In the end, the 11th generation T-Bird is worth a story to itself, but as a final effort, Ford released the next car the throwback, retro-looking Thunderbird 11th-gen with a modern drivetrain featuring the must-have 5-speed automatic gear box, a 3.9-liter Jaguar V8 that made between 250-280 hp and up to nearly 290 lb-ft of torque. It was also much more sophisticated in its suspension setup, which was a sign of the times – this car would last until 1997. The wheezy 140 hp naturally-aspirated 3.8-liter V6 was eventually supercharged to make more than 200 hp and 300 lb-ft of torque, the transmission was a standard 4-speed automatic, so things had moved on in that department too. This philosophy would live on in later models, but the first model however lasted until the introduction of the second-generation model in 1958.Ī manual was even available, and this attractive car would last until 1988, as the 10th-generation model was launched in 1989, with its '90s styling and improved aerodynamics. With 4.8-liter and 5.1-liter V8s on offer, the car made 200 hp and was more luxurious than sporty. Nonetheless, it wasn't supposed to be a Ferrari 250 GT, its main focus was simply luxury. It was sold between $2,600 and $4,000, and went on to feature lots of luxury options. The design objectives included a weight of 2,525 pounds, an Interceptor V-8 engine, a balanced weight distribution, acceleration better than the competition, and a top speed of more than 100 miles per hour.”Īfter trying and failing to come up with a good name, from a list that include Beaver, Detroiter, Runabout, and Savile, a designer took part in the chance to win a $250 suit by suggesting his own name, the Thunderbird – it was accepted.įord’s first-generation Thunderbird was a success.

The brief was as follows: initial guidelines called for a “two-passenger, canvas-topped open car that would make maximum use of standard production components. Crusoe – conceived the idea of Ford making a sportier car. According to Ford, two men – George Walker and Louis D.

70 thunderbird convertible