The main change was the ladder frame replacing a unibody architecture. At that time, Mustangwas taking over the market, and the Thunderbird needed another switch. In 1966 the fifth generation was in production. The third generation from 1961 started using a different approach. Before that, we saw the transformation from a classic two-seater with a convertible top. However, radical changes didn’t help and the car was dropped after the 2005 season. The company launched it in 2002, after a 5-year break. The Thunderbird was the roadster only in its final generation. Short History: The Comeback of the Classic Roadster ![]() That doesn’t mean there are no works or plans. The Blue Oval spokesmen are still quiet about it. The 2024 Ford Thunderbird EV could hijack the advantage over the competitors in this class. But, there is one unfinished project – a roadster. We saw it with all the products, including pickup truck. When Elon Musk promises something, his company delivers it. However, Ford is not giving up and the Thunderbird could be the ace up the sleeve. Tesla is leading the way in the EV segment. But, there is a realm where the manufacturer is not #1. They sell the most vehicles, the carmaker is involved in many segments, and there are a lot of innovations coming from the Blue Oval brand. With all this in mind, it is hard to believe that Ford will risk with the comeback of the Thunderbird.įord is dominating the US market in every way. Besides this small funky car, you can also find a few German premium brands and their products – BMW Z4, Audi TT, or Porsche Boxster. Mazda is still out there with the legendary Miata. Toyota is still involved in all segments, but even the Japanese company is not offering such a vehicle. But, every now and then, some throwback flashes with the announcement of a new vehicle. You won’t find as many of these vehicles as before. ![]() If you can overlook that and have $149,900 (£109,694 / €124,460) to spare, you can buy it now.Convertible roadsters are a rarity nowadays. To make matters even worse, the owner only drove the car for several hundred miles after effectively ‘ruining’ it with the modifications. This is unfortunate as originality is key, especially when it comes to one of a kind vehicles. ![]() Instead, the owner decided to “elevate this prototype to a complete and accurate example as Saleen and Bonspeed intended it to be.” As part of this process, they had Dominator Street Rods remove the 3.9-liter V8 and install a 4.6-liter Ford Racing crate motor that reportedly produces 350 hp (261 kW / 355 PS) and 330 lb-ft (447 Nm) of torque. The Thunderbird is an interesting piece of automotive history, but it’s no longer original. While that never happened, it would have been a serious improvement over the standard model’s output of 252 hp (188 kW / 255 PS) and 267 lb-ft (362 Nm). ![]() The model also has a custom tonneau cover, two small spoilers and unique 19-inch wheels.Īccording to a nearly 20 year Motor Trend article, the model was supposed to arrive at dealerships in the spring of 2003 with a supercharged 3.9-liter V8 engine that produced around 365 hp (272 kW / 370 PS) and 390 lb-ft (529 Nm) of torque. A prototype had been built by this time and it featured a more aggressive front bumper, a sportier hood scoop and extended side skirts.
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