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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  ford thunderbirds eye view - 2004 Ford Thunderbird
  By wallace clark - April 8 - 2:00 am

  I absolutely love my thunderbird. The handling is tremendous. Its a fun car to drive and it definately turns a lot of heads. I couldnt ask for more. My wife just didnt want a convertable and now I cant keep her out of it.

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  "OUTSTANDING, APPEALING - 2004 Ford Thunderbird
  By Sharon E. Osborn - April 8 - 2:00 am

  We own the 2003, Desert Sky-blue Hardtop. Fun to drive, we love the car. Have had many differnt Fords during our driving lifetime. Still have a 72,A/C,351 Cleveland Eng, conv. red/white,outstanding to org. soft top. Both in our local parade this year. Hard to decide which one to drive! All models have their shorcomings, the T-Bird..not many.

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  WOW! FIFTIES FUN RE-VISITED - 2004 Ford Thunderbird
  By Curtis Patrick - April 8 - 2:00 am

  Car purchased brand new in 2002 (no category in upper field)Excellent fit inside & out. Superb paint job. Ford replaced bad battery---thats it. Drove from Kansas City, KS /MO to Las Vegas, NV., handled tight, strong firm. quiet & comfortable on highway quick to respond. Great Cruiser No mechanical probs. Great power at Loveland Pass at about 8,000 ft. in CO. C.P.

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  Day One Review - 2004 Ford Thunderbird
  By MapleRidge - April 8 - 2:00 am

  Drove the car about 100 miles with the top down in the Washington,DC suburbs. The car has great looks and styling. This car is fun to drive. The 280 horsepower from the 3.9L V8 engine gives plenty of power from both a standing start and when passing on the highway. The 17 inch V rated performance tires keep the car glued to the road.

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  Its a neat car - 2004 Ford Thunderbird
  By Tom Sullivan - April 8 - 2:00 am

  I have owned this car for over 8 months and I find it one to the best cars Iv ever owned. I think the car got a bum rap when it was first interduced when the Dealers were trying to get an 25 to 30% more because it was a new car on the market. Than Ford Motor could not deliver the T-birds because of production problem. It left a bad teast in the mouth of the buyers that wanted one. There is one bad guy in this whole marketing program and thats Ford Motor because its a great car and Ford just dropped the ball

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  380K on 5.0 V8 - 1993 Ford Thunderbird
  By TBird Lover - April 4 - 3:00 am

  I have a 93 T-Bird LX (was there any other trim level?) with a 5.0 V-8. This engine is unbelievable. The car now has over 380K miles on the original engine. Have only done oil, filters, plugs, wires and the engine is as strong as ever. Doesnt like anything less than 91 Octane.. unfortunately. I have replaced brake pads probably every 30K and rotors every 60K. Rear brakes have faired better. Replaced the transmission (at 120k) and rear main seal (at 250K). Has always had electrical system gremlins. The interior is falling apart and the body is showing signs of 10 NE winters. This engine is incredible.

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  Thunderbird sc - 1990 Ford Thunderbird
  By turbospeed - April 4 - 3:00 am

  great car , it will be perfect if ford didnt cut the cost so much visit www.sccoa.com for more info

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  Awesome - 2004 Ford Thunderbird
  By Dorian Callen - March 29 - 2:00 am

  The new Ford Thunderbird is fantastic.I have been trying to decide upon a car for a year. I could not find anything that had style, class, power. Then a friend had mentioned the Thunderbird (I hadnt even considered it). I test drove one and bought it the next day. I couldnt turn it down. I loved it soo much.I didnt even take the hard top off to see the conv. side to the car. I love it.........

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  Buy American!! - 2004 Ford Thunderbird
  By mblaauw - March 28 - 2:00 am

  Nicest car I have ever owned or driven and yes I have owned foreign cars.

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  Fun Car - 2004 Ford Thunderbird
  By RJRamos - March 23 - 2:00 am

  Enjoy the comfort and style T-bird brings to driving. Performs on a dime.Does need more trunk room. When handling on the road this car size and weight is more comfortable than many other cars in its class.