T-Bird

[levensnevel]

Thunderbirds are go :!:
Nice summary of the history of one of Ford's Icons:
http://www.thecarconnection.com/index.asp?article=6842

[crazidude]

what do u think of the newthunder bird. I dont know much about it but it looks gay.

[nthfinity]

its accelleration really supprised me. it has quite good balance. it is heavy. it is like royalty in some respects. i always got stares when i drove it, and that is priceless

[pimrusis]

Thunderbirds are amazing, my dad has two 1957's if you can believe that. A red one with a white hardtop and automatic transmission, and a black with a softtop and a stickshift - set up for light racing, by the previous owner, apparently.

[G.Boss]

i personally HATE t-birds. they just look like they are homosexual, not the ppl driving them, but the car itself

[T-Bird]

The new thunderbirds are ugly no doubt. But the older ones are way nicer, Ford's longest living Legend. Eventhough no one likes the new thunderbird styling without it there would be no new Ford GT or Shelby Cobra or Mustang GT styling because the new Thunderbird formed the Ford heritage team.

[HeilSvenska]

Achhh... if Ford was smart, it should have concentrated on the GT and the Cobra concept instead on spending a single penny to develop that horrible retro crap. (sorry T-Bird fans) It's fugly, Jinx from 007 Die Another Day drives one, and it has Lincoln LS interioR!!! down right horrid. There are some cars that can work really well as retro-biles but this is total failure

[T-Bird]

the new T-bird does not have an LS interior it's a two seater convertible and the LS is a 4 door sedan, and they look way different as well. and they weren't even thinking about the Shelby or the GT when they built the Thunderbird.

[graywolf624]

the new tbird: not a good performer. Poor seller. About 6 months ago ford said they were killing the car after this year. Some people don't believe it... we'll see.

[hemi_fan]

I like 1st gen (55-57) birds, especially because they were corvette eaters, and then they became huge honkin boats... (blunderturds as my dad calls them). Then, in 87, they made one I liked again, and the 90-96 models were not too bad either... these new ones look really nice IMO, but If i got one, id deffinitely want more power than its offering.

[graywolf624]

I like 1st gen (55-57) birds, especially because they were corvette eaters, and then they became huge honkin boats

Neither the first gen tbirds or the 1st gen corvettes were really barn stormers. The tbirds problem isnt that iut became a honking boat. It was a boat from the start. It just didnt get any better over the generatiosn alla the vette.

[T-Bird]

I like 1st gen (55-57) birds, especially because they were corvette eaters, and then they became huge honkin boats... (blunderturds as my dad calls them). Then, in 87, they made one I liked again, and the 90-96 models were not too bad either... these new ones look really nice IMO, but If i got one, id deffinitely want more power than its offering.

They went until 97 not 96 and the new one will have a Supercharger for this year and there is a Saleen version of the car aswell if you check their site, sadly they didn't have one at the Auto Show only the N2O (yes nitrous) Focus the 281E and the S7. they had the normal T-birds SC/NA at the Ford Display (1/5 of the whole show was the Ford Motor Company)

[hemi_fan]

yes, the T-bird SCs are awesome... but I still would prefer the 5.0L/4.6L HO versions... (i might buy one). I was pretty close with the dates... i was just guessing :D Even the Saleen IMO should have more power... what was it? I cant remember the exact number, but something like 300, or 320hp? Id want closer to 400hp because the car seems so heavy, but thats just me. What do you guys think about the Cougars? they started off kind of as a mustang sister car, and then became huge boats also, then turned into T-bird sister cars, then became FWD little sports cars... kinda jumpy that car is.

