The Ford Thunderbird was one of the most anticipated arrivals for 2002. But
this most cherished symbol of Ford Motor Co.¹s rich past has been a
disappointment in the market and will be phased out in a couple of years.

The current Thunderbird was designed to resurrect a cultural icon, and
that¹s a tough act. The original two-seat convertible still remains a
vibrant symbol of the 1950s. The replacement Thunderbird attempts to revive
the relaxed, sporty image and capture the smooth lines and styling of the
original. The current T-Bird, like the classic two-seater, is a highway
cruiser, not a sports car. But to say that I am not surprised by the less
than stellar market acceptance of the replacement Thunderbird would be an
understatement, and despite giving the newest model a bit more power, it
still falls short in many areas.

But saying that, the car does have some nice qualities. The car is at its
best cruising with the top down on a sunny day. The Thunderbird¹s
aerodynamic qualities are excellent and you can enjoy the fresh air without
being whipped by the wind at highway speed.

The car is also pretty comfortable with a relatively soft ride, which most
buyers will find acceptable.  The interior is also quite roomy for two
people and the seats provide a good platform for a relatively long journey.
This is one two-seater that doesn¹t require the body of a contortionist to
maintain comfort.

Add to this list an engine upgrade that finally delivers enough power to
provide ample acceleration.  The V-8 also seems smoother and quieter,
perhaps because it doesn¹t have to work so hard.

But my disappointments are still significant, despite some upgrades since I
first drove the current Bird a couple of years ago. I think that Ford badly
missed the mark with the new Thunderbird. To my eye, it looks like the
design was rushed through the process without attention to the kind of
detail necessary to recreate a classic. The vehicle surfaces look flat and
demand a more sculptured presence. I also find most of the external details
like the grill and taillights to be perfunctory and simplistic.  While the
front end is passable, the rear end is a disaster, much too bland to capture
any attention. 

The interior is even more disappointing. The center console, for example,
looks cheap, plastic and generic. The major design element in the interior
seems to be wide aluminum metal strips that grace the doors and dashboard,
but do not convey the elegance of the original. The interior cries out for a
design that would incorporate some retro touches and a sense of luxury.
While some people may denigrate the importance of aesthetics, when you¹re
recreating a classic, there is nothing more important.

Another design element is the construction of the body as it relates to the
convertible top. The top folds into its own compartment, but must be covered
with a fabric cover that is stored in the trunk. Most convertibles now have
hard covers that automatically close creating a clean, unbroken line and
securing the convertible top out of sight.

The Bird¹s chassis is shared with the midsize Lincoln LS sedan. Removing the
metal top from a car creates two things a convertible and a chassis that¹s
subject to bending and twisting forces that cause unwanted body flex.
Relying on computer-aided design, engineering, and manufacturing, Ford
engineers identified critical areas and added structural components
including a metal beam behind the front seats as well as underlying X-braces
at the car¹s front, midsection and rear. Despite these efforts, the new
T-Bird has noticeable body flex, probably more than any contemporary
convertible I can think of. As you ride around on bumpy roads, you cannot
help but feel the almost constant jiggle.  And if you round a curve and hit
a bump, you can feel the car take a significant jump to the side, succumbing
to centrifugal force.

Finally, there¹s the matter of trunk space, which is very limited. The
Thunderbird is not a pint-sized two-seater and demands a larger trunk to
handle even the bare necessities. With the fabric cover for the convertible
top stored in the trunk, it offers little room, even for a few bags of
groceries. 

 
Vehicle: Ford Thunderbird

Price as tested: $41,290

Engine:

         Type: 3.9-liter V-8

         Horsepower: 280 @ 6,000 rpm

         Torque: 286-ft. lbs. @ 4,000 rpm

Fuel economy, automatic transmission

         City ­ 18 mpg

         Highway - 24 mpg

Curb Weight: 3,780