Vehicle Description
Are the 'new' Thunderbirds going to be as collectable as the
originals? Even with their recent spike in popularity and meteoric
rise in values, the verdict is still out (after all, the bar was
set very high by the legendary model), but the bottom line is that
ultra-clean, low-mileage examples like this 2004 Ford Thunderbird
represent a first-class ticket to nostalgic motoring that can
hardly be rivaled.
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
Merlot Metallic paint, an elegant color that complements the long,
sleek design and makes this Thunderbird look far more expensive
than it is. The dark paint accentuates the swooping profile and
works better than many of the other colors offered, and because
this a 2004-only color, you won't be seeing too many of these
Merlot beauties at your local cruise-in. With just 39,729 actual
miles showing on the clock, you know this one is in great 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
wrecked, and if it's even been in the rain, it was only in an
emergency because this was not a daily driver. And with only
2-owners since new and a lifetime spent in the Southern United
States - imperfections are very minimal and any that can be found
could easily be remedied with a buff-and-wax. 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, highlighted by doors that close
with a reassuringly heavy feeling. Unlike so many 2-seat
convertibles, this 'Bird feels substantial, almost like the
hand-built cars of old. There's still a bit of chrome as an homage
to previous generations, mostly on the grille, and all of those
details are in as-new condition, too. And should you ever get
caught out in the rain, this baby comes with both a power soft top
and color-matched auxiliary hard top that both seal up flush.
The tan leather interior is a dramatic contrast to the dark red
bodywork, elegant and sporty in every way. With such low mileage,
there are almost no signs of use save for a few wrinkles and
surface-level scratches on the driver's seat leather, and even
those might have been there when the hides were still on the cow.
Black carpets are largely unmarked, protected by black carpeted
floor mats outlined with tan piping, and the lovely leather
steering wheel isn't dirty or majorly discolored, which is pretty
remarkable for a light-colored piece that's in such a high traffic
area. Heck, even the shifter knob is wrapped in matching tan
leather and looks great too. Just about everything was standard on
the 11th generation Thunderbirds, including automatic climate
control, power windows, locks, mirrors, and seats, cruise control,
and a powerful factory 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 rather a modern take on a
classic look, right down to the turquoise-colored pointers. A tan
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 DOHC V8 engine is smooth, torquey, and utterly
capable in the smooth 2-seat T-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 power disc
brakes give it a level of confidence earlier Thunderbirds would
have appreciated and the factory dual exhaust has just the right
eight-cylinder burble. This one currently wears a set of 17-inch
chrome Thunderbird wheels with 235/50/17 Michelin radials, and the
bright wheels are the perfect complement to the Merlot paint,
making this a very flashy T-Bird indeed.
Only time will tell if these are legitimate collectables that will
bring huge bucks, but buying a low-mileage Thunderbird in a great
color combination is a smart first step toward progress. Call
today!
