Who killed Ford Thunderbird?

by YankeeJim | January 17, 2011 at 11:20 am
171 views | 2 Recommendations | 4 comments

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T-Bird | Photo 02

T-Bird | Photo 02

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It’s a play on “Who killed cock robin?”

“Who killed Cock Robin poem

"Who killed Cock Robin?" "I," said the Sparrow,
"With my bow and arrow, I killed Cock Robin."
"Who saw him die?" "I," said the Fly,
"With my little eye, I saw him die."
"Who caught his blood?" "I," said the Fish,
"With my little dish, I caught his blood."
"Who'll make the shroud?" "I," said the Beetle,
"With my thread and needle, I'll make the shroud."
"Who'll dig his grave?" "I," said the Owl,
"With my pick and shovel, I'll dig his grave."
"Who'll be the parson?" "I," said the Rook,
"With my little book, I'll be the parson."
"Who'll be the clerk?" "I," said the Lark,
"If it's not in the dark, I'll be the clerk."
"Who'll carry the link?" "I," said the Linnet,
"I'll fetch it in a minute, I'll carry the link."
"Who'll be chief mourner?" "I," said the Dove,
"I mourn for my love, I'll be chief mourner."
"Who'll carry the coffin?" "I," said the Kite,
"If it's not through the night, I'll carry the coffin."
"Who'll bear the pall? "We," said the Wren,
"Both the cock and the hen, we'll bear the pall."
"Who'll sing a psalm?" "I," said the Thrush,
"As she sat on a bush, I'll sing a psalm."
"Who'll toll the bell?" "I," said the bull,
"Because I can pull, I'll toll the bell."
All the birds of the air fell a-sighing and a-sobbing,
When they heard the bell toll for poor Cock Robin.”

(Inspired by the death of Robin Hood.)

Did the bell toll for certain for the Thunderbird? Designing a two-seater was probably not a good idea. A small back seat for taking two guests for a short drive to dinner would have been good. The trunk would not hold two sets of golf clubs and for many that is a non starter. If Ford had stretched the design to make it a little longer, and if Ford had powered it with a hybrid, now, they would be realizing the successful rebirth of a car that refused to die no matter how many bad designers it had to endure.

I like the way they appear. Here’s one that belongs to a guest of a neighbor.

“After being on hiatus for several years, Ford introduced a new Thunderbird for 2002. Returning to the original formula for the Thunderbird, the latest version had a two-seat coupe/convertible layout like the first-generation Thunderbird and retrofuturistic styling to match. The eleventh generation Thunderbird was built at Ford's Wixom Assembly Plant and was based on the company's DEW98 platform, which was shared with the Lincoln LS and Jaguar S-Type. Though the Thunderbird's exterior styling was very much unique relative to its platform mates, the interior, particularly the appearance of the dash area, instrument panel, and steering wheel, was very similar to that of the Lincoln LS. The sole engine of the Thunderbird was a Jaguar-designed AJ-30 3.9 L DOHC V8, a de-bored variant of the Jaguar AJ-26 4.0 L V8, making 252 horsepower (188 kW) and 267 lb·ft (362 N·m) of torque. The engine was mated to Ford's 5R55N 5-speed automatic transmission. The AJ-30 V8 was replaced by the AJ-35 in 2003 and later Thunderbirds, bringing with it variable valve timing (VVT) and electronic throttle control (ETC) as well as 280 horsepower (210 kW) and 286 lb·ft (388 N·m) of torque. Complementing the extra power and torque provided by the AJ-35 V8, a manual shift feature for the 5-speed automatic called SelectShift was available as an option in 2003 and later Thunderbirds. With sales dropping off significantly after its first model year, Ford decided to make the 2005 model year the Thunderbird's last with no scheduled successor.”

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0
YankeeJim

You can pick up a used 2005 model with 45,000 miles for $19,000-$22,000.

1
YankeeJim

Should have filed this as car sex.

1
Edmund Jenks

A sad passing indeed - maybe the answer is what you suggest ... turn this two-seater with little luggage space into a hybrid or a Tesla type electric.

I like them in White, Black or a retro '50's color.

0
YankeeJim

I would buy it and drive it.

This story was created over 3 months ago, the comment thread is now closed.

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Edmund Jenks
First Flagged at 7:29 AM, Jan 22, 2011 by Edmund Jenks
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