Ford Thunderbird

T-Bird Returns as Retro Roadster

DETROIT - Since the demise of the Thunderbird over one year ago, Ford Motor Company has hinted that the American icon would return to the lineup. On Sunday, Ford brought the Thunderbird back to life during a press conference at the 1999 North American International Auto Show in snowbound Detroit.

The new T-Bird is a two-seat convertible, with V8 power and rear-wheel drive. It shares its platform with the Lincoln LS, a new midsized sport sedan. Styling is a modern interpretation of classic Thunderbird cues from the 1950s and 1960s.

Jacques Nasser, President and CEO of Ford, said, "The new concept car is an indication of where we're headed with the Thunderbird when it goes back into production." With the recent trend of bringing concepts to production with minimal modification, what you see here is likely close to what you'll discover in Ford showrooms in 2001.

That includes a removable hardtop with porthole windows, round lights front and rear, an egg-crate grille and a trademark Thunderbird badge with turquoise accents. The windshield is a wraparound design with a 64-degree angle, accented with a chrome surround. An integrated hood scoop strongly ties the new Thunderbird to the original 1955 model, while the character line running the length of the car recalls T-Birds from the early 1960s. Aluminum chevrons on the front fenders are probably unique to the concept car, and those big 18-inch wheels will certainly be smaller.

A modern interior features white-faced gauges with turquoise needles and a two-tone leather treatment. When the hardtop is removed, a black leather tonneau cover keeps the 'Bird looking good. Seatbacks have a Thunderbird logo, and seat stitching is done in a washboard-like pattern.

Thankfully devoid of New Edge design, the new Thunderbird concept indicates that the production car will be something special, and above all, desirable, when it arrives early in the 21st century.