Vehicle Description
Are the new 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.
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" paint, an elegant color that accentuates the long, sleek
profile and makes this Thunderbird look far more expensive than it
is. The dark paint accentuates the long, low profile and works
better than many of the other colors offered. With just 25,775
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
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 as-new condition,
too.
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 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 or
discolored, remarkable for a light-colored piece. Heck, even the
shifter knob is wrapped in matching tan leather! 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 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 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 Goodyear radials, and the bright wheels are the
perfect complement to the burgundy 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!