the car will go with us.
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Fun, Fun, Fun - 2002 Ford Thunderbird
By Dee - April 13 - 1:07 pmInherited this little beauty from my godmother with only 3k miles on it - I cant believe now that I tried to talk her out of buying it! (She and her husband had matching 55s in their day). The "Bird" helped to make her last few months more enjoyable, and will now give me several years of enjoyment. Great vehicle performance, and what a head turner!
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Fun from the past! - 2005 Ford Thunderbird
By LambertDDS - April 12 - 11:03 pmGreat design for a sports car. Wonderful to drive, driving out of the past and back to the future. I have always wanted a vintage Tbird now I have that car with todays features.
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Best Bird yet - 2002 Ford Thunderbird
By Leisha TBN - April 7 - 5:00 pmBest and most fun car a 50 year old could want!
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Limited Edition 2005 T-bird - 2005 Ford Thunderbird
By Bill D - April 4 - 11:05 pmMost enjoyable vehicle I have ever owned. The limited edition medal flake paint job is stunning in the sunlight. Surprisingly quiet with the top down. Even at highway speeds a normal conversation is possible. This vehicle has more than enough power and handling through hills and curves never disappoints. Now that this is the last year of production I am tempted to buy a second one while they still are available.
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buy a T-bird! - 1992 Ford Thunderbird
By imacountrygirl - April 4 - 9:17 pmI bought this car in 2002 and have had minor problems. Ive replaced the alternator, brake pads/shoes, battery, and tires. The rear axle has a slight leak. The car needs antifreeze filled every few months. I want to install new headlights because mine are very yellow. Also changed transmission fluid last summer. All warning lights work!
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Extraordinary Vehicle - 2005 Ford Thunderbird
By D Hutcherson - March 31 - 2:20 amMy wife and I purchased this extraordinary vehicle for two reasons. The first beauty (this is a beautiful car). Second speed (you cant go wrong with 280 H.P.).
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I LOVE MY TBIRD - 2005 Ford Thunderbird
By mayra V. Perez - March 30 - 11:10 pmIt is a fun car to drive and if you are a people person you will love it. I must meet about four people a week that want to talk about the car! I love the way it drives and handles smooth.
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Wileys Bird - 2005 Ford Thunderbird
By Mr. Cs Bird - March 30 - 10:24 pmThe car is fun to drive anywhere, whether it be in town or out in the country. People on the street or in cars next to it are always giving it a thumbs up and it fits in, in any circle. The trim inside and out might be a little subdued for some, but that is what the retro look is all about isnt it? A couple of my friends have BMW Z3 and a 3 series convertible and they are nice too, but they werent made to bring back that nostalgic feeling of old.
