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Could Ford Bring Back the Thunderbird as a Modern Convertible?

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Ford is basically an SUV/truck maker these days. Except for the Mustang. However, they will soon expend the Mustang linupe with a new 4 door sedan version. Is one Ford convertible enough? Or could Ford add something a bitmore upscale, without braking the bank. Something like a new Thunderbird.

Honda did launch a new Prelude. Toyota is actually planning a new Celica. And Dodge sells a 2 door Charger with a choice of EV and gas powertrains. It seems we have more 2 door choises than just a few years ago.

Ford is spending a fortune on its all-new Universal EV Platform. As we know, the 1st model will the be the new $29,000 Fathom pickup. That platform is already scheduled for up to 8 models Including a new Lincoln Corsair EV. You would think it wouldn’t cost that much to come up with a cool upscale convertible design and call it a Thunderbird. Something a bit more expensive than the $40,000 Mustang Convertible. But not too much.

The original Ford Thunderbird was produced from 1955 to 1997. The last “extra” generation came out from 2002 to 2004.

It went through 10 generations all the way until 1997. Started as a 2 door, 2 seater convertible. Became a 4 seater convertible. From 1967 to 1971, it was even offered as a 4 door sedan as well as the coupe (the convertible had been discontinued).

Just like almost every other American car, it became a generic, bloated coupe through most of the 1970s. However, the 7th generation produced from 1977 to 1979 was the most popular ever, with almost a million of them sold!

It makes you wonder what a modern version could look like. Using a retro design. Which is wehat the illustrations above are showing. Something that would look a bit odd today, maybe. And why not? The current Mustang is not selling well at all, and I think this is mostly due to its design. Which looks too much like the previous generation (a fate shared with the last generation Camaro). As well as that ghastly interior that has nothing to do with a Mustang.

I’m pretty sure a nice Ford Convertible with a strong personality could find enough buyers. But what do I know…

Conversation 5 comments

  1. Ford is all over the place. No wonder its sales are down. The only thing they seem to be able to sell is the Maverick. But, it makes sense if you look at the tap dancing con man CEO that spends more time in the news than running the company.

  2. I’m a big fan of most past T-bird generations, and I honestly think these AI renderings look fantastic. Vince, lean into these and come up with more variants. The front, back and sides all look really good. They aren’t particularly retro, but they still somehow fit the T-bird look.

  3. Hey Vince, this one works, do coupe version. If they think about it, it needs to get handed up to Lincoln. It’s a case where there’s no justifiable purist hold.

  5. The shape of the car is great. Just drop the light bar across the front and rear lights. It is distracting and fights with the round lights.

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