Vehicle Description
2003 Ford Thunderbird Convertible
Ford revived more than an American icon when it boldly resurrected
its unique Thunderbird sports/personal car for 2002. It also, as
events would have it, reprised an historic Motor Trend Car of the
Year win. Our forefathers here named the 1958 Thunderbird the first
of the larger, four seat versions as Car of the Year, hailing the
overall concept...that combines safety with performance and comfort
with compactness. "For 2002, we're happy to bestow that honor
again, recognizing today's Thunderbird for how it combines heritage
with modernity and pleasure with practicality".
For consignment, a 2003 Ford Thunderbird convertible, a one owner
car with a title verified 5,825 actual miles. Meticulously
maintained, this is a two top car with hardtop dolly included with
the sale. This premium edition has a brand new Ford battery on
board.
Exterior
Dressed in what was a new color for modern Thunderbirds, Mountain
Shadow Gray covers this car and the accessory hardtop that goes
with it, adorned with the legendary porthole windows lined in
polished trim. There's a black canvas top of course, and its rear
window is as clear as a bell and in great shape. The long hood and
steeply raked windshield and cab position puts eight feet of car
ahead of you and almost as much behind you as the straight shoulder
line of the car becomes the rear fenders that terminate with round
tail lights that stand vertical and protrude just enough to be
visible to drivers to your side. The body cues pick up heavily from
the 50's except for fins being shaved and front fenders blending
with flush headlights. Fender vents also summon the classic
Thunderbirds, but the 17-inch chrome wheels could not have been
dreamed up in 1955. The grille bows out slightly rather than being
perfectly vertical and integrated fog lights live in the front body
keyed valance. This is a stunner, and we could not find any
exterior imperfections.
Interior
In a clean nod to the 1950's, the interior package hints of retro
design, here in monochromatic Black Ink, beginning with the
patterned door panels with a brushed aluminum trim piece. The
robust seats also combine black ribbed inserts and a Thunderbird
logo embossed on the smooth black leather, while a substantial head
restraint rises over each high back bucket seat. Just as with the
classic Thunderbirds, the colors and patterns encircle the cabin
including a circular storage shelf behind the seats that is walled
by a stitch patterned border. White faced gauges enjoy turquoise
needles and the center stack houses the AM/FM/CD radio and A/C
switchgear. About the only thing that's not flat black in the cabin
is the glossy black handle on the shifter, located on the center
console. Low pile black carpet covers the floor cleanly, and the
trunk is perfectly lined and finished with gray cloth panels.
Drivetrain
Plastic shrouds dominate the view of the spotless engine bay where
a 3.9 DOHC liter V8 resides rated at 280 horsepower. It's fuel
injected and is driven by a 5R55N 5-speed automatic transmission
which spins the back wheels with 3.58 gears. Power disc brakes are
on all four corners.
Undercarriage
Super clean underneath with virtually no surface rust and no fluids
out of place anywhere. The occasional nut or bolt with surface rust
proves that no matter how new a car, oxidation will take place,
even if garaged far from the ocean. There are still wax pencil
marks from the assembly line on the underside, clean heat shields,
and grease free components. The dual exhaust flows into the
original equipment mufflers before heading to the back and the
independent front and rear suspension consist of coil springs.
Drive-Ability
Ford promoted the Thunderbird as having relaxed sportiness. That
implies the ride will be softer than a tightly wound sports car and
indeed, this is more cruiser than sports car and provides an
ultimately comfortable cabin from which to enjoy the ride. There's
decent power here, certainly enough to instill highway confidence,
and along with good visibility, great braking, and decent handling,
this car performed well, and all operational items functioned as
they should. While Classic Auto Mall represents that these
functions were working at the time of our test drive, we cannot
guarantee these functions will be working at the time of your
purchase.
The retro birds come in various colors, but you can never go wrong
with a stunning gray exterior and this one has it. If you're
looking for a new modern Thunderbird, this is an exceptional
candidate and like others, it may have been tucked away for weekend
joyrides, but there's no reason why this could not be enjoyed every
day, or at least, a few times a week. Take flight and call about
this T'bird today!
1FAHP60A93Y101818
1-USA
F-Ford Motor Company
A-Passenger Car
H-Manual Belts, Front & Side Airbags
P60-Thunderbird
A-3.9L DOHC V8 280hp
9-Check Digit
3-2003
Y-Wixom, MI Assy Plant
101818-Sequential Unit Number
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and
collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate
controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8
acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic
and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the
I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit
www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us
anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.
There is no guarantee of mileage. A $299 Dealer Administrative fee
is not included in the advertised price.
With so many great cars, you know we have a lot to talk about, and
we do that each week on the Classic Auto Mall Podcast with host
Stewart Howden. Stewart discusses new inventory as well as trends
in consignments and car prices, while interviewing celebrities and
automotive professionals about amazing cars and their history. Tune
in each week to the Classic Auto Mall Podcast wherever you enjoy
listening. You can also watch on YouTube!
