The Native American Thunderbird is a mythological supernatural winged creature of extraordinary power and strength, capable of shape-shifting. The Ford Thunderbird had none of those qualities, except for the shape-shifting abilities. In fact, it might be considered one of the all-time great automotive shape-shifters ever. It may have ended looking somewhat like it started, but in the almost fifty years in between, it took on seeminglt-endless shapes, sizes, styling, price classes, personalities, and identities.
Is that a reflection of the rather volatile American self-identity and popular culture experience of that era? Americans love the latest fad and are endlessly re-inventing themselves, and the Thunderbird’s restlessness reflects that all too well. In contrast, the evolution of the 1955 Mercedes 190SL to today’s SL is almost perfectly linear: same basic idea, same position in the market. Is it a coincidence that the SL is still in production, and quite possibly will still be in fifty years?
This week we will examine the many faces of Thunderbird. As is typical for CC, it won’t be perfectly linearly, or even with much actual coordination; the Thunderbird will fly wild and free. CC itself is an endless shape-shifter, reflecting the diverse backgrounds, ages, and points-of-view of our many Contributors. Pinning down the Thunderbird completely in one take (or even one week) is essentially impossible, so we’re going to treat your with many stabs at it. But we are starting at the beginning, and will end at the end. In between, anything is possible; just like with the Thunderbird.
Postscript: It won’t be all Thunderbirds all week; must have a little variety too.
The only things that link them, V8, RWD, 2 seat, convertible, hard and soft top.
Now the last one shares much with a Lincoln as did the ones between the first and last. I suppose I should give the big bloated 60s birds credit for helping Iacocca and friends think that there might be a market for a smaller personal car (aka Mustang).
Looking forward to this, you could have more takes on the Thunderbird than it has had on itself.
Different strategies and very different outcomes!
The design and execution of the Porsche 911 platform remained consistent for decades, in many forms but true to its character.
The Corvette also stayed mostly on course.
IF Ford had stayed with the designs of the initial Thunderbird offering, would the Mustang have been as successful if it were a Thunderbird Mustang? Possibly the failure (of sorts) of the Thunderbird allowed for the success of the Mustang.
I can’t imagine an American car staying as unchanged as the 911 over the years! A truck on the other han…
This should be an interesting week.
I just picked up a relatively unmolested 1989 Super Coupe “project” and have tons of pics.
Gotcha!!
Seriously, you’ve got until Thursday (80’s day) to write something up and send me some pictures. We do not have an MN-12 for this week, and you just solved the problem.
And it doesn’t have to be grandiose or epic.Just write something like you do in your many excellent comments. Ready, set, Go!
I’d love to try but it’d be mostly a rehash of what’s already out there. I’ll send something by Wednesday night.
As far as my comments being “excellent”? I think your spellcheck needs adjustment.
Ok; I thought for a second you were Sean Cornelis. 🙂 But I still think you could do say something. If not, that’s ok, but then please send me about 6-10 pictures, and we’ll do something with them. Attach them to an e-mail: curbsideclassic@gmail.com
Very cool–I’ve always been a big fan of the MN12 ‘bird and the SC in particular. Looking forward to it!
I’m wondering what other models, if any, started as a sporty coupe, morphed into a sedan, and then ended up as a sporty coupe again. The only one that comes to mind right now is the Mercury Cougar, which was of course platform twin of the T-bird from ’77 to ’98.