Ford Thunderbird (eleventh generation)

For a complete overview of all Thunderbird generations, see Ford Thunderbird.

Ford Thunderbird
Blue sports car with circular headlights and seven-spoke silver wheels.
Overview
ManufacturerFord Motor Company
Model codeM205[1]
ProductionJune 2001 – July 2005
Model years2002–2005
AssemblyUnited States: Wixom, Michigan (Wixom Assembly)
DesignerJack Telnack (1997)
Body and chassis
ClassPersonal luxury car
Body style
LayoutFront-engine, rear-wheel drive
PlatformFord DEW98
Powertrain
Engine3.9 L Jaguar AJ35 V8
Transmission5-speed Ford Bordeaux 5R44E automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase107.1 in (2,720 mm)[2]
Length186.3 in (4,732 mm)[2]
Width72 in (1,829 mm)[3]
Height52.1 in (1,323 mm)[4]
Curb weight3,775 lb (1,712 kg)[5]
Chronology
PredecessorFord Thunderbird (tenth generation)

The eleventh generation Ford Thunderbird is a front-V8, rear-drive, two passenger convertible with an optional removable-hardtop, manufactured and marketed for model years 2001-2005 by Ford Motor Company, having debuted at the 1999 North American International Auto Show. Noted for styling strongly recalling the first generation Thunderbird, developed under the design direction of Jack Telnack, the eleventh generation was manufactured in Wixom, Michigan, with production reaching just over 68,090 before its discontinuation in July 2005.

Series production of the Thunderbird commenced in June 2001 using the front-engine, rear-wheel-drive configuration of Ford's "DEW" platform and a unique variant of Jaguar's 3.9 L AJ35 V8 engine producing 188 kilowatts (252 hp), rated at a torque output of 362 newton-meters (267 lbf⋅ft) — updated for model year 2003 to 209 kilowatts (280 hp) and 388 newton-meters (286 lbf⋅ft). The eleventh generation received the Motor Trend Car of the Year award in 2002.

Background and development

A light green coupe from the late 1950s
The original Thunderbird

The original Ford Thunderbird debuted in October 1954.[6][7][8] Originally designed to compete with British, Italian, and German sports cars and the Chevrolet Corvette, it was the first time the Ford division sold two distinct model lines simultaneously. The Thunderbird incorporated various advanced technologies for its era, including power seats and a padded dashboard.[9] Ten consecutive generations of the car were produced the tenth generation was discontinued in 1997.[10] The introduction of the Volkswagen New Beetle in 1997 sparked a renaissance of retro-styling in American automakers.[11]

Jack Telnack, the lead design director of the Ford Thunderbird project, initiated a competition among design studios in Italy, England, Germany, California, and Dearborn; the latter studio ultimately prevailed. Upon Telnack's retirement, his successor, J Mays, then handled the minor design elements, including trims, fabrics, interior, and colors. The Thunderbird had the longest development process of any car Telnack worked on.[12] Ford unveiled the car as a concept vehicle at the 1999 edition of the North American International Auto Show,[13][14][15] and revealed the car's final design at the same motor show two years later.[16] Official manufacture of the Thunderbird began in June 2001,[17][18] at the assembly plant in Wixom, Michigan.[19][20] It indirectly replaces the tenth generation of the Thunderbird, which the company discontinued in 1997.[21]

Design

Rear 3/4 view of a white hardtop convertible
Rear view

The Thunderbird employs Ford's DEW platform,[22][23] shared with the Jaguar S-Type[24][25] and the Lincoln LS.[26][27] It is a personal luxury car[28][29] with two doors and two seats,[30][31] and a convertible top. A removable hardtop was optional. [32] The vehicle's designers aimed for a simple design, returning to classic elements like fluted doors, wing-shaped door panels, a two-tone dashboard, original seat styles, and metal appliques complemented by turquoise accents. Compared to the LS and the S-Type, the Thunderbird features a shorter wheelbase and overall length. The car has seventeen-inch cast aluminum wheels and tires sized P235/50VR-17.[33] It has a rear-wheel drive layout and a front-engine placement,[34][35] and a computer-engineered, fully independent suspension system incorporating lightweight materials to reduce weight and improve response.[36][37]

The Thunderbird features Jaguar's 3.9-liter AJ30 V8 engine,[38] which generates a power output of 188 kilowatts (252 hp) and 362 newton-meters (267 lb⋅ft),[39][40] providing the car with a 0 to 97 km/h (60 mph) acceleration of 7.25 seconds.[41][42] Power is transmitted through a five-speed automatic transmission.[43][44] In 2003, the Thunderbird received minor updates, including an increase in engine output to 210 kilowatts (280 hp) and 388 newton-meters (286 lb⋅ft). The dashboard was revised, featuring more traditional analog gauges for better visibility during daylight driving. Additionally, a "Select Shift" version of the five-speed transmission was introduced as an option.[34]

