- Last seen
- Joined
- Aug 27, 2002
- Thunderbird Year
- 2002
Calm, Cool & Collectible
By John ***frey
Some automobiles ? like some people you may know ? have to work very hard to be cool. Not the Ford Thunderbird. This timeless classic doesn't rely on attitude or artifice or affectation. It's stylish without being garish, a leader that never slows down long enough to become a follower.
"The Thunderbird is the car for inwardly confident, independent-minded people," says Andy Jacobson, Ford's assistant marketing manager for Thunderbird, Mustang and Ford GT. "This vehicle is effortless in its performance. It's quick and handles well, but it's also comfortable. It's not for the racetrack. It's for your life."
These core attributes do more than simply separate this 'Bird from the rest of the flock; they also help make it one of the most collectible Ford vehicles on the market today. "Of all the vehicles Ford has produced, those original Thunderbirds have some of the highest values in the vintage car market," Jacobson explains.
Don't be the least bit surprised if the current breed of T-Birds become collector's items too. When Ford relaunched the vehicle two years ago, it limited the production run of these "retrofuturistic" convertibles, developing special colors and options exclusive to each model year. Ford also limited the T-bird's availability to just four model years: 2002-2005 . Translation: If you want to climb onboard, the time to act is now.
Fashion Statements
When Ford's designers and engineers set out to build this year's model, they knew that everything was good under the hood. (In fact, the 2003 and 2004 engines are identical.) For those who are so inclined, the 2004 'Bird can go from zero to 60 in 6.5 seconds and the ride is silky smooth. Indeed, the enhancements for this year's model are mostly aesthetic, and that suits Ford just fine. "The Thunderbird is something of a fashion statement," says Jacobson. "This is a car you wear."
Just ask Billy and Mary Wallace from Franklin, Texas. The two are prototypically passionate T-Bird lovers and have been so for the better part of five decades. They currently own three 'Birds ? two 2002 models and one 2003 ? and they can't help but notice the swiveling heads that follow them whenever they go for a spin.
"Our yellow Thunderbird is a great attention-getter," Mary says. "Strangers stop and take pictures of it. It's truly amazing the way people respond to these sweet cars."
Devoted though they may be, the Wallaces are not yet satisfied: "We had a Birdhouse built to park our 'Birds, and we have room for one more," Mary says. "We're hoping the 2004 model will be available in a pale green, like the 1956 T-Bird we had way back when."
Well, it looks like a new pet may be moving into the Wallaces' Birdhouse. In addition to the three base colors for 2004 ? Platinum Silver, Torch Red and Evening Black ? Ford is introducing two new fashion colors exclusive to the 2004 model year: Merlot and Vintage Mint Green.
Color Wheels
Ford's decision to release these stylish new colors is both a nod to the past and a step toward the future. "Vintage Mint Green is a reintroduction of the green that was available on the original T-Bird in the late 1950s," Jacobson explains. The rich, just-plucked-off-the vine tone of the Merlot, on the other hand, possesses a distinctly 21st-century feel: "Merlot just looks fantastic on the car," Jacobson continues.
"Especially when it's packaged with our brand-new Light Sand interior. That combination is dynamite."
As if these options weren't enough, early next year Ford will introduce a special 2004 T-bird ? the Pacific Coast Roadster. Like the 2002 Neiman Marcus Edition T-Bird that sold out in a matter of hours, and the 2003 007 Edition that coincided with the launch of the film Die Another Day, the Pacific Coast Roadster will only be available in limited numbers.
How many? Only 1,000. And Jacobson promises that the Pacific Coast Roadster will capture the sense of "relaxed sportiness" that has become a T-Bird trademark over the years. "It's inspired by its namesake," he says playfully, knowing full well that his words will tantalize. "
Think Pacific Coast, Highway One, Big Sur ? and you'll be right on target."
By John ***frey
Some automobiles ? like some people you may know ? have to work very hard to be cool. Not the Ford Thunderbird. This timeless classic doesn't rely on attitude or artifice or affectation. It's stylish without being garish, a leader that never slows down long enough to become a follower.
"The Thunderbird is the car for inwardly confident, independent-minded people," says Andy Jacobson, Ford's assistant marketing manager for Thunderbird, Mustang and Ford GT. "This vehicle is effortless in its performance. It's quick and handles well, but it's also comfortable. It's not for the racetrack. It's for your life."
These core attributes do more than simply separate this 'Bird from the rest of the flock; they also help make it one of the most collectible Ford vehicles on the market today. "Of all the vehicles Ford has produced, those original Thunderbirds have some of the highest values in the vintage car market," Jacobson explains.
Don't be the least bit surprised if the current breed of T-Birds become collector's items too. When Ford relaunched the vehicle two years ago, it limited the production run of these "retrofuturistic" convertibles, developing special colors and options exclusive to each model year. Ford also limited the T-bird's availability to just four model years: 2002-2005 . Translation: If you want to climb onboard, the time to act is now.
Fashion Statements
When Ford's designers and engineers set out to build this year's model, they knew that everything was good under the hood. (In fact, the 2003 and 2004 engines are identical.) For those who are so inclined, the 2004 'Bird can go from zero to 60 in 6.5 seconds and the ride is silky smooth. Indeed, the enhancements for this year's model are mostly aesthetic, and that suits Ford just fine. "The Thunderbird is something of a fashion statement," says Jacobson. "This is a car you wear."
Just ask Billy and Mary Wallace from Franklin, Texas. The two are prototypically passionate T-Bird lovers and have been so for the better part of five decades. They currently own three 'Birds ? two 2002 models and one 2003 ? and they can't help but notice the swiveling heads that follow them whenever they go for a spin.
"Our yellow Thunderbird is a great attention-getter," Mary says. "Strangers stop and take pictures of it. It's truly amazing the way people respond to these sweet cars."
Devoted though they may be, the Wallaces are not yet satisfied: "We had a Birdhouse built to park our 'Birds, and we have room for one more," Mary says. "We're hoping the 2004 model will be available in a pale green, like the 1956 T-Bird we had way back when."
Well, it looks like a new pet may be moving into the Wallaces' Birdhouse. In addition to the three base colors for 2004 ? Platinum Silver, Torch Red and Evening Black ? Ford is introducing two new fashion colors exclusive to the 2004 model year: Merlot and Vintage Mint Green.
Color Wheels
Ford's decision to release these stylish new colors is both a nod to the past and a step toward the future. "Vintage Mint Green is a reintroduction of the green that was available on the original T-Bird in the late 1950s," Jacobson explains. The rich, just-plucked-off-the vine tone of the Merlot, on the other hand, possesses a distinctly 21st-century feel: "Merlot just looks fantastic on the car," Jacobson continues.
"Especially when it's packaged with our brand-new Light Sand interior. That combination is dynamite."
As if these options weren't enough, early next year Ford will introduce a special 2004 T-bird ? the Pacific Coast Roadster. Like the 2002 Neiman Marcus Edition T-Bird that sold out in a matter of hours, and the 2003 007 Edition that coincided with the launch of the film Die Another Day, the Pacific Coast Roadster will only be available in limited numbers.
How many? Only 1,000. And Jacobson promises that the Pacific Coast Roadster will capture the sense of "relaxed sportiness" that has become a T-Bird trademark over the years. "It's inspired by its namesake," he says playfully, knowing full well that his words will tantalize. "
Think Pacific Coast, Highway One, Big Sur ? and you'll be right on target."
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