While Ford’s Thunderbird, notably the Baby Bird (’55-’57) and those from the mid-sixties, grace Barn Finds web pages with regularity, the the eleventh generation (’02-’05) is seldom seen. As a matter of fact, I could only find one example that we have covered in the last four years so it seems appropriate to review this Katy, Texas-based 2002 edition. It’s available here on Facebook Marketplace for $14,000. Thanks are due T.J. for this tip!
The concept around the eleventh-gen T-Bird was simple enough – try to recapture past glory by creating a modern version of the iconic two-seater Baby Bird. How’d it work out? Not so well. After a first-year sales volume of 31K units, sales plummeted to less than half that number for 2003, dropped again in 2004, and finished up 2005 with about 9K copies – the motoring public wasn’t feeling it, a porthole in the removable top’s C-pillar notwithstanding. This car’s lines are debatable, I’d suggest that the balance of the overall design is well done and lines up properly with its 186″ overall length. The weight, at almost 3,800 lbs., is a bit on the chubs side but that’s the way things have trended for some time now. The seller suggests that this T-Bird needs nothing and the very few listing images provided (that should have been taken with more care) seem to bear out that claim. There are no included pictures of the black folding convertible top so its condition is unknown – may be worth an inquiry for those who have an interest in this car.
Power comes about at a rate of 252 net HP developed by its 3.9 liter overhead cam V8 powerplant. No word is mentioned regarding running or driving characteristics so one would assume, with a stated mileage recording of only 29K miles, that there are no operating issues. I’ve not driven a T-Bird of this generation but I have motored about in a 2001 Lincoln LS, a car that utilized the same engine and platform, and was none too impressed with its power characteristics. Still, one would have to sample this exact car to develop an informed impression. A single five-speed automatic transmission was the only game in town for the Thunderbird in 2002.
Get a load of that interior! The black and red contrasting leather upholstery is hard to ignore. It all appears to be in sound nick with just the usual leather creasing being obvious. The brushed aluminum trim panels that adorn the dash and door panels are a nice touch and help to even out the visual assault of the two-tone upholstery – and I do like the two-tone look. Again, I haven’t sampled a T-Bird of this generation, but the cabin appears to be commodious for a two-seater.
So, what happened to this edition of the Thunderbird’s prospects? I honestly don’t know, though, I recall some hubbub of how potential buyers didn’t feel that this T-Bird was really a legitimate two-seater – at least not from a sporting perspective. No, this was more of a cruise to the country club kind of an affair than a road-worthy (think Mazda Miata or Honda S2000) or powerhouse (Porsche or Corvette) two-seater. And two-seaters, in general, just didn’t garner the kind of popularity at this point in time that they had 40-plus years earlier. Still, it was a venturesome move for Ford to develop, design, and manufacture this version of their storied Thunderbird. Unfortunately, it didn’t pan out. What’s your view of these eleventh-gen Thunderbirds, thumbs up or thumbs down?
Astute write up J.O. I remember being excited when these were launched.
Gorgeous looking car. The 5sp autobox and V8 didn’t win any blue ribbons for performance, however perspective buyers who just want a cheerful site seeing ride, with some mellow V8 rumble should be satisfied.
These aren’t hideous. I’m actually surprised they have 252 HP. $12,000 doesn’t seem excessive to me, but I’m no expert of course. With low production numbers, they might be highly collectable one day.
I think most of the original buyers of these cars were those at or near retirement and who had fond memories of the original ’55-57 two seaters and at the point of their lives had the means to gain a semblance of that dream. I have never seen a younger person driving one of these.
I wouldn’t be surprised if these cars don’t reach collector status after 25 years.
There were lots of retro look cars around back in the 2000s but I think this Thunderbird was at the top of the list.
I really liked these Thunderbirds and was surprised that they basically flopped. In a of gray plastic, they even have a flashy interior.
