The Ford Thunderbird is one of the most storied nameplates in blue oval history. It has long been synonymous with the most striking designs, powerful engines, and unabashed opulence. Perhaps those reasons (and more) are why the thirteenth generation TBird, effectively a modern luxury car built to cash in on the then-burgeoning retro theme craze that was overtaking the automotive industry at the time (hello, VW New Beetle), was such a bit of a flop. Its shortcomings notwithstanding, the Thunderbird still deserves better than being shoved in the backyard like this 2003 example listed here on eBay with an opening bid of $2,500 and no reserve.
The Thunderbird started with an incredible design. There is no denying that Ford’s designers came very close to perfectly executing what a modern-day Thunderbird would look like when reincarnating the nameplate. The miles-long trunk lid, porthole windows in the hardtop, classic script lettering – it was all bang-on. The V8 engine was lifted from its corporate sibling Jaguar, relying on the wonderful 3.9-liter AJ-V8 DOHC. Leather seating surfaces and two-tone touches seemed to bring it all together inside the cabin. Why, then, was the Thunderbird such a failure that it ends up in a sorry state like this, and even decent drivers struggle to sell for $10,000?
It really came down to the overall driving experience after so much hype and excitement over the model’s relaunch had subsided. Like so many other products that could have been great, Ford fumbled the execution after performing a marketing blitz that put the Thunderbird on every baby boomer’s radar as the car to have. If you didn’t want to own a Corvette and found the Miata too small, here was a convertible that offered performance, prestige, and luxury, all under an iconic brand like Thunderbird. However, it was soon apparent upon sitting inside the Ford simply raided parts bins for much of the production running gear and trim and assembled it all with a halfhearted effort. Rattles, wind noise, and cheap switchgear all undermined the prestigious positioning.
The powerplant was good for 280 horsepower and 286 lb.-ft. of torque, but it wasn’t particularly sporting. The 5-speed automatic with Tiptronic-style shifting was an appropriate transmission to pair with the engine, but road test editors complained at the time that it was neither sporting nor particularly smart. Again, another opportunity lost to deliver a memorable driving experience. While Ford nailed the design, that seemed to forget that people can’t see what the car looks like once they’re in it, which is when the quality of the driving experience and materials really needs to take center stage. This Thunderbird would still make a stunning summer driving for someone, so hopefully, it’s removed from this Maryland backyard soon.
A sad end to what was once considered the epitome in “Gentlemans Cruisers”( sorry ladies). Another half baked attempt to regain some glory with a retro edition of a classic, and failed miserably. Not sure about the motor, a 390 it isn’t, while probably a nice car to drive, just didn’t have the following. While a tad cheaper( almost $40 grand) than the Corvette( $43grand), but it never had the former zing, and faded away into the abyss for unwanted cars in 2005.
Pretty sad!! Have fun with that biohazard…
Lovely mold and who knows what else…
I disagree on the styling. It was bland. A rolling sleeping pill. Ford half-a**ed it in my opinion.
Oh, and this example? A parts car.
I disagree. I love this design. What else were they supposed to do? It was 2003. Get a kit car if you want an authentic reproduction or the original better still. I’m seriously tempted. A good power washing and if the engine at least turns over…
A buddy is pulling his hair out chasing electronic gremlins in one he’s bringing back to life that was sitting for years… He told me the car has 2 computers…
Ford wanted to end it earlier, but they had to save face and have the 2005 50th anniversary models.
I heard this directly from a Ford dealer at the time.
He also said they should have found a way to make it a 4 seater.
Jaguar’s 3.9 V8 was the only engine offered 2002-2005.
Just wow….. in today’s world of selling items online for not wanted items plus easy process to donating to charities one decides lets park this under a tree in the mud and make it a compost for rust. I don’t get it….