Edit: wow, made a lot of typos that i had to fix :cry:

[T-Bird]

well all you can get now is the 3.9 SC V8 or N/A V8. I have the 4.6L and I like the sound of it mainly and a little quicker than the SC of the same year and alot faster than the present T-Bird and the Saleen is more about looks rather than Speed (for the T-bird not the others) The Cougars were amazing in the 60's with the big ass engines and unique body (not exact replica of a T-bird ala 80's-90's) the new Cougar is a sad excuse for it's past I must say. BTW there is a new Lincoln version of the T-bird for 06 so I'm sure the T-bird will be around a little while. And the Lincoln Version has a sweet ass Hardtop convertible that's all glass like the SL 55 Glass top. The thing has huge ass Wheels and factory Brembo's they wouldn't talk about the engine sadly and the hood wouldn't open. :(

[hemi_fan]

The lincoln mark 10 i believe it is... that car is awesome... Mark 7 is also near the top of my shopping list! I have a question however... Which is the better engine: the pre-95 5.0L, or the post-95 4.6L? I have always wondered that and usually sided with the 5.0L because its just larger displacement, but which is really better?

[T-Bird]

the 4.6L is better, because they switched to an all Aluminum engine versus the old Iron block, they went SOHC and a year later DOHC, They added Direct Fual Injection a few years later, the 4.6L is a zero Tolerance engine so the piston goes all the way up to the rim of the cylinder for better compression. The power was way better The 5.0 guys are mostly BS when they talk about their engines. The crate motor 5.0's you buy today are very good because they aren't the old block or anything like that. the only thing is that the 5.0 does make a different sound but the advances with the 4.6L are amazing. Hell the new one has 300hp that's pretty damn good, and yes I know it's a new version of the 4.6L. the 4.6L's had better trannie's than the old 5.0 and better rear ends although the gearing was wrong for the dragstrip(easy fix). Personally I think the 4.6L Mustangs look better. And the T-bird is just as fast as the Mustang (T-bird has the Cobra rear end and suspension :D )

[hemi_fan]

wow, thats really good to know! I was sorta debating over 4.6L or 5.0L t-birds to look at (stangs arent really an issue cuz 95'+ stangs are out of my price range), but now it will make my decision a lot easier! thanx T-Bird

[graywolf624]

The lincoln mark 10 i believe it is

That is a concept car. Not exactly anything in regards to the car staying. They certainly dont have the sales to keep the car. Maybe they will change their mind on the cancelation though. Who knows.


the 4.6L is better, because they switched to an all Aluminum engine versus the old Iron block, they went SOHC and a year later DOHC

Would it shock you to learn that the 4.6l is significantly heavier then the 5.0L.

Both engines have their flaws and benefits. Neither is better. The 4.6 l is just cheaper to produce.



And the T-bird is just as fast as the Mustang (T-bird has the Cobra rear end and suspension )

Except it weighs far more. And I wouldn't brag about the cobras rear multilink suspension.

[T-Bird]

The lincoln mark 10 i believe it is

That is a concept car. Not exactly anything in regards to the car staying. They certainly dont have the sales to keep the car. Maybe they will change their mind on the cancelation though. Who knows.


the 4.6L is better, because they switched to an all Aluminum engine versus the old Iron block, they went SOHC and a year later DOHC

Would it shock you to learn that the 4.6l is significantly heavier then the 5.0L.

Both engines have their flaws and benefits. Neither is better. The 4.6 l is just cheaper to produce.



And the T-bird is just as fast as the Mustang (T-bird has the Cobra rear end and suspension )

Except it weighs far more. And I wouldn't brag about the cobras rear multilink suspension.
OK what I've read and heard the 4.6L weighs less than the old 5.0 but more than the new Ford Racing 5.0 would it suprise you to know that those are significantly different? and Yes I know the T-Bird weighs more but it still keeps up with the Mustangs I would Know. The 4.6L is better than the old 5.0 that's been proven hell I see old Fox Bodies with 4.6L's in them.

[graywolf624]

according to blue oval news the tbird has been extended to 2005. After that it may come back on the chopping block. Depends on their atrocious sales numbers.

