Ovaltine

I agree with that!

This particular thread reminds me of some of my earliest posts back in 2006 (still available on here, btw) about how impressed I was with a new design 2004.5 Kia Spectra EX I had purchased new as a go-to-work vehicle. It was very nicely optioned, and all for about $13.5k US out-the-door. I shared with the forums here my observations about how really decent the Spectra was, and I was practically laughed off the board. I later pointed out the quick rise of the H/K duo in the various quality ratings, and again was met with derision. So I must admit that I take a little pleasure in reading this thread. 😉 For the record though, I truly am happy for Ford that the Lincoln lineup is looking so polished and robust these days. And I actually would have to say that I prefer the Lincoln's SUV styling efforts over the Telluride. It's very heartening to see the resurgence of Lincoln over Cadillac, after all the years of Caddy looking like it was the one American luxury line that would survive and thrive. I just wish that Lincoln would revive a Continental Mark (or better yet - a new Thunderbird!) line in a nice 2-door coupe - but with the current trends for sedans/coupes, we all know that that isn't going to happen any time soon. I just *wish* Ford would do more towards avoiding the predictable vehicle launch issues, the usual "big ticket" engineering faux pas de jour (Focus trannys?), and the plethora of little-but-imporant-part breakages that only seem to happen on Fords and not many other high volume makes. In any case, I'd have to say looking back 13+ years now that my predictions and observations about the Koreans weren't too far off the mark. -Ovaltine

It looks like the DCT debacle is coming to a head.... EXCERPT: "DETROIT – They knew the truth and kept quiet. Their secret wasn’t a secret at all in engineering, product development, research, design or manufacturing within Ford Motor Co., say seven current and former employees who worked to develop and launch the Fiesta and Focus cars that would become known for defective automatic transmissions. “My hands are dirty. I feel horrible,” said an engineer who played a key role in developing the popular compact cars." https://finance.yahoo.com/news/ford-workers-break-silence-faulty-145800004.html

Nice information page here on the "Grabber" line..... https://www.hemmings.com/blog/article/1971-75-ford-maverick-grabber-2/

And here's that '72 Nova "image" I was referring to....

Being a child of the 1970's, and like a '72 Nova SS is to the name 'Nova', this picture is what I forever will see in my mind when I read the words "Ford Maverick"! -Ovaltine

FYI - NAAO Chief Bob Rewey's obit from 2014. Very Interesting sounding guy. https://www.autonews.com/article/20141201/OEM02/141209980/robert-rewey-ford-marketing-exec-who-moved-the-iron-dies-at-76

I worked at the NAAO building on that site for a couple of years in the late '80s as a contract programmer on the LUCID PC application project. I have some good memories of talking to older guys high up in various vehicle programs, and hearing some of their old war stories from the TRULY "Old Days" of the late '50s, '60s, and '70s. The little "New Model Year" car show out in the south parking lot during the late summer was a fun event to go to. Seeing disguised vehicle mules in the parking lot there, and esp. in the EEE lot during my install visits there was very cool - in the pre-Internet "spyshot" world of 1988/89. One thing I still chuckle about is how after various big meetings would get out, a stream of staff would parade through the offices of the stats people I worked for asking for this data and that data and the request was ALWAYS for "Bob" - aka Bob Rewey who was in charge of the complex back then. The guys I reported to would mutter about how "busy" Bob's surely going to be if everyone gets the data they're asking for! LOL! The other anecdotal story I remember is someone coming in and telling us how he had just left a meeting where they had spent almost an entire hour arguing about whether to greenlight (or not) a .20 cent backseat ashtray in a Lincoln! He was massaging his temple and looking for some aspirin at that point! -Ovaltine

I don't know anything about the new guy - but this Crains article points out that his primary experience is with the finances of Amazon and SnapChat - both of which obviously are not even remotely automotive-related. https://www.crainsdetroit.com/people/former-amazon-snap-exec-succeed-retiring-ford-cfo EXCERPT: ""We're so excited to have Tim join Ford at this incredible time for our company as we strive to become the world's most trusted company, designing smart vehicles for a smart world," Hackett said in the release. "He was a key player in the incredible success at Amazon and he understands the principles of fitness and growth as complementary virtues for Ford's future." What does everyone think of this move???

Hey - if they won't build me a new Thunderbird, then NO retro-anything-elses! LOL!

Here 'ya go - just sitting on the lot and ready to TAKE HOME! LOL 🤣 https://www.carfax.com/Used-Chevrolet-HHR-Panel_w148 -Ovaltine

It looks like FCA needs do some sub-contracting, and pick up some Ford 9-inchers for use in those Demons! LOL 🤣 https://www.hotrod.com/articles/9-inch-ford-rearend-strongest-rearend-due-hypoid-distance/

Heard this iconic tune by homeboy Bob Seger on Detroit's WCSX this morning, and it resonated with the sentiments I had when I created this post/thread. Needless to say, that I'm STILL hopin' that someday Ford will be "Makin' Thunderbirds" again! 😉

Other than incorporating the "split", Ford had the Ram's technology down pat back in the '60s! LOL We LOVED the "Magic Doorgate" in our '68 LTD Country Squire when I was growing up. It was the usual lime-ish green w/fake wood sides, common for the era. DEFINITELY the inspiration for Clark and Ellen's "Wagon Queen - Family Truckster"! I've attached a pic of a '66 version - which is the essential the same setup we had. Btw - that 390 CID in that wagon hauled a** - quite literally! 😄 -Ovaltine

But - I'm doubting that any Lincoln (other than a 2-seater) would have as minuscule rear seat as a 'Stang - thus I'm assuming that a Lincoln version would ride on a lengthened Mustang chassis. If that assumption proved to be correct - then a Thunderbird COULD then in theory share that platform fairly economically. With that said, that name: Thundercougarfalconbird IS starting to grow on me a little!!! LOL 😂 -Ovaltine