Vehicle Description
Are the newest Thunderbirds going to be as collectable as the
originals? That 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. With values rising each year, now might be the
perfect time to get in on a this 'modern classic'.
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 Torch
Red paint, an elegant color that accentuates the long, sleek
profile and makes this Thunderbird look far more expensive than it
is. The bright red accentuates the sweeping, low profile and just
works better with the retro-design than many of the other colors
offered. With just 79,559 miles showing on the clock, you know this
one is in excellent shape in almost every way showing only minor
signs of use and has lived an easy life, like most Thunderbirds, as
a future collectable. As such, it's never seen snow, never been
wrecked, 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 red leather interior is a perfect complement to the
Torch Red bodywork (Go Dawgs, anyone?), elegant and sporty in every
way. With relatively low mileage, there are almost no signs of use
save for a few wrinkles and comfort marks on the driver's 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, discolored, or faded,
remarkable for a red and black piece. Heck, even the shifter knob
is wrapped in matching red! Just about everything was standard on
the Thunderbird, including automatic climate control, power
windows, locks, mirrors, and seats, cruise control, and a powerful
AM/FM/CD stereo that sounds great when you're running alfresco. 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 Thunderbird wheels
with 235/50/17 Continental radials, and the bright wheels are the
perfect complement to the Torch Red 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!
