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- Detail Interior View of Gearshift, Seat and Interior Door Area in 1957 Ford Thunderbird - Sports cars represent the essence of the automobile--a motor, two seats, a simple body, and a powerful emotional appeal. Like early cars, they are more fun than functional. This photograph shows the interior of Ford's small but sporty Thunderbird. Though they were not practical transporters, Thunderbirds promised style, status, comfort, and - above all - a joy ride.
- June 01, 1954
- Collections - Artifact
Detail Interior View of Gearshift, Seat and Interior Door Area in 1957 Ford Thunderbird
Sports cars represent the essence of the automobile--a motor, two seats, a simple body, and a powerful emotional appeal. Like early cars, they are more fun than functional. This photograph shows the interior of Ford's small but sporty Thunderbird. Though they were not practical transporters, Thunderbirds promised style, status, comfort, and - above all - a joy ride.
- 1956 Ford Thunderbird Convertible - To customers, Thunderbird was a "personal car" that combined a sporty feel with the comfortable appointments of a prestige model. To Ford, Thunderbird was a "halo car" that attracted customers to showrooms. It sold well with buyers who enjoyed the pure fun of driving. Some of that fun was traded for practicality when Thunderbird grew to four seats for 1958.
- 1956
- Collections - Artifact
1956 Ford Thunderbird Convertible
To customers, Thunderbird was a "personal car" that combined a sporty feel with the comfortable appointments of a prestige model. To Ford, Thunderbird was a "halo car" that attracted customers to showrooms. It sold well with buyers who enjoyed the pure fun of driving. Some of that fun was traded for practicality when Thunderbird grew to four seats for 1958.
- 2002 Ford Thunderbird Hardtop - After discontinuing the Thunderbird in 1997, Ford Motor Company revived the storied model for 2002. The new Thunderbird's retro design went back to the two-seat layout and porthole windows of the mid-1950s, but with up-to-date comforts and conveniences. The rebirth was short-lived. Initial strong sales trailed off, and the Thunderbird disappeared again in 2005.
- 2002
- Collections - Artifact
2002 Ford Thunderbird Hardtop
After discontinuing the Thunderbird in 1997, Ford Motor Company revived the storied model for 2002. The new Thunderbird's retro design went back to the two-seat layout and porthole windows of the mid-1950s, but with up-to-date comforts and conveniences. The rebirth was short-lived. Initial strong sales trailed off, and the Thunderbird disappeared again in 2005.
- 1987 Ford Thunderbird Stock Car, Raced by Bill Elliott - Bill Elliott set NASCAR's all-time speed record with this car when he qualified for the 1987 Winston 500 at Talladega at 212.809 miles per hour. By the 1980s, "stock cars" only looked stock. Underneath this Thunderbird sheet metal is a purpose-built steel tube frame, racing suspension and brakes, and a racing engine that no Ford dealer ever sold.
- 1987
- Collections - Artifact
1987 Ford Thunderbird Stock Car, Raced by Bill Elliott
Bill Elliott set NASCAR's all-time speed record with this car when he qualified for the 1987 Winston 500 at Talladega at 212.809 miles per hour. By the 1980s, "stock cars" only looked stock. Underneath this Thunderbird sheet metal is a purpose-built steel tube frame, racing suspension and brakes, and a racing engine that no Ford dealer ever sold.