Ford Thunderbird
Ford’s retro T-bird is looking interesting. In a market where so much is overpriced this is one classic modern that’s never been hyped. Back in November 2017 Historics sold an ‘as new’ 2002 with just 1600 miles for £22,400 complete with hardtop. For a seldom-seen V8 convertible with such a miniscule mileage this was a steal.
For those who dismiss the 11th generation 2002 to 2005 ’Bird as a faux classic, it’s a smooth-riding, distinctive and well-specced two-seater you don’t have to suffer to own. Find one with the later 280bhp 32-valve 4.2-litre Jag lump and you’ll see 60mph in 6.1sec, a limited top end of 132mph and modernities like aircon, power leather seats, traction control and silky five-speed auto.
Because the retro-bird is left-hook only, we’ve dismissed them, and values in the UK are flat. Anthony Dale Cars in Norfolk has a 2005, 50th Anniversary Edition (one of 240) in Platinum Silver, 48k and hardtop for £15,989 – less than you’d pay for an average Triumph Stag.
We’re also missing the fact that these are reliable, with problems limited to spark plug coils and weeping valve cover gaskets. Lots have got to 150,000 miles without serious faults.
The T-bird’s personality has always been that of a soft boulevard cruiser. Ford described its first 1955 incarnation as a ‘personal car’; don’t expect a rush of endorphins from any cutting-edge chassis dynamics, rather the well-planted progress of a Mercedes SL. Underneath there’s a solid Jag S-type/lincoln LS platform.
This T-bird may not be collectable for a while yet – although there was a limited run of 700 special-colour Coral 007 versions – and if you really want to get OCD about paint options Ford only built 82 examples in Inca Gold in the 2005 model year.
As the second most successful example of the car industry craze of the 2000s for retrofuturism (BMW’S Mini was the best) it will, eventually, carve itself a small niche in history. In the meantime it’s an undervalued and very distinctive drop-top that’s perfect for summer continental cruising. Those neat looks really are mellowing nicely and of the ten other T-bird model years, the 11th is the closest to that perfectly proportioned original of 1955, immortalised by Marilyn Monroe and Frank Sinatra.
If you’re clever you could pick up a low-mileage retro-bird for £15,000 or less – at which point, you really shouldn’t hesitate.