The Ford Thunderbird--Classic Car Turns 55

Zuchettos 57 -example of "Baby Bird" (1955-57)

When car cruising begins each summer, the heads still turn to see the classic Ford Thunderbirds. Over their history from 1955 to the present day, they underwent many changes of size and styling, but always have kept a unique, iconic look.

The Thunderbird was introduced in 1955 with the intention of competing against the Chevrolet Corvette. The Bird was a classy looking two seater with clean styling, creature comforts and V8 refinements—more of a personal luxury car than a racy sports car. And that theme, of being a personal luxury car, permeated most of its 50 years of production.

The Thunderbird surpassed easily the sales of the Corvette in those first years of production. However, Ford saw early on that a two-seater would not continue its popularity in the long run—this was a small niche. People wanted the convenience of more passenger and cargo room. Thus the 1958 to 1960 model of the Thunderbird was transformed into a four-seat car. This first transformation of the Thunderbird had boxy lines, a wide pillar roof for the hard top, but the fine interior definitely said it was a personal luxury car indeed. This revamping of the Thunderbird was an instant success. It was named Motor Trend Magazine’s Car of the Year.

Square Bird (1958-60)

After three years of the Square Bird (as they came to be called), the Thunderbird underwent another major restyling. A sleeker body featured a pointed front nose, modest fins above the traditional round taillights. The quad headlamps were recessed in oblong housings and the roof saw a much softer line for the hardtop versions. Luxury was written all over the interior as the dash curved at its outboard ends to blend in with the door panels and the first ever “Swing Away” steering column was introduced to the auto industry. This 1961 to 1963 version became known as the Bullet Bird because of the smooth lines flowing from that pointed nose.


The Bullet Bird (1961-63)

The timing of restyling this Thunderbird had definitely reached a pattern of every three years—1964 to 1966 was the next transformation that was keeping up with what was going on in history. This model was called the “Jet Bird” (sometimes also referred to as the Flair Bird), because of the changes in the lines of hood and trunk and especially because of its radical restyling of the dash to look just like the cockpit of a jet. Both the wheelbase and the overall length of the car were increased. The Swing Away steering wheel was kept and new in 1965 were power front disc brakes. This was the model run that showcased the “sequential turn signals” that everyone fell in love with. The Thunderbirds from 1958 through this run had amazing systems of hydraulically making the convertible top disappear into the trunk--a very frustrating system for the current owners.


The Jet or Flair Bird (1964-66)

In 1967 Ford took the ‘jet theme’ even further in redesigning the Thunderbird, making the front grill and the headlight layout appear like a jet engine intake. For the first time, the Thunderbird had a four-door option and the headlights were concealed until the headlight switch was turned on. The 1967 version had a four-door model with rear “suicide” doors—a real favorite with collectors. No longer were the convertibles offered as an option, although 1969 had a sunroof option.

The 1970 and 1971 models seemed to grow in length as the restyling added a V’d front grill utilizing new sheet metal. The concealed headlights were still part of this Bird as well as the option for two or four-door versions. The 1967 to 1971 Thunderbirds are referred to as the Big Birds.


The Big Bird (1970s)

1972 was the year of a new generation of luxury automobiles. The 1972 Thunderbird, later called the Bigger Bird, was available only as a two-door hardtop focusing on styling and comfort and providing a much more luxurious feel to the interior. An opera window became available in 1973. Thunderbirds began sharing the powerful 460 cubic-inch Lincoln V8 engine--the preferred power plant of choice for that run. By 1976, The Thunderbird grew to be the biggest, most luxurious model ever to be built. This was not to last.

The times were changing and car companies had to focus on lightening the load and making cars run more economically. Downsizing to a mid-size platform in 1977 lightened the Thunderbird almost 1000 pounds. In spite of the fact that it was also almost a full foot shorter, it amazingly retained most of the interior of the 1976 model. Cosmetic changes in this run included a T-top option in 1978 and a redesigning of grill and tail lights in 1979. With its loss of weight, this three-year series was labeled Birds of a Feather.

Finally in 1980, the Thunderbird was converted into a uni-body framed car losing another 800 pounds. The Silver/Box Birds dropped another17 inches in length. Using the V6 engine gas mileage was boosted to a record 30 mpg on the highway.

With demands for better gas mileage and sleeker look, a monumental change occurred in 1983. The Thunderbird, now dubbed the Aero Bird, had arrived in the age of the turbo coupe. The car was available only with a 2.3 liter, turbocharged four-cylinder engine mated to a five-speed manual transmission. The racing scene saw this as a winner and immediately it was part of the racing circuits. The Turbo Coupes and Super Coupes versions of the Thunderbird developed their own cult/club following apart from other Thunderbird clubs. The Thunderbird Sport, Thunderbird Super Coupe and Thunderbird LX took on some other high tech improvements.


The Super Coupes (1983+)
By 1994 Ford made some additional aerodynamic changes to the front end by giving the Bird a new hood, headlights, and bumper design. These models also saw major interior changes and a boost in the horsepower of the Super coupe.

As the 1997 model was coming down the line, murmurings were heard that Ford was planning to continue the Thunderbird line with a complete new version for the new millennium. Due to insufficient, timely development of that vision, 1997 was the last of the Thunderbirds made at that time on the Lincoln/Thunderbird line in the Wixom Assembly Plant. How soon would it be before a ‘new’ version emerges.



The Retros (2002-2005)
The All New Thunderbird arrived in 2002. This Thunderbird, dubbed the Retro Bird, modernized the classic design features from the ‘55-‘57 and ‘61-‘62 Thunderbirds. These elements were to include port-hole windows, a hood scoop, rounded headlamps, tail lamps and fog lamps, and the Thunderbird’s trademarked logo. The unveiling had everyone excited, so much so, Motor Trend Magazine named the all new Thunderbird the Motor Trend Car of the year for 2002. The first couple of years of production these Birds sold well, but the niche for these was apparently a small one. Thunderbird lovers were glad to see Ford had the foresight to continue the Retro on to 2005 so that automotive history could end up with bookend Thunderbirds—1955 and 2005 for the 50th year celebration of this iconic automobile—The Thunderbird!