To celebrate ahalf-century since the Thunderbird debuted, Ford will build a 50th AnniversaryLimited Edition model that will go on sale this spring, for $59,275.
To put that intoperspective, the MSRP on a regular 2005 Ford Thunderbird is $56,775.
Both pricesinclude a hardtop roof and all-speed traction control, says Peter Jansen, thebrand manager for Thunderbird at Ford of Canada, but only the 50th AnniversaryEdition will get the ''gorgeous Cashmere tri-coat metallic paint with matchingremovable hardtop and Medium Light Stone cloth convertible top and soft boot,and 16-spoke, 17-inch wheels with an accented hub ring to match the Cashmerepaint.''
Jansen says, ''Weknow the 50th Anniversary Limited Edition model will become a prized vehiclefor Canadian Thunderbird collectors, and we expect them to be in very limitedsupply here."
Neither Jansenor anyone else would put a hard number on the amount of special T-Bird models Canada would get of the 1,500 to be built, butusing the customary 10:1 ratio with the U.S. market suggests we could getabout 150.
Other featuresspecific to the collector's edition T-Bird will include a new coordinatedinterior packages with full leather Cashmere seats, and lower instrument panel trim, floor console and door armrests.
''An understatedSoft Gold-tinted 50th Anniversary badge graces the instrument panel,'' Jansennotes, ''and 50th Anniversary insignias are embossed on the seatbacks. Eachvehicle will feature a numbered commemorative plaque mounted inside the glovebox.''
Ford likes tocall the T-Bird an icon, and that's probably true, but it probably gets thatstatus almost entirely from the short run of two-seat models it built in the1950s, when it was widely seen as an alternative to the Chevrolet Corvette.
Soon enough,Ford turned the Thunderbird into a four-door hardtop. It went through variousiterations, most of which were less appealing than the last, and the brandactually died out for a while after some undistinguished years as a two-doorcoupe. Ford brought it back as an upscale roadster a couple of years ago, butthere currently aren't any plans to build a new one when the public's interestin this version wears out.
Previousspecial-edition Thunderbirds have proven highly desirable, says Jansen. ''In2002, Ford offered 200 special-edition Thunderbirds for sale through theexclusive Neiman Marcus Christmas Book, and those 200 cars sold out in twohours and 15 minutes and are considered highly prized collector's items.'' photo: Ford of Canada
To put that intoperspective, the MSRP on a regular 2005 Ford Thunderbird is $56,775.
Both pricesinclude a hardtop roof and all-speed traction control, says Peter Jansen, thebrand manager for Thunderbird at Ford of Canada, but only the 50th AnniversaryEdition will get the ''gorgeous Cashmere tri-coat metallic paint with matchingremovable hardtop and Medium Light Stone cloth convertible top and soft boot,and 16-spoke, 17-inch wheels with an accented hub ring to match the Cashmerepaint.''
Jansen says, ''Weknow the 50th Anniversary Limited Edition model will become a prized vehiclefor Canadian Thunderbird collectors, and we expect them to be in very limitedsupply here."
Neither Jansenor anyone else would put a hard number on the amount of special T-Bird models
Other featuresspecific to the collector's edition T-Bird will include a new coordinatedinterior packages with full leather
''An understatedSoft Gold-tinted 50th Anniversary badge graces the instrument panel,'' Jansennotes, ''and 50th Anniversary insignias are embossed on the seatbacks. Eachvehicle will feature a numbered commemorative plaque mounted inside the glovebox.''
Ford likes tocall the T-Bird an icon, and that's probably true, but it probably gets thatstatus almost entirely from the short run of two-seat models it built in the1950s, when it was widely seen as an alternative to the Chevrolet Corvette.
Soon enough,Ford turned the Thunderbird into a four-door hardtop. It went through variousiterations, most of which were less appealing than the last, and the brandactually died out for a while after some undistinguished years as a two-doorcoupe. Ford brought it back as an upscale roadster a couple of years ago, butthere currently aren't any plans to build a new one when the public's interestin this version wears out.
Previousspecial-edition Thunderbirds have proven highly desirable, says Jansen. ''In2002, Ford offered 200 special-edition Thunderbirds for sale through theexclusive Neiman Marcus Christmas Book, and those 200 cars sold out in twohours and 15 minutes and are considered highly prized collector's items.'' photo: Ford of Canada