Automotive History Ford Thunderbird
"Great big fins, and painted steel, man it looked just like the Batmobile." is a line from Marc Cohn's song "Silver Thunderbird". If you have ever owned a vintage Thunderbird you will understand the following lyric where Marc goes on to sing "If there is a God in Heaven, he's got a silver Thunderbird" .God must surely drive a Thunderbird. Whether he drives a baby bird ('55-'57 models), or a big bird ('58-early 70s model) depends on your belief.I personally believe God drives a '61-'63, which is also known as a "Bullet Bird". Why is it called a "Bullet Bird", you may ask? The cars profile basically resembles a bullet. The '61-63's are also sometimes called "Rocket Birds", due to the profile also being similar to a rocket.The various body styles of Thunderbirds have been given descriptive names by the public. (By the way, it's NOT Thunder-Bird, it's Thunderbird, Ford has NEVER put a hyphen in the name.)The '55-'57 Birds are known as "Early Birds". They were a true 2-seat sports car,and Ford's answer to the Chevrolet Corvette, and the Kaiser Darrin. The T-bird (If you really need to to put a hyphen somewhere, it's OK on T-Bird.) had the advantage of roll up windows too!The '58-'60 T-Birds grew to become a 4 passenger car. These are known as "Square Birds" due to their somewhat square profile. The "Square Birds" were a disappointment to the section of the public that wanted the T-Bird to remain a 2 seater car. The 2-seat T-Birds would not reappear until 2002. The 4 seat T-Bird also became the first car known as a "personal luxury" car. Buick was next make to follow in this new vehicle category in 1963, with the introduction of the Riviera.The '64-'66 Birds are known as "Flair Birds". They had square taillights, and "flight inspired" styling. These are becoming the hottest Birds to put in your nest, because they are basically a modern car, and you can still pick up a decent one for around 5 grand. But,not for long.The '67-'69 Birds are known as the "Glamor Birds". This was also the first year a 4 door Bird was offered. The 4 doors are beautiful cars, but have not been well received by collectors -yet.The '70-'71 Birds are known as "Bunkies Birds". "Bunkie" Knudsen, head of Ford at the time, saw the Birds as a "Pontiac Grand Prix" kind of car, and added a "ship's prow" look to the front end. The cars were big, and more of a luxury car.The '72-'76 were known as "Big Birds". Enough said.The T-Birds for '77-'79 were basically the same car as the full size Ford LTD II. It was however a smaller car than the previous model Bird.1980 saw the newer smaller T-Bird (with a 6 cylinder)share the same chassis as the Mercury Cougar XR7. It was basically a stretched out Fairmount. This style lasted until 1982.Fuel economy requirements dictated a more efficient aerodynamic body for 1983. The body was redesigned, and the "Aero Birds" were born. This body style had minor variations until its death in 1997.The new 2 seat T-Bird was introduced in 2002, aimed at the 60 year old buyer, who wanted a "nostalgia" car. The new Bird was produced until 2005. Ford only intended this car to have a 3 year production run, and that's all it had.My last request is to have "Silver Thunderbird" played at my funeral someday.After all "You can keep your Eldorado, your foreign cars absurd, Me,I wanna go down, in a Silver Thunderbird" .
