ALT-1 Automotive History Ford Thunderbird
1954 and Thunderbirds are go! For this was the year that Ford introduced its forever-memorable classic muscle car, the Ford Thunderbird. Whilst Ford did not promote the Thunderbird as a sports car, preferring to use the term "personal luxury car" instead, its power, design and looks placed it firmly within the muscle car marketplace, where it competed with the best and excelled.
Despite the fact that during its eleven generation history the bird has undergone some radical styling and mechanical changes, by far the best in my opinion is the original "classic" bird. With its hooded headlights and grill design giving the impression of a tempting smile; its sharp slim tail fins cutting a fine eye-line and the detachable hood, this car made a unique statement "I am the one and only." Furthermore its successful initial launch staggered Ford when they received an average 350 orders a day for the first ten days, selling over sixteen thousand in the first year. Its popularity has continued to this day.
However, let us return to memories of those classic "Bird" days of the late 1950's, 1956 to be precise. The car standing on the forecourt was the V8 version of the Thunderbird, which produced a creditable 225 hp. The hardtop roof now sported porthole windows to improve visibility. Virgin white in colour, with whitewall tyres to match, and the spare wheel now enclosed in a shell behind the boot, the car seemed to smile and say "Come on. Buy me. Take me. Enjoy me." And that is exactly what happened.
From the moment we left the forecourt and ventured onto the open road heads began to turn, with the purity of the birds colour, combined with the sweet sound of its engine causing people to stop and look twice. Now allow your memory to drift on to that first muscle car meet. Models of all shapes, sizes and colours, adorned the parking lot; many with bonnet stripes and other paintwork additions intended to add to the experience and pleasure of ownership. None of these extras were needed for the white angel "bird." From the moment it arrived it eclipsed the rest and, in a matter of seconds became the focus of everyone's attention, guys and gals alike.
The Ford Thunderbird 1956. This is just the classic car to bring back those memories from the corners of your mind. This is the dream that became a reality.
