Vehicle Description
Are the new Thunderbirds going to be as collectable as the
originals? That still remains to be seen, but the bottom line is
that this 2004 Ford Thunderbird is still a first-class ticket and a
wonderful piece of retro styling that makes everyone long for a
simpler time.
Ford knew what they were doing when they rolled out the 2-seater
Thunderbird convertible, capturing the look and feel of the
original while updating in every way. This one wears gorgeous Light
Ice Blue paint, an elegant color that accentuates the long, sleek
profile and makes this Thunderbird look far more expensive than it
is. The light paint accentuates the long, low profile and works
better than many of the other colors offered. With just 54,445
miles showing on the clock, you know this one is in excellent shape
in every way and has lived an easy life, like most Thunderbirds, as
a future collectable. As such, it's never seen snow, never been
rusty, and if it's even been in the rain, it was only in an
emergency because this was not a daily driver. Build quality on
these cars is quite good (Ford obviously knew their halo car had
better be excellent in every way) and the various parts fit
together better than you'd expect and offers doors that close with
a reassuringly heavy feeling. Unlike so many 2-seat convertibles,
this 'Bird feels substantial. There's still a bit of chrome, mostly
on the grille, and all of those details are in great condition,
too.
The black-and-white leather interior is a dramatic contrast to the
light blue bodywork, elegant and sporty in every way, and looks
even more dramatic with those 'Performance White Accents', which
were an optional equipment add-on for another $595 from the
factory. With such low mileage, there are almost no signs of use
save for a few wrinkles and scuffs on the seat leather, and even
those might have been there when the hides were still on the cow.
Black carpets are unmarked, protected by some carpeted floor mats
that were probably there from day one, and the lovely leather
steering wheel isn't dirty or discolored, remarkable for a piece
that includes that white performance accent. Heck, even the shifter
knob is white and black, tying in the whole theme of the car very
nicely. Just about everything was standard on the Thunderbird,
including automatic climate control, power windows, locks, mirrors,
and seats, cruise control, and a powerful Audiophile AM/FM/CD
changer stereo that sounds great when you're running alfresco. In
addition, this T-Bird also has heated seats and a traction control
button close to the driver, which means it's about as loaded as
you'll ever see. The big, clear gauges have a retro feel but aren't
duplicates of old gauges but a modern take on a classic look, right
down to the turquoise-colored pointers. A black power convertible
top is the one you'll use most often, but it also includes a
color-matched porthole hardtop so you can use it year-round.
Ford's 3.9 liter V8 engine is smooth, torquey, and utterly capable
in the smooth 2-seat 'Bird. It's not made for tire-shredding
performance, but if you want to hustle, it's ready and willing.
Properly maintained from new, it's turn-key ready for a
cross-country road trip, and with the 5-speed automatic
transmission behind it, fuel economy is decent. Like the original
Thunderbirds, the suspension is supple without being soggy, and the
all-independent setup rarely puts a tire wrong. Big disc brakes
give it a level of confidence earlier Thunderbirds would have
appreciated and the dual exhaust has just the right eight-cylinder
burble. This one currently wears a set of chrome 17-inch 7-spoke
Thunderbird wheels with 235/50/17 Michelin radials, and those
bright wheels are the perfect complement to the light blue paint,
making this a very flashy T-Bird indeed.
Only time will tell if these are legitimate collectables, but
buying a low-mileage Thunderbird in a great color combination is a
smart first step. Call today!