Trim Levels

Throughout its production run, the eleventh-generation Ford Thunderbird was available in two basic trim levels: Deluxe and Premium. All Thunderbirds included standard equipment such as perforated leather-trimmed seating surfaces, dual power-adjustable bucket seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, cruise control, dual-zone automatic climate control system with air conditioning, keyless entry, security alarm system, 17-inch tires and aluminum-alloy wheels, power-retractable cloth convertible roof (top), an AM/FM stereo radio with an in-dash 6-disc CD changer and a premium Audiophile sound system with dual amplifiers for the rear speakers, a driver message center, the HomeLink garage door opener system, a glass rear window with a defroster, and automatic delay on/off front headlamps. There were few differences between the two trim levels, with the Premium trim receiving chrome-clad aluminum-alloy wheels, and dual heated seats as standard equipment (the base Deluxe trim did not offer heated seats). The Premium trim also offered a 90-lb. removable hardtop roof, which could either be painted to match the exterior paint color of the vehicle, or painted in a contrasting color, and included two porthole windows, reminiscent of the windows fitted to some hardtops on 1950s-era Thunderbirds.[45]

The Thunderbird also offered several different optional appearance packages that allowed Thunderbird buyers to personalize their vehicles. A Black Appearance Package added a high-gloss black accent to the leather-wrapped steering wheel and automatic transmission gear selector, while additional appearance packages added a Parchment cloth soft top (roof), color-keyed accents on the steering wheel and gear selector lever, and seat centers. These packages, which were dependent upon the exterior color selected (the Black Appearance Package was available regardless of exterior color), were only available on the Premium trim level of the Thunderbird. Other personalization options included the color of the removable hardtop roof, as well as a choice of several different 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels.

Special editions

2002 Neiman Marcus Edition: In 2000, Ford introduced the Neiman Marcus edition in the company's Christmas catalog. With a production of 200 and MSRP of US$41,995, the edition featured two-tone black exterior paint color with silver hard top roof; logo etched into the circular hardtop glazing; scooped hood; twenty-one spoke chrome aluminum-alloy wheels; silver-accented steering wheel and transmission gear selector lever; aluminum dash inserts; perforated black leather-trimmed interior with silver wing-embroidered seat inserts; 'Neiman Marcus' embroidered floor mats and an available 1/18-scale die cast model.[46]

Thunderbird James Bond 007 Edition

2003 James Bond 007 Edition: Ford introduced the James Bond Edition as a co-branding promotion for the James Bond Die Another Day movie. With a production of 700, the edition featured coral paint with a white hardtop; twenty-one spoke chrome aluminum-alloy wheels, white perforated leather-trimmed interior, engine-turned interior trim panels with "007" emblem, engine horsepower increased from 250 to 280, five-speed automatic transmission with manual gear selection; MSRP of US$43,995, and an available die cast scale model.[47] Starting with Goldfinger in 1964 through Diamonds Are Forever, Ford had a product placement arrangement with the film's producer to exclusively use Ford products in the movies, a tradition that was restored with this movie.

2004 Pacific Coast Roadster Edition: The Pacific Coast Roadster edition, with 1,000 examples produced, featured monterey mist green paint with an ash metallic hard top roof and light ash soft top roof, paired with light ash and dark ash interior and suede trimmed seating, aluminum-alloy wheels, color-keyed interior accents, patterned dash trim, and a numbered dashboard plaque.[48]

2005 50th Anniversary Cashmere Special Edition: In 2005, Ford celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Ford Thunderbird. All 2005 Thunderbirds received a "50th Anniversary" badge. The Cashmere edition, with a production run of 1,500, featured a commemorative dashboard plaque, cashmere exterior paint and medium gray soft top convertible roof; hard top; 50th Anniversary front fender emblems; teal-accented third rear brake lamp with illuminated "Thunderbird" script; two-tone gray and dark gray interior with Cashmere perforated leather-trimmed seating; color-keyed instrument cluster with turquoise gauge needles and "Ford Thunderbird" door sill plates round.[49]

Safety

NHTSA crash test ratings (2002):[50]

  • Frontal Crash Test – Driver:
  • Frontal Crash Test – Passenger:
  • Side Impact Rating – Driver:
  • Rollover Rating:

Reception and legacy

Forbes magazine writer Jerry Flint attributed the Thunderbird's demise to a lack of proper sales and marketing, writing: "Ford dealers have been successful selling $35,000-45,000 trucks, but have little experience selling automobiles in the near-luxury price range. If there was a marketing effort by Ford Motor, I wasn't aware of it. Naturally, sales didn't meet expectations."

Noted automotive journalist Doug DeMuro criticized the price of the Thunderbird and the similarity its interior to the Lincoln LS. With respect to the interior, he noted the interior's hard plastic switchgear shared with other models — while admiring the retro styling of the door panels. He also criticized the engine, saying it wasn't sporty. In his opinion, Ford made the 11th generation for people who were nostalgic for the first generations, not for a discerning buyer of a modern sports or luxury car, resulting in its poor sales.[51]

Year Production
2002 31,368
2003 14,678
2004 12,757
2005 9,295
Total 68,098

Film and television

Ford Thunderbird featured in Die Another Day

The 2003 Thunderbird was featured in the James Bond movie Die Another Day, driven by Halle Berry's character. In addition, a similar Thunderbird was featured in The Cat in the Hat.

The 2004 live-action film Thunderbirds featured a heavily modified 11th generation Ford Thunderbird, a fully functional full-sized six-wheeled prototype called FAB 1.[52]

Adriana La Cerva, girlfriend and later fiancé to Christoper Moltisanti in the HBO series The Sopranos, drove a 2002 Ford Thunderbird in seasons 4 and 5. [53]

References

Notes

References

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Bibliography

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