I guess I’m part of the reason. I never bought one. I’m not opposed to owning one but currently have a SC430 and they seem pretty similar.
In my humble opinion Ford and its dealer network killed this car, how? I remember checking the T-Bird out when new and every dealer had an additional $8000 – $15000 mark up. Dealers never learn because even after covid they were doing it on every car. It’s greed! These T-Birds where great looking cars and Ford could have and should have moved more of them.
A friend of mine put his order in so he could have the first one in the area, and waited….triple black with the hard top. He paid over $40K. Two years and 20 thousand miles later he was lucky enough to sell it for $22,000. I drove it several times and liked it for what it was. I would still own one even though I know the style is polarizing. The red is a bit much for me but the teal metallic would do just fine thanks.
I think, jaguar 3.9 engine will be a problem. I don’t understand,why ford don’t use 4.6 engine for this model.
I think the 3.9 is the Jaguar engine when Ford owned Jaguar whereas the 4.6 is a real Ford engine. Possibly Ford wanted to make better use of its acquisitions. I think the chassis might be Jaguar with independent rear suspension.
Wife wants one of these so bad. We have the cash, just no garage space and where we live, outside ain’t happenin. Hold out for the 2003, they bumped the horsepower up to 280hp.
Every single owner I’ve ever asked if they like their car, they absolutely LOVE it. Agreed, I think some clean examples will bring a little bit of cabbage in the future.
Always liked the looks of this T-Bird over the earlier models test drove on a few years back and lost interest it rode like a Lincoln floating around corners and was weak in the power department. Quickly change my mind and bought a real sports car.
Same platform as the Lincoln, that’s why it floated like one.
I thought about buying one of these in 2004. There was a Pacific edition or something. I liked the colors on it. However, the headlight and taillight design are poorly executed. They are just not right. The rest of the car looked good but the front and back ends did not. And for 40 grand, there were better looking machines out there. Ford, you could have done a lot better. And now you have gone from a car for every purpose and size to a bunch of trucks and SUV’s. And how’s the Lincoln SUV Company doing these days? No premium cars there either. What about your multi billion dollars electrification plans? Your management doesn’t have a clue. They can’t see next week let alone five years down the line. I hope that you go broke!
Hard to beat red with the Premium red/blk interior.
I’ve had my 2002 since 3/2013 and it has been less troublesome than the 1993 Northstar Allante’ it replaced.
I don’t understand the “bad rap” these cars get for performance. It has a near 50/50 wt. ratio and that 252 hp is > adequate.
These cars get noticed wherever you go.
If you’re a tall driver then you won’t fit period. I had cash in pocket looking at the same year and color car several years in Scottsdale, so wanted it but at 6’4” I simply could not sit it it with the hardtop on.
I have one, Thunderbird blue, 2002 is the only year that they were painted that color. Mine has 27K, there a a couple of drawbacks, engine is hard to work on dues to shoehorning it into the engine bay and they hard top is very very heavy.
It’s a sham that Ford didn’t do a better styling job on the front of the car because the rest of the car looks really nice. The front looks like the face of a catfish.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/3672933196270080/
Check out how the TBird could have been done from a styling standpoint. It amazes me that auto makers don’t do a consumer study for the target market buyers that they will be marketing to.
I owned one of these, for about a year. After owning a 06 Mustang GT, this was uninspiring. I planned to do some modifications to the TBird but early retirement just required too much time elsewhere, so out it went.
Notice in the link the proper fins, headlights and stance. The last generation TBird looks to me to be a dog taking a squat for a dump.
One of these with a late model Mustang GT (or even an SN95) engine and trans swap would be just about perfect, IMO. The Lincoln LS platform was available with a clutch, so pedals, hydraulics, etc. should be fairly easy to source. I’d also wager that most of these ‘birds were VERY well cared for simply because the target market for them was an older generation who has garage space for a second or third car.
This was MotorTrend’s Car of the Year 2002. In 2000 it was the Lincoln LS.