[graywolf624]

sales numbers of tbird ..
2002 - 16652

Production to end in 2005 or 2006, for 2nd time; automaker says it's protecting collector value



http://www.detnews.com/2003/autosinsider/0304/22/a01-144063.htm

[nthfinity]

according to blue oval news the tbird has been extended to 2005. After that it may come back on the chopping block. Depends on their atrocious sales numbers.

since 2001, ford never intetended on producing a T-bird past 2005, with 2005 being the last production year. ford has been toying around with a turbocharged 3.9 pushing more hp/torque then the new SC 3.9... but with the SC 3.9's proven reliability, im unsure if its going to be a reality for the final production year as a top end model. one of the biggest issues (although somewhat dumb concidering how much hood there is) is a lack of room under the hood. there was quite a daisy chain of events to get the SC in, and have enough room.
the current t-bird isnt a sports car, but a luxury roadster in many respects except weight. i fell in love with the car after i drove it a bit on the hard side. its quite predictable, but not anywhere near a vette in performance.

[graywolf624]

Hate to say I told you so tbird.. but

http://money.cnn.com/2005/03/11/pf/autos/thunderbird/index.htm?cnn=yes

[nthfinity]

actually... thats only partially correct

it was originally intended through 2005, then almost put to an end in 2004. then sales increased, and all knew that 2005 would be it, unless sales came in huge. original plans had the T-bird V8 slated to recieve a turbo charger this year... doesnt look like thats going to happen. the plant is closing that section this summer... all of the lay-offs will be appointed to possitions elsewhere in the company (eg @ flat rock, or DAP etc.)

[graywolf624]

thats only partially correct

it was originally intended through 2005,

My previous posts in this thread:
according to blue oval news the tbird has been extended to 2005. After that
it may come back on the chopping block. Depends on their atrocious sales numbers.

About 6 months ago ford said they were killing the car after this year. Some people don't believe it

Any questions?

[nthfinity]

you know, i feel a little stupid... i only read page 1, now reading these posts... its pretty repetetive what ive said/you've said. sorry gray

[Anonymous]

Another article. . .

DETROIT - We had fun, fun, fun 'til Ford took the T-bird away. Again. Ford Motor Co. said Thursday the 2005 model year will be the last for the current-generation Ford Thunderbird, a retro-styled convertible that went on sale in August 2001.

Ford had planned to discontinue the Thunderbird after the 2005 or 2006 model year but told employees Thursday production will end in July.
"We promised all along that this Thunderbird would have a limited production run, and we're being true to our word," Ford Division President Steve Lyons said. "Thunderbird was a terrific image builder for the Ford brand showroom at a time when we needed it."

The Wixom Assembly Plant northwest of Detroit, which produces the Thunderbird, will continue to make the Lincoln LS and Town Car and also will be the final assembly point for the Ford GT supercar, which was released last year.

The Thunderbird, one of Ford's most celebrated nameplates, first went on sale in 1954. Its peak sales year was 1977, when 322,517 redesigned Thunderbirds were sold. The Thunderbird went through numerous design changes over the decades before going on hiatus in 1997.

The redesigned 2002 Thunderbird got off to a roaring start. Dealers were flooded with pre-orders and got $10,000 premiums on top of the car's sticker price of $30,000. It also won over critics, securing Motor Trend magazine's Car of the Year award.

But the flurry died down almost as quickly as it emerged. Ford had projected sales of 25,000 per year but fell well short of that mark. Just 11,998 Thunderbirds sold in 2004, 33 percent fewer than 2003.
Ford has sold a total of 54,360 new-generation Thunderbirds since 2001. The company said it has sold 4.2 million Thunderbirds since 1954.


http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20050311/ap_on_bi_ge/thunderbird_retirement_6

[pimrusis]

The new Thunderbird is just a Lincoln LS in a new body shell, which is rather irritating. The Thunderbird was one of Ford's best nameplates and to celebrate it they just slapped a body kit on a Lincoln LS. I'm glad it's gone.