joihan777

Wow Watchdevil! That Iosis T-Bird looks fantastic. I just set it as my new desktop background! It would be perfect as a folding hardtop as well. BTW, I checked out the Porsche 911 and it has tiny backseats, so it is a 2+2. Do you think an Iosis T-Bird with 2+2 seating, sized a little smaller than a Mustang, would work? I think 2+2 911 style would still 'feel' like a personal luxury automobile. And look great.

N-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-C-E !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What would it compete against, if anything? What safety features do you expect? Warranty? Price?

Agree 100% For those that think there is no business case for a Thunderbird & Mark X, I ask you to consider the millions of baby boomers who recently (post 9/11) are willing to try American again. Especially vehicles with top-notch powertrains and better warranties. Many baby boomers are middle class+ & empty nesters already. Many already have regular cars and are ready for something more personal & luxurious. I say the Thunderbird & Mark X are perfect for this market. Nearly half of the Corvettes, SLKs, SCs, Miatas & Z4s I see are being driven by older adults. Combined with us Gen Xers that happen to think the T-Birds are worthy, I think Ford would do well to bring back the Legend. Just this time don't make the same mistake as the 02-05' T-Bird i.e. too expensive and skimpy on the luxury & performance. Making them using the Mustang platform, with its higher beltline for ease of ingress, would be an economical starting point.

Amen! I was late to work yesterday and ended up flirting with 100mph on the interstate. Only car sweating me was a Z. (Of course I beat it!) Even at 90+ the Rabbit felt absolutely planted! It is a fantastic vehicle. And it has rear seat headrests. I only wish the 2009+ Focus can keep up. There's something to be said about cars designed for the autobahn.... (Pssst.. Ford, design your cars for the autobahn!)

Hot hatches are definitely getting hotter! Looks like Toyota will provide another reason for kids to stay away from Ford, as if the new Focus mini-sedan needed help.

DEAR GOD MAN! WHY WASN'T I NOTIFIED ABOUT THIS EARLIER! WOW, that is a pretty machine! I have never heard of it before! Do the baby boomers know about it? Or has Ford-Lincoln managed to keep it secret? That thing is beautiful! Gosh darnit why won't they build it?! I found this neat little article on the Lincoln Mark X (that's Mark Ten): Serious Wheels Lincoln Mark X article with fabo pics

Found a Youtube clip on Thunderbird history Enjoy!

Is this what you mean? How cool is this? 100% humina-humina! (Ford, stop twisting the blade!)

As for Ford having high image four door luxury cars, isn't that Lincoln's job? Lincoln always seems to be the cream of the Ford crop. I understand about having a nice 4-door Mustang, but why use the Thunderbird name for it? What about the concept names? The 2002-2005 Thunderbird were nice but were lacking in some aspects. Still, their owners are fanatic about them! They would have been vastly more popular except Ford a) made them waaay too expensive B) not as luxurious as they could have been c) didn't give em' enough power & performance d) not many safety features and e) did I mention way too expensive!?!? It don't think it failed saleswise because it was a two seater, in fact I think this is what drew its customers to it, not simply the Thunderbird name. People want a nice, affordable, two-seat roadster. I think if a new Thunderbird is produced with Mustang drivetrains, better appointments, better safety and most of all an affordable price consumers will flock to it. Especially the baby boomers! Starting just $4-5k over the Mustangs for a base V6 Thunderbird Cruiser would seem right. Do you see baby boomers getting into Mazda Miatas? Not really, were I live the Thunderbirds & Mercedes SLKs are the most popular roadsters. Ford is missing an entire segment that it could quickly fulfill with modified existing powertrains and an absolute gold nameplate!

Take the drivetrain/chassis of a S197 Mustang, the skin and sumptuousness of the last T-Bird, give it some modern aggressiveness and make sure an MB SLK 350 is along to ensure proper execution and you'd have a heckova Thunderbird! (I'm going with 2-seat roadster, Ford has nothing in this segment and the original 55 was a 2-seater as well) Some names/ packages I've been fantasizing about: Thunderbird Cruiser - DT 3.5 DFI V6 Thunderbird Cruiser Sante Fe - TF V6 Thunderbird GT - 4.6 V8 Thunderbird GT Lightning - TF V8 Thunderbird Executor - (All black ext/int. w/nickel appts., menacing exhaust etc. (As in Lord Vaders' personal transportation)) (Ford I'll take a Cruiser in Skye Blue/ Parchment Leather interior with brushed nickel trim with all the bells & whistles!)

Ford should at least keep up with GM. At least for first owners. And what if Ford started the 5/100 warranty at first to loyalty customers?

Thanks Wescoent, that will be Plan B in case I get the funds before Ford gets the rollbars. I've seen that place before too, so it ain't too far to drive!

Actually, I don't ride anymore.... too many idiots on the road for my taste. If I even look at one I get the dope slap upside the back of my head! :o Well I hope he doesn't end up on my station, he'll get a lot more tubes than that! And if & when I get a Mustang, I don't plan on flipping it. However I can't speak for the drunk/ speed racer wanna-be. I just want to improve my odds.I also think Ford would recognize a rollbar as a selling point. How much you want to bet the new Camaro will have one? Agreed. There was one particular set that showed what happened when 1) drunk man got in the way of 1) 18-wheeler on the highway.They found most of him.

When I said pop-up rollbars, I wasn't exactly fixated on the idea of the pyrotechnically popping up type only. I think you have a valid point in Ford possibly outfitting their convertibles with fixed rollover bars. If done tastefully they can look perfectly acceptable. This is a pic of a Mercedes SLK 350....(which I think the next T-Bird should emulate) I think the rollbar looks perfectly proper in there! Ford can add either a non-glare black/ subdued finish to their rollbars, or even try a brushed aluminum. You're right, rollbars DO look purposeful in convertibles!

