Date: November 18, 2002
Topic: Black Car & Travel
Author: William Reed
Article ID: article_ema111802a
FORD THUNDERBIRD: Classic Choice
In 2002, Ford's Thunderbird made a significant impression on the nation's
media. Named Motor Trend magazine's "Car of the Year,"
People's Choice Car of the Year and Auto Interior magazine's "Interior
of the Year" in 2002, the renowned two-seater sports car has built
on that momentum for 2003. This year, Ford's Thunderbird is starring
in the movies. It's the vehicle driven by Academy Award-winner Halle
Berry as "Jinx" in the new 007 flick, "Die Another Day".
On the screen Thunderbird epitomizes the 'agent provocateur' personality.
It's incredibly beautiful, alluring yet clever and tech-savvy.
Revised
and re-invented, Ford's engineers say the close-coupled proportions
of the Thunderbird of old provided the inspiration for the 2003 model's
107.2-inch wheelbase. Its reverse-wedge body shape is higher at the
front fender and A-pillar than at the rear capturing the laid-back,
relaxed character of the original T-Bird.
The classic egg-crate grille with three-dimensional texture found on
Œ55-'57 Thunderbirds re-emerges on the 2003 model, and the short
front overhang is in keeping with proportions of the original. A hood
scoop reminiscent of the Œ61 Thunderbird is incorporated into the
Sheet-Molded-Composite (SMC) hood. A long-wing chromed Thunderbird is
set in the fascia above the grille. Dual headlights are round with integral
parking lamps and turn indicators under a clear lens. The front fenders
are made of SMC, while chrome louvers set in the fender hint at the
chrome louvers on early Thunderbird roadsters.
The 2003 Thunderbird is the fun of old all over again. The 64-degree
angle of the large chromed A-pillar and header give it the look of strength,
solidity and safety of former Thunderbirds, while at the same time giving
an updated, precisely crafted appearance. Designers say the rocker panels
are curved sharply under the body to conceal steel reinforcements that
improve body strength and rigidity. At the rear of the 186.3-inch long
car, small cutouts highlight the chrome-tipped exhaust pipes.
The Ford crowd says "Thunderbird will delight customers by providing
excellent ride quality, smoothness and outstanding handling characteristics."
This is due, they say, to its fully independent suspension and its nearly
50/50 front-to-rear weight distribution. A cross-car beam ties the structure
together just behind the seats and three steel X-braces are bolted to
the underbody in the front, middle of the car, and in the rear; resulting
in a body structure and chassis with good strength and stiffness that
helps provide excellent ride quality and handling.
The 2003 Thunderbird's 3.9-liter, 32-valve DOHC V-8 aluminum engine
is improved with variable cam timing. It has improved engine performance,
power and fuel economy. The 3.9-liter now delivers 280 horsepower at
6,000 rpm and 286 foot-pounds of torque at 4,000 rpm. The engine features
coil-on-plug ignition with platinum-tipped spark plugs, lightweight,
low-friction pistons and dual exhaust. The throaty exhaust sound is
carefully tuned to recapture some of the authentic Thunderbird magic.
Three-inch-diameter chrome exhaust tips give a bright appearance to
the back of the vehicle. Mated to the engine is a five-speed, close-ratio
electronically controlled transmission with an overdrive top gear.
At 6.9 cubic feet, Thunderbird's fully lined trunk is spacious enough
for two sets of golf clubs. A soft vinyl boot is provided to cover the
black, woven soft-top when it's down. The tail lamps are reminiscent
of the jet-plane treatment that enamored so many Thunderbird fans in
the 1950s.
Inside, Thunderbird provides 52.6 cubic feet of comfortable environment
for occupants. It has a black instrument panel highlighted with bright
accent colors and brushed aluminum appliqués. The center stack
flows out of the instrument panel with a sculpted line that creates
a waterfall effect leading to the console. Thunderbird's door trim panels
feature a black base panel with molded-in horizontal flutes and chrome
door handles. Its seats are leather, perforated on the inserts with
the familiar Thunderbird tuck and roll. The driver's seat has standard
six-way power and manually adjustable lumbar support. A carpeted shelf
behind the seats holds grocery bags, newspapers or other items.
Thunderbird is equipped with second-generation air bags for driver and
passenger. In addition, the driver and passenger seats are equipped
with standard side air bags, making Thunderbird the first Ford convertible
to come equipped with combination head- and-chest side air bags. Thunderbird
also features the child-seat anchor system called LATCH (Lower Anchors
and Tethers for Children). The Thunderbird safety-belt system includes
a pretensioner and an energy management retractor. Ford's BeltMinder�
system reminds drivers to buckle up. Also standard is Ford's glow-in-the-dark
emergency trunk release handle, which enables a person trapped in the
trunk to open it from inside.
The 2003 Thunderbird's standard equipment includes an anti-theft system
and remote keyless entry and doors that lock automatically when the
car is running and shifted out of park or neutral. The standard perimeter
anti-theft system detects attempted illegal entry through doors, hood
or trunk lid, and wheel locks.
Halle Berry looks good in it in the movie. Other African-American drivers
will want to try the rear-wheel-drive Thunderbird convertible for their
good looks. (It is also available with a removable top with classic
porthole windows.)
