Ford Retires Thunderbird

Perian · 03-10-2005, 06:38 PM

Source: Associated Press

--------------------------------------------------------------------

2005 Thunderbird to Be the Last for Ford
Thursday March 10, 5:40 pm ET
By Dee-Ann Durbin, AP Auto Writer
Ford to Retire Current Thunderbird, a Retro-Styled Convertible, After 2005 Model Year

DETROIT (AP) -- We had fun, fun, fun 'til Ford took the T-bird away. 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 company said.

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.

AdmiralViscen · 03-10-2005, 06:43 PM

Good, clear out that two seater halo car to make way for a a five-seater volume seller. I want an attainable Thunderbird back on Ford lots!

pupp1 · 03-10-2005, 06:48 PM

Another great name fallen.This is a sad day for tbird lovers.

AdmiralViscen · 03-10-2005, 07:11 PM

The nameplate died in 1997. Ever since launch, Ford has been saying that the Thunderbird would see a limited run in its current form.

mk1700 · 03-10-2005, 07:39 PM

All the big birds flow away!
No Fire or Thunder.
A real shame!
Is the true american car death?

**Rex Raider** · 03-10-2005, 08:07 PM

The recent T-bird's biggest flaw was that it was only a 2 seater.
A car like that you want to cruise in, and go to the country club to play golf with your wife and another couple.

I bet that the nameplate will return one day.

the prix · 03-10-2005, 08:17 PM

So, so sad.

**mgescuro** · 03-10-2005, 08:20 PM

Maybe if the car didnt' look like a dead catfish with its mouth wide open, it would ahve sold more.

pupp1 · 03-10-2005, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mgescuro

Maybe if the car didn't look like a dead catfish with its mouth wide open, it would have sold more.

Ouch,that was cruel.

Slack · 03-10-2005, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mgescuro

Maybe if the car didnt' look like a dead catfish with its mouth wide open, it would ahve sold more.

What are you talking about? Didn't you ever see a Thunderbird with a continental kit? Talk about instant classic!!! I can only imagine how much it helped the car's balance.

Birdman95 · 03-10-2005, 08:43 PM

I may be a bit biased (I owned an '87 and have a '95 'bird), but I think what Ford should have done all along was to come out with a new midsize 5 seater coupe, that actually could have sold well. I like my coupes, but Monte Carlos and Grand Prixs don't do anything for me. I need 'em rear-wheel drive and with a nice V8. My '95 Thunderbird isn't gonna last forever, and I want something new! Hopefully the name will come back someday; there's just too much recognition behind it to bury it forever.

Jay · 03-10-2005, 08:44 PM

One less interesting face at the world's boring-est car company ever! What a pathetic company!!!

GM_Guy81 · 03-10-2005, 08:46 PM

that thing was retro gone horribly wrong. The mustang is good retro, that thing was just nasty.. and underpowered.

redtruck1002 · 03-10-2005, 08:47 PM

Cruel, but true.

chadbarb99 · 03-10-2005, 08:47 PM

No big loss, it was gutless anyway

03-10-2005, 06:38 PM	#1 (permalink)
Perian News Contributor Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: New York Drives: 2008 Saab 9-5 Sedan Posts: 4,048	Ford Retires Thunderbird Source: Associated Press -------------------------------------------------------------------- 2005 Thunderbird to Be the Last for Ford Thursday March 10, 5:40 pm ET By Dee-Ann Durbin, AP Auto Writer Ford to Retire Current Thunderbird, a Retro-Styled Convertible, After 2005 Model Year DETROIT (AP) -- We had fun, fun, fun 'til Ford took the T-bird away. 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 company said. 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.

03-10-2005, 06:43 PM	#2 (permalink)
AdmiralViscen 7.0 Liter LS7 V8 Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: New York Posts: 7,501	Re: Ford Retires Thunderbird Good, clear out that two seater halo car to make way for a a five-seater volume seller. I want an attainable Thunderbird back on Ford lots! __________________ God Bless the Blue Bullet.

03-10-2005, 06:48 PM	#3 (permalink)
pupp1 News Contributor Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 1,141	Re: Ford Retires Thunderbird Another great name fallen.This is a sad day for tbird lovers.

03-10-2005, 07:11 PM	#4 (permalink)
AdmiralViscen 7.0 Liter LS7 V8 Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: New York Posts: 7,501	Re: Ford Retires Thunderbird The nameplate died in 1997. Ever since launch, Ford has been saying that the Thunderbird would see a limited run in its current form. __________________ God Bless the Blue Bullet.

03-10-2005, 07:39 PM	#5 (permalink)
mk1700 3.6 Liter V6 Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Guadalajara, Mexico Drives: 2002 Opel Astra 1.8L Posts: 1,241	Re: Ford Retires Thunderbird All the big birds flow away! No Fire or Thunder. A real shame! Is the true american car death? __________________

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03-10-2005, 08:07 PM	#6 (permalink)
Rex Raider Administrator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Toronto, Canada Drives: 2009 Camry Hybrid (company car) Posts: 11,782	Re: Ford Retires Thunderbird The recent T-bird's biggest flaw was that it was only a 2 seater. A car like that you want to cruise in, and go to the country club to play golf with your wife and another couple. I bet that the nameplate will return one day. __________________ Sure, I drive a Toyota, but at least I don't have to pay for it.

03-10-2005, 08:17 PM	#7 (permalink)
the prix 3.8 Liter V6 Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Savannah, GA Posts: 330	Re: Ford Retires Thunderbird So, so sad. __________________ Well, you fellas' gonna draw them guns or you gonna whistle Dixie?

03-10-2005, 08:20 PM	#8 (permalink)
mgescuro GMI Staff Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: San Francisco Bay Area Posts: 24,248	Re: Ford Retires Thunderbird Maybe if the car didnt' look like a dead catfish with its mouth wide open, it would ahve sold more. __________________ 2000 Saab 9-5 Aero 1995 Mercedes C280 1994 Jaguar XJ6 ...when all hope is gone, you know sad songs say so much... My Vision of Cadillac My Vision of Cadillac (REDUX)

03-10-2005, 08:43 PM	#11 (permalink)
Birdman95 Walking Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Minnesota Drives: '95 Thunderbird LX V8, '06 Impala LT 3.9 Posts: 11	Re: Ford Retires Thunderbird I may be a bit biased (I owned an '87 and have a '95 'bird), but I think what Ford should have done all along was to come out with a new midsize 5 seater coupe, that actually could have sold well. I like my coupes, but Monte Carlos and Grand Prixs don't do anything for me. I need 'em rear-wheel drive and with a nice V8. My '95 Thunderbird isn't gonna last forever, and I want something new! Hopefully the name will come back someday; there's just too much recognition behind it to bury it forever. Last edited by Birdman95 : 03-10-2005 at 08:45 PM. Reason: needed to add some stuff...

03-10-2005, 08:44 PM	#12 (permalink)
Jay 3.8 Liter V6 Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Ottawa, Canada Drives: '95 Saturn coupe Posts: 430	Re: Ford Retires Thunderbird One less interesting face at the world's boring-est car company ever! What a pathetic company!!! __________________ 1995 Saturn Coupe

03-10-2005, 08:46 PM	#13 (permalink)
GM_Guy81 5.3 Liter Vortec V8 Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 1,267	Re: Ford Retires Thunderbird that thing was retro gone horribly wrong. The mustang is good retro, that thing was just nasty.. and underpowered. __________________ "Government at its best is a necessary evil, at its worst it is an intolerable one" - Thomas Paine

03-10-2005, 08:47 PM	#14 (permalink)
redtruck1002 1.8 Liter ECOTEC Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 37	Re: Ford Retires Thunderbird Cruel, but true.

03-10-2005, 08:47 PM	#15 (permalink)
chadbarb99 3.8 Liter Supercharged V6 Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 728	Re: Ford Retires Thunderbird No big loss, it was gutless anyway

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