WOW! Realize not all rollovers are caused by the driver turning too fast. That's why they're called accidents! And it is not a bizarre request, not in the slightest. Otherwise Mercedes, BMW, Vovlo, VW are all bizarre? NOT!

Ummm, this line of thinking REALLY sounds like what got Ford into its current mess. They need to stay ahead of the competition, not gleefully manage to stay waaay behind. The people who don't care about vehicle specs usually ask knowledgeable folks for car buying advice. Are thos folks gonna recommend a lesser vehicle? PROBABLY NOT. I tell everyone I know my V-Dub Rabbit kicks butt (for the price), and I also tell everyone I know to check out the Fusion & Taurus.

I'm in the medical field. I have buddies that are EMT's/ Paramedics. They have cameras. Sometimes they get to the scene before the police do. They take pictures. They share pictures with me. I nearly barf. Accidents happen. I have even seen a car flip completely over in a 20 mph collision. So I love convertibles. Millions of people do. I love safety. Millions of people do too. I'm glad you've driven 41 years without an incident. Unfortunately, to me your attitude reminds me of those who thought seatbelts were a waste of time way back when. Today they are taken for granted and few people whine about them. Safety items are commonly bemoaned until, if you are fortunate enough to receive a second chance, one has a close call with death. Do you have to wait until this happens? 10 years ago I was struck by a drunk (& stoned) driver while on my motorcycle. The gouge on my helmet (that nearly went all the way through) told me enough that I thanked God for those who fought for helmet laws. All the high end manufacturers provide rollover protection for their convertibles: Mercedes, BMW, Audi, Saab, Lexus, Volvo... Is there some profound reason Ford isn't willing to emulate these successful brands? I would think Ford prefer counting these manufacturers as competition, as opposed to potential buyers automatically disregarding Ford products! As the buying public slowly realizes the importance of safety features, the addition of pop-up rollover safety systems become more & more prudent. I think Ford promoting the new Taurus as a safe vehicle indicates they are beginning to see the trend. It's time for Ford to stop losing sales by being cheap. I'd gladly pay a small premium in order to get inside a safe, convertible Mustang! (Same goes for new T-Bird!)

No, Electronic Skank Control really is needed here. Brother's in the bizz, he met her at a party. She really is a drunk skank according to her actions. Pity

If it would require new dealerships, I'd say it wouldn't work. If this new fleet marquee could be sold from within existing Ford dealerships, as is Scion in the Toyota dealerships, and not in a stand alone dealerships... I'd say it's an idea worth investigation. Name? Constance, Endurance, Reliance Motors?

Found out about a folding hardtop prototype that [of course] didn't make it to production. Check out these pictures fellas.......... oh what could have been! This prototype was manufactured by Valmet Automotive of Finland.

I buy my cars based on a matrix of priorities. #1 is safety #2 is reliability #3 is economy #4 is performance #5 is practicality The Ford Taurus will likely be my next family hauler, maybe the Flex. Ain't getting nowhere near the lesser vehicles from other manufacturers. My last purchase was the VW Rabbit for my wife & childrens' about-the-town needs. Focus safety and Corolla safety were both lacking. We went with what was safest. In 4-5 years the Rabbit will be up for sale. Unfortunately, Ford has decided to shoot both left feet by whittling down the Focus program...... I only hope that move was a preparation for bringing in the Euro-spec/ global Focus in a few years time! I'd love to buy American, when and only when Ford/GM loves me! Safety is my main priority. Mileage isn't everything! Otherwise we'd be knee deep in Yarii & Civics, which we aren't. Well,............. except maybe in Berkeley.

The nose seems a bit big. However I like the body stretch. I can see these as small limo's or high end taxi's (like you see at the airports). I think the modified grill is more for sport versions than a stretched version.

I agree with Mackintire's ideas here. The engine & trans sound good. As long as there's room for a NA and/or Twinforce 4-banger too for those that don't need to tow much. (I understand turbo's aren't ideal for towing?) I also think the interior needs to be top notch. The current Ranger's seats are too low and the center seat area isn't well thought out. The Dakota's had better interiors. Also, there needs to be decent ergonomics and all the modern bells & whistles. Power rear window too. 5-star safety rating is also a must. Small business owners have been waiting for this! I also like the idea of naming it the Ranger F-100, so everyday folks would call it a Ranger but the F-Series association would remain. Ex: RANGER F-100 XLT or RANGER F-100 Eddie Bauer etc. People would mentally skip over the F-100 part but it would help sustain Ford's leadership in Truck sales overall.

If the Mustang has 4 seats, the Thunderbird should have 2 seats. Aside from nostalgia, I can't see Ford developing a parallel vehicle with just a couple of differences. I can see Mercury doing something unique with the S197 chassis though, as they currently do not utilize it. Lincoln's MKR seems to be made for this segment as well. The original Thunderbird, and I think the most iconic Thunderbird, was a 2-seat roadster. The Thunderbird should be a roadster capable of providing a magnificant, sumptuous ride as well as spirited performance when called for. I would so absolutely freakin' love a cruiser with just enough American retro touches to remind me I'm driving a legend but still be built on a state-of-the-art chassis that was rock solid in performance as well as safety. Watchdevil's comment about a fully retractable hardtop is spot-on too. The Thunderbird should compete (and give nightmares to) BMW Z4 & Mercedes SLKs! The Thunderbird GT should match up against the base Corvette and the Thunderbird Lightning should take on the Corvette ZO6! You can think of one as a 'grown-up' Miata. The T-Bird I envision would be so hot and such a fantastic execution of American prowess that you'll end up seeing them on the Hot Rod shows and being sought after everywhere. Ford did it before, I think they could do it again.