Vehicle Description
The 21st century Ford Thunderbird was a collectable the moment it
hit the showroom, but some are more collectable than others. This
relatively rare (#909 out of 1000) 2004 Ford Thunderbird "Pacific
Coast Roadster" stands out in a crowd while still delivering the
same driving experience that keeps these cars in such high
demand.
Like the Neiman-Marcus and 007 editions, the Pacific Coast Roadster
got its own color called Monterey Mist Green, which makes the
Thunderbird look sleek, not vintage. For a car that's been around
for 15 years now, the finish is in very good condition, a testament
to both the care it has received and the fact that it was never
really used as a daily driver. Build quality on these cars was
quite good, with sharp gaps all around and doors that close with a
solid sound, rather well done for a car with a convertible top. The
vintage T-Bird look is still there in small doses, particularly up
front where there's a nice chrome grille and hood scoop, while out
back, the big, round taillights are a 21st century take on Ford's
favorite jet-age styling feature. Beautiful Thunderbird emblems
resemble the originals with their inlaid turquoise details and a
few well-chosen bits of chrome give this 'Bird an upscale feel. If
you're going to pick nits, there's a small scuff on the rear
bumper, but overall this car is really impressively clean for its
age.
The "Light and Dark Ash" interior is a nice contrast to the
metallic green paint and it's far more comfortable in the sun than
black and far more interesting than tan. It also appears to be
years younger and miles fresher than you'd expect, with seats
showing only very minor wear and it's worth noting that this was
the only time cloth inserts were used on the Thunderbird. Of
course, on Ford's flagship, everything was standard, so you get ice
cold A/C, power windows, locks, mirrors, and seats, cruise control,
and a great-sounding stereo that works well top up or top down.
There were several different dashboard finishes available, but the
Pacific Coast Roadsters received a unique dot pattern that looks
great with the white-faced gauges and turquoise pointers. It's
strictly a 2-seater, but there's a well-finished package shelf
behind the seats and a good-sized trunk that's fully upholstered in
as-new condition. And like the 'Birds of the past, this one offers
both a unique "Light Ash" convertible top (power assisted, of
course) as well as a contrasting "Ash Metallic" porthole
hardtop.
The only engine available in the late-model 'Birds was a 3.9 liter
DOHC V8 that delivered the kind of effortless performance that made
the original so popular. It's not a racer, but it's competent and
has a great V8 growl thanks to a modified exhaust system that
dumped the rear resonators. It starts easily, idles smoothly, and
moves the tidy convertible with gusto but never threatens to get
unruly. A 5-speed automatic transmission was the only choice, and
it, too, specializes in always being in the right gear without
attracting a lot of attention. An all-independent suspension
handles well but doesn't jostle occupants and the 4-wheel discs are
powerful. And thanks to a recent $4500 service that included all
new power steering components, A/C service, new water pump, and a
lot of other work, it's 100% ready to drive and enjoy. Finally,
those 16-spoke alloys are also unique to the Pacific Coast Roadster
and wear expensive 235/50/17 Michelin radials.
This Thunderbird neatly balances price and quality with fun and
collectability, making it a great choice for a late-model hobby
car. Call today!