Thunderbird! An Illustrated History of the Ford T-Bird (The Ford Road Series, Vol. 4)

Book Description
The Thunderbird was originally designed to be small and racy with a unique look and personality that would set it apart from its contemporaries. Although never intended to be a sports car, it was only 52.1" high and its 102 wheelbase was an inch and a half shorter than that of the Model A! Luxurious enough for the most discriminating buyer, the 1955 model offered plush vinyl upholstery, "Astra Dial" control panel, adjustable steering wheel, tachometer and clock, all standard. Yet with its 292 cubic inch V-8 engine (rated at 198 horsepower), four barrel carburetor and dual exhausts, it was high-spirited enough for any enthusiast. The car was recognized immediately as a breakthrough in automotive engineering and design and soon developed a dedicate owner body. Although the original two-seated Thunderbird was manufactured for only three years, it was so advanced in concept that its influence in the automobile industry is still being felt today as the Ford Motor Company again presents its descendents.    Despite many changes through the forty years leading to its demise in the mid-nineties and re-birth on 2001 Thunderbird retained its individuality and has earned its soubriquet "Unique in all the World". In these page one can revisit and enjoy another look at the unique world which is.... THUNDERBIRD!


From the Publisher
320 pages and over 1000 pictures are employed to describe the early Ford Thunderbirds. The 1955-1957 models are clearly defined and there is additional coverage of the 1958 to 1969 versions. Highly recommended.


Excerpted from Thunderbird! an Illustrated History of the Ford T-Bird. by Ray Miller, Glenn Embree. Copyright © 1988. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
"On February 20, 1954 at the Detroit Automobile Show, the Ford Motor Company unveiled an entirely new automobile concept. Eighteen years later, in the Spring of 1972, its one millionth descendent had been produced. Assuming an average price of $4000 each, and with a stistical average of over 55,000 units per year, that event at Detroit in 1954 presaged an added annual volume of almost a quarter of a billion dollars for each succeeding year!"


Buy from Amazon     Compare Prices