Vehicle Description
When the retro-styled Ford Thunderbird hit the streets in 2001,
most of them were snapped up and put away as "future collectables."
That's nice, but it also means that prices are up and the mileage
is so low that you risk driving the value out of a car that you
buy. That's why this 2003 Ford Thunderbird is so refreshing: it's
just a really cool car. With enough miles to know that it's been
properly enjoyed and proper maintenance behind it, it's a stylish
2-seater that can be used, you know, as a real car.
The color is called Torch Red, and it's a classic look on anything
called Thunderbird. The styling recalls the first 2-seater 'Birds
of the 1950s, so white was a natural choice and it certainly looks
good on the handsomely styled Thunderbird of the 21st century. Only
3516 Thunderbirds were painted this color, so it's not exactly
common, and it showcases the car's many design details that make it
special. The grille and headlights are certainly vintage-looking,
finished in chrome, and the vents on the front fenders recall the
faux chrome details on the original. The finish is in excellent
condition for being 17 years old, with a few imperfections here and
there, but an overall look that really impresses. It simply looks
great and people will admire this car everywhere it goes because it
embodies everything that's great with top-down motoring. This is
A-list motoring for the price of a used Honda Civic.
The black leather interior should create a sense of Deja-vu with
its pleated seats and brushed metal accents. This car has obviously
been properly maintained, as the leather shows only modest comfort
marks and no splitting, cracking, or significant wear. The same is
true of the carpets, which, in a convertible, is pretty remarkable,
and the door panels don't show so much as a divot where the
driver's elbow might have rested. That's a testament to the quality
of the build as much as the care it's received. Everything was
standard in the Thunderbird, and the steering wheel is wrapped in
black leather. White-faced gauges are a modern touch that somehow
seems to work rather well here, and as you'd expect, everything
works properly. There's a black canvas convertible top that
disappears with the touch of a button, and it provides great
contrast that works well with the red bodywork. The Thunderbird
also offers a good-sized trunk ready for a vacation.
Ford's 3.9 liter DOHC V8 pumped out 280 horsepower in the
Thunderbird, making for some very entertaining performance. After
13 years, these engines' reliability has been proven and it starts
quickly, idles smoothly, and pulls well in all five gears. The
engine is tidy and unmolested, so factory reliability remains
intact. The suspension is supple yet athletic, the perfect
combination for cruising easily and having some fun when the road
starts to twist, but it isn't a sports car. Likewise, the 4-wheel
disc brakes are massive, but that's mostly for security and safety,
not eyeball-detaching race detail. The dual exhaust has a pleasing
V8 burble and a mellow roar at full throttle and those chrome
wheels were unique to the T-Bird and now carry 235/50/17 Michelin
radials.
These are really nice cars and are sure-fire collectables in the
future. Why not enjoy the retro look on a more reasonable budget?
Call today!