T-bird returns as a sedan?

[Edstock]

A $165 setback for a decent set of snow tires is not enough deterrant for the 8 months of superior handling that RWD offers.

Of course! That's why RWD rules WRC.

[jpd80]

GRWD had it's beginnings in 2001. Respectfully you are incorrect.

Yeah but which one are you talking about?

 

The GRWD project I'm talking about was commenced in late 2007 with only preliminary work done by FoA as lead engineers.

 

The original GRWD was started at Ford 2000 in 1994 and quickly fell apart due to the cost of the DEW platform being too high for Falcon, Mustang and Crown Victoria. Only Jaguar and Lincoln teams took it up and Mustang team heavily revised the floor pan for their new mustang.

 

The cars that resulted from that were DEW based Jaguars and Lincoln LS

that you saw in the late 1990s and early/mid 2000s.

 

I believe there was a brief review done in 2001 after Nasser had acquired Volvo and formed PAG but it was short lived because those manufacturers already had product plans well in place...

Edited March 14, 2010 by jpd80

[Ovaltine]

Here's why the T-Bird needs to remain a RWD, 2-door, 4 passenger coupe/hardtop:

 

 

That rear end / taillights were the best. One of the most distinctive looks on the road.

 

 

My first car was a '72 'Bird. 429cid, bullet muffler dual exhaust, maroon with a white top. I received many compliments on that car, and have many fond memories of it.

 

-Ovaltine

Edited March 15, 2010 by Ovaltine

[calypsocoral]

Here's why the T-Bird needs to remain a RWD, 2-door, 4 passenger coupe/hardtop:

 

 

That rear end / taillights were the best. One of the most distinctive looks on the road.

 

 

My first car was a '72 'Bird. 429cid, bullet muffler dual exhaust, maroon with a white top. I received many compliments on that car, and have many fond memories of it.

 

-Ovaltine

 

 

Nothing personal, man, but I remember those cars being the things that little old ladies drove when I was a kid. Those, Cadillac Cimmarons, DeVilles, and Chrysler Cordobas.

 

Anyway, back to topic, if Ford wants a 4-door RWD sport sedan, I say it's time to bring back the name Gran Torino, which was Ford's answer to the Dodge Charger back in the day (mid-size coupe segment).

 

That gives Ford an iconic name (thanks to Clint Eastwood) for a badass 4-door, whilst leaving open the possibility of using the Thunderbird name the way it was intended-- as a 2-seat, RWD, turbo'd-4 ROADSTER!

[Noah Harbinger]

That gives Ford an iconic name (thanks to Clint Eastwood)

 

You're gonna have to help me out here...

[MN12Fan]

Hmm. Wescoent's word gets around...slowly. That quote at TheMustangSource refers to a post of Wescoent's at GMI from two months ago. I thought it looked familiar when I saw it because I remember asking Wescoent about the platform sharing myself -- but not at TheMustangSource. Here's what he said in its original context for those interested (from post #153+):

 

http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f37/then-there-one-end-road-ford-falcon-mulally-87886/index11.html

Edited March 15, 2010 by MN12Fan

[blksn8k2]

You're gonna have to help me out here...

 

I think he's referring to the recent Eastwood movie of the same name.

 

Actually, the Torino name came about as an upscale trim level of the Ford Fairlane midsize car in 1968. It was available on all body styles including the four-door sedan. In later model years the Fairlane name was dropped completely and all midsize models were called Torino. Introduced in 1962, the Fairlane was actually one of the first "midsize" models from any US manufacturer and predated models such as the Chevelle and Charger by several model years.

[NickF1011]

There is no more logical or better name for a new RWD 4-door than Falcon. KISS, folks. KISS.

[Ford Jellymoulds]

There is no more logical or better name for a new RWD 4-door than Falcon. KISS, folks. KISS.

 

RWD Cortina/Taunus used to be the best 2/4 door selling car No1 in Europe for most of its production life, now we have the Mondeo that sells bugger all here.

[NickF1011]

RWD Cortina/Taunus used to be the best 2/4 door selling car No1 in Europe for most of its production life, now we have the Mondeo that sells bugger all here.

 

1. What does that have to do with the American RWD fullsize sedan market?

2. None of those names mean anything in North America.

[Ford Jellymoulds]

1. What does that have to do with the American RWD fullsize sedan market?

2. None of those names mean anything in North America.

 

How many Falcons did yo buy last month Stateside NONE.

 

Ford sold five more times RWD Falcons down under last month with a population of 21 million, than Ford sold FWD Mondeo's in the UK which is the biggest market for the Mundane the UK population is three times bigger 62 million.

 

By rights Ford should be axing the FWD Mundane in the UK, bringing the RWD Falcon here instead. But instead the poor Mundane numbers will be hidden behind FOE and propped up by superb Fiesta sales numbers, just like in the US the Classic F-Series props up North American car sales.

[chiefstang]

RWD Cortina/Taunus used to be the best 2/4 door selling car No1 in Europe for most of its production life, now we have the Mondeo that sells bugger all here.

 

Jesus, Jelly. How do you STILