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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  the - 2003 Ford Thunderbird
  By L-E - February 22 - 2:00 am

  Have had the T-Bird just over a year and have had NO problems, other than having to get used to strangers talking to me constantly, waving, giving thumbs up, etc. While seats are adult-sized, which is GREAT, there isnt much room for anything else I even got a smaller purse. However, have done road trips with 4 cats and 2 dogs with no fighting. Trunk room is small, but Ive now seen smaller! (VW new beetle conv.). There is a wave of approval that floats your ride in this car, which is backed up by its exceptional performance (EXCELLENT acceleration when you want it).

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  There you go! - 2003 Ford Thunderbird
  By acesin - February 21 - 2:00 am

  Compared to the BMW 3-series and other cars of this category, taking into account cost etc. this car wins hands down. Look at this way...would you rather buy a car that looks like a Honda or Vega from the rear or this babe. Come on now...really! Also, she purrs like a cat!!

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  Get one if you can - 1994 Ford Thunderbird
  By v8tbirds - February 20 - 2:00 am

  If you can find a V8-Tbird, you wont be disappointed. The 4.6L V8 gives this large coupe much more verve than the standard V6. It is too bad that Ford discountinued its flagship personal coupe. It is a large coupe loaded with creature comforts. With the optional powersunroof and intergrated telephone this car cost about $18,000 new...a real bargain! Now I have driven this car daily, and routinely average 25mpg when cruising along the hi-way at 65mph...and taking it easy in the city streets.

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  Requiem for a Great Car - 1994 Ford Thunderbird
  By renabg - February 15 - 2:00 am

  Just ordered a new Mazda6 to replace my venerable 4.6L V8 T-Bird. Wonderful car for the past 9+ years. Had the torque converter shudder but synthetic fluid plus a cooler fixed that. Fastest electric windows Ive ever seen. Terrific road car. Replace orioginal tires with Michelin x-Ones. Perfect for the car. Car is wiped down and covered after every use. 147k miles on it and it looks like it just rolled off of the assembly line. Will be passing it to one of my sons who will care for it like I did.

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  NM BIRD 02 - 2002 Ford Thunderbird
  By NM BIRD 02 - February 15 - 2:00 am

  Happy car that provokes friendly conversation with friends and strangers who either have a TB story or just admire the looks, particularly the interior. Very enjoyable to drive. Terrific handling and response! Puts me in a good mood just to get in it and is even more fun than I thought it would be.

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  1997 Ford T-Bird LX - 1997 Ford Thunderbird
  By tomfal - February 14 - 2:00 am

  This Automobile is in near perfect condition. It runs quietly and responds like it did when new. The exterior is bright red, and is sporty in design. A photo is available. It has power locks, driver seat and windows. It has automatic drive, air conditioner, tilt wheel, and radio with cassette player. Snow tires are included. The interior is clean and the rear seat has almost never been used. A really nice used car!

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  tbirds kick ass, i have a 1988 tc also - 1990 Ford Thunderbird
  By jason stevenson - February 13 - 2:00 am

  i love tbirds, they are the best car i have even drove/seen

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  Birds of a feather... - 2002 Ford Thunderbird
  By jjl - February 13 - 2:00 am

  Definitely a head-turner. Just plain fun to drive. This cars style makes gawkers smile! I didnt expect it to drive like a Jag or an SL, and dont care if its only a Ford product. Im a father of 4 going through a mid-life crisis!! The most impractical car Ive ever bought, but I dont care!

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  The only car keep many years after paid. - 1994 Ford Thunderbird
  By rexb - February 12 - 2:00 am

  Love its V8. The only problem is the Fords Factory paint.

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  Wow...they got it right.... - 2003 Ford Thunderbird
  By steve p - February 12 - 2:00 am

  I saw the picture over two years ago, and started saving right away. The car responds to all my commands, and is built to seat a man of 6, 235. The weight of the vehicle (almost 3900 lbs) makes me feel like i have control and the power allows for quick accelaration and just wonderful confidence for passing. The subtle grumbling of the exhaust has me driving with the sound system off. Although i would of like to have seen a non-Lincoln interior and maybe a bit more trunk space, this car is all i hoped it would be...good job Ford, now teach the dealers what gas to recommend and that this is not a Focus or Mustang and the buyers are a bit more refined.