Thunderbird Restoration Guide, 1958-1966 
|
"The Ford Thunderbird was a car manufactured in the United States by the Ford Motor
Company. It entered production for the 1955 Ford Thunderbird model year as a two-seater sporty car but, unlike the similar
Chevrolet Corvette, the Thunderbird was never sold as a full-blown sports car. Ford described it as a personal luxury car, a
description which named a new market segment. In 1958, the Thunderbird gained a second row of seats. Succeeding generations
became larger until the line was downsized in 1977 and again in 1980. Sales were good until the 1990s, when large 2-door
coupes became unpopular; production ceased after 1997.
In 2002, a revived 2-seat model was launched, which was available through the end of the 2005 model year. Three men are generally credited with creating the original Thunderbird: Lewis D. Crusoe, a retired GM executive lured out of retirement by Henry Ford II; George Walker, chief stylist and a Ford vice-president; and Frank Hershey, a Ford designer. Crusoe and Walker met in France in October 1951. Walking in the Grand Palais in Paris, Crusoe pointed at a sports car and asked Walker, 'Why can't we have something like that?' Walker promptly telephoned Ford's HQ in Dearborn and told designer Frank Hershey about the idea. Hershey took the idea and began working on the vehicle. |
The concept was for a two-passenger open car, with a target weight of 2525 lb (1145 kg), an Interceptor V8 engine and a top speed of over 100 mph (160 km/h). Crusoe saw a painted clay model on May 18, 1953, which corresponded closely to the final car; he gave the car the go-ahead in September after comparing it with current European trends.Unlike the Corvette, the Thunderbird was never a full-blown sporting vehicle; Ford's description was personal luxury car, and the company essentially created this market segment."
This information found: Wikipedia Encylopedia
Web Counter by TrafficFile.com
Susan Dietel
Ford Thunderbirds for Sale. Ford Thunderbird Parts, Service Shop Repair Manuals. Ford Thunderbirds for all years 1955 - 2005.
Engines, Transmissions and more.
Web Programmer
Email:
susansdesign@yahoo.com
ford thunderbird
ford
thunderbird
part
1965
2005
1957
1966
1997
1994
1963
1961
1956
1996
1964
1988
1962
1986
2002
1967
1969
1993
sc
1955
picture
1960
1979
2003
1968
1993
2007
super coupe
2006
2004
1971
car
1957
for sale
1990
supercoupe
used
1994
1989
1970
1956
1985
1966
new
94
1995
1991
1983
1972
convertible
club
1992
history
supercharged
1987
95
transmission
91
1997
2005
96
accessory
1998
57
93
1975
2002
2000
005
1988
66
88
logo
lx
ford thunderbird
service
shop
repair
manual
