Ford Thunderbird
Few cars in history are as iconic as the Thunderbird. That is quite a feat considering how many automobiles have been produced since Karl Benz built his first automobile in 1885. The rear wheel drive T-Bird was manufactured by the Ford Motor Company from 1955 to 2005. With over eleven generations, it was influential enough to create its own niche in the automotive market- the personal luxury car.
In its first year of production, the Thunderbird entered the marketplace as a sporty two-seat convertible, but it was not touted as a sports car like the Chevy Corvette. Ford intentionally positioned the vehicle as a more upscale car able to give the driver a luxurious ride. A rear seat was added in 1958 and succeeding generations kept getting bigger until the series was reduced in size in 1977, again in 1980, and downsized again in 1983.
The Gorgeous Convertible T-Bird
The Thunderbird was available in a convertible model in its second to fourth generations. Influenced by previous Ford hardtop convertible designs, the T-Bird was similar in appearance to the Lincoln convertible at the time.
The trunk was opened and closed via hydraulic cylinders. There was no need of a cover boot because the general appearance of the Thunderbird was sleek with no trace of a convertible hardtop at all. The forward end of the trunk lid housed a metal plate that extended upward. It covered the area that stowed the convertible top allowing it to remain unseen when lowered. Though visually appealing, this design presented an occasional challenge to those were responsible for fixing any malfunctions.
The convertibles had a complex system of solenoids, switches, relays, electric motors, hydraulics, valves, and cylinders. Though the hydraulics weren’t the cause problems very often, the same could not be said for the electrical relays. The failure of any of the relays, switches or motors would prevent the convertible from raising or lowering.
The First Generation Thunderbird
In response to the Chevy Corvette, the Ford Thunderbird was given life in 1953 just one month after the Corvette’s prototype was unveiled to the general public. It only took one year for the T-Bird to go from idea to prototype. It was unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show in 1954. The two-seat design offered a detachable glass fiber hard top or a folding fabric top.
Production officially began in 1954 and showcased circular tail lamps, headlamps, and unassertive tailfins. The speedometer went up to 150 mph which hinted it was a higher performing automobile than other Ford vehicles.
Ford put more emphasis on the car’s comfort and conveniences than its performance. It sold very well in its first year outselling the Corvette a surprising 23 to 1.
Since its inception, sales were good until the two-door coupes popularity in the 90s. Initial production of the Thunderbird came to a close in 1997, but was revived in 2002. The resurrected two-seat model was released and available until the close of the 2005 model year.
From its inception to its close, Ford manufactured over 4.4 million T-Birds.
