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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  great car - 1993 Ford Thunderbird
  By mrgrinster - September 3 - 2:00 am

  ok i am a auto techician and i like the car it has been good to me i did have to put head gaskets in it but that is par for course it will happen sooner than later so be prepared but all that aside the car runs great it even pulls my boat really good so itcant be all bad and the tail lights on the trunk lid that has the t-bird symbol the bulbs are not replaceable so if you have one burn out go to a junk yard and get one that works or spend 220 dollars at the dealership for one

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  Cant Stop Smiling - 2002 Ford Thunderbird
  By New Birdman - September 3 - 2:00 am

  Picked up the Thunderbird blue with the partial blue interior. This car definitely turns heads. People speed up to get a glimpse on the highway. You wont make any quick trips to the market after purchase--everyone wants to gawk and talk about it. It drives like a dream too. Lots of power and 0- 60 in nothing flat. Dont buy it though if you want a Porsche. Buy a Porsche. This is a luxury car ride, not a sportscar. Cant understand complaints about fit and finish or interior style--didnt those people look at it before they bought it? Bottom line is: Ford got it right both inside and out.

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  you got to love them they need a lot of - 1994 Ford Thunderbird
  By jim wilson - August 28 - 2:00 am

  you guessed it transmition problems sliping leaky seals,bad placement for a cup holder,and front end parts replaced yearly,the doors are also too heavy and are all out of wack and dont close right,not a good car for the fix it yourselfer,youll spend alot of $$ on special tools

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  Overpriced - 2002 Ford Thunderbird
  By Chris Edwards - August 27 - 2:00 am

  This is a great looking convetible, but way too much money! My Sebring was just as much fun at half the price. I used to be impressed by the Jaguars too, but then again, it was pointed out to me that for $50,000 even Yugo can build a good looking car.

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  great thunderbird - 1996 Ford Thunderbird
  By chris dugan - August 25 - 2:00 am

  this is a grat reliable car to have

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  my t-bird - 1991 Ford Thunderbird
  By Deven Olsen - August 23 - 2:00 am

  this car has alot of work done to it. it had a new starter, alternator, battery, transmission, rear axle, and some more. it is in the shop for a mew tire now. i hade baught the car at 25,000 kms (19,250mi.) and now it has 45,000 kms (34,615mi.) i have did the rocker panels when i baught it. it is a really nice car!!

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  95 T-Bird Performance - 1995 Ford Thunderbird
  By Enemec - August 19 - 2:00 am

  I purchased this car new with the V8 and all the options. The car has performed well over the last seven (7) years. The 4.6 liter has plenty of power and so far no problems. This is a great American coupe that Ford should be proud of.

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  T-bird back with a vengeance - 2004 Ford Thunderbird
  By BodySnatcher - August 18 - 2:00 am

  A comfortable head-turner with power when you need it. More storage space than the vette... an emphasis on comfort but punch the pedal and enjoy the thrust. A hard top when you want one (in my case that means the winter months) a convertible when you dont. Six CD changer, stereo system that is as good as anything out there. A boomers delight, revisit the past with the comforts of today.

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  WOW....Great Car...Ford not promoting. - 2004 Ford Thunderbird
  By stanley g - August 18 - 2:00 am

  I can only say that every time i drive this car i am exhilarated from the moment i walk up to it until the minute i lock it up....looks, handling and a new feeling every time i drive....not too much for me to want with this touring gem....great job ford, except for the lackluster promotion and at times treating this world class car like an average citizen in the showroom.......

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  Love my Birds - 2002 Ford Thunderbird
  By Sooner Bird Lover - August 17 - 2:00 am

  Shocking to read any poor reviews. It’s $40k, not $50k dont blame the car if you paid $10k over sticker. Radio has auto-volume control (it doesnt come programmed, see owners manual). Acceleration, handling, ride, braking, are ideal for the style of car. 91 octane gas is recommended if youre unhappy with performance, try feeding it right. Its not a sports car the luxury car ride is perfect for any kind of driving other than racing. Shifts are very smooth you CAN shift manually. The interior is plane, but it’s a retro-styled car. How much interior styling did you get in cars made 40-50 years ago? Styling REALLY turns heads.