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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  Barbs T-Bird - 1996 Ford Thunderbird
  By barbara broglan - June 18 - 2:00 am

  I began .ooking for a used car in January of 2002. In March I saw the T- Bird and immediatly knew it was the car I had been looking for. It had been painted "Petty Blue" even though the title still said "black." I tried to talk myself out of it and look around but every road led back to that car. Finally without even a test drive, I went to the bank and got the money from my savings account to buy it. The first time I drove it was when I drove it off the lot as my very own. I was satisfied immensely then and now.

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  Great Car - 1997 Ford Thunderbird
  By Victor Fonseca - June 17 - 2:00 am

  Great Car. Very upset Ford didnt stopped making the model after 97 and started with the new model in 2000 Car has great handling and speed, great ride comfort. All the controls are there and easy. There really isnt a word to descibe it but awesome. Last Car Ill but Id rather restore it as it ages then buy a different car

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  NICE Bird!! - 1996 Ford Thunderbird
  By kpc96 - June 14 - 2:00 am

  i bought this bird new with the sport package ( v8, spoiler, wheels, etc.) never had any problems, would never trade it in!..excellent styling, good power, very reliable!..all i added was my own stereo and speakers, k&n intake kit, and just recnetly put a new set of pirellis on!!..super car, couldnt ask for more for the 20K i paid when new!

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  Easily The Best Car Ive Ever Driven - 2002 Ford Thunderbird
  By BL56 - June 14 - 2:00 am

  This car is unbelievable. It handles like a go-kart but the ride is smooth. The 3.9 litre V-8 sounds like a Formula 1 engine as it approaches the almost 7000 rpm redline. It is fast but very refined. The styling literally draws a crowd everywhere I go. I have driven or owned cars of every type and this is the best. I bought it to resell but Im keeping it!

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  Instant Classic - 2002 Ford Thunderbird
  By texpony - June 11 - 2:00 am

  A pleasure to drive and a head-turner! Had to wait 13 months from the time myh order was placed, but well worth the wait. Only car I ever bought that was worth more when I drove it off the dealers lot. Only downside is lack of fuel economy, but I bought it for pleasure and not daily driving.

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  Lemon Buy Back - 1996 Ford Thunderbird
  By Marquesa - June 2 - 2:00 am

  the above refers to "automatic thermostat control" which I dont find to be a problem. Mechanically, never had any repairs. thermostat does give heat and a/c works most efficiently

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  Used with Best Care Warranty - 1995 Ford Thunderbird
  By Ettu65 - June 1 - 2:00 am

  At just under 79000 miles I lost the head gasket and had scoring on the crank and cam. With the Best Care Warranty, I now have a new engine and should get another 200,000 miles out of this car. This car is an ideal drive for any distance. My monthly trips across the Plains (750miles) is a pleasure except that I have no place for my coffee cup. The 3.8L engine runs solid and steady with a surprising great gas milage of better than 34 mpg.

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  Franks TBIRD - 2004 Ford Thunderbird
  By frank ditta - May 25 - 2:00 am

  1)The TBird really handles 2)Fit and Finish is above Fords normal 3)The negitive is getting in and out of the car with the tops on .(Head Clearence (NG). 4)The car has plenty of power.

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  Overpriced, overhyped piece of scrap. - 2002 Ford Thunderbird
  By Marge Walker - May 22 - 2:00 am

  My husband bought this car for me, and I was shocked to learn its a $50,000 car. For the engine I got and the styling of the ride, its worth probably half that amount. The Ford hype-machine lives on, and definitely reeled my husband in, hook-line-and- sinker.

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  My Review - 1994 Ford Thunderbird
  By ironchopz - May 20 - 2:00 am

  Purchased used in 4/97 with 28325 miles mileage now: 171700. Im very pleased with how the car has held up. The car is driven a lot. Its very comfortable, and enjoyable to drive. This T-bird routinely gets 23mpg+. Compared to the smaller engines (< 2.5L) that get 26-30mpg, this Bird (V- 8/4.6L) sips gas its a better value than the smaller-engine vehicles. Ive towed a 6x12 U-Haul trailer through the Rockies: the engine never ran hot & fuel economy didnt drop much (19-20mpg w/ full car and trailer). Cons: the doors are heavy & go out of alignment periodically. The Premium Sound CD system is installed, but it lacks the punch an aftermarket CD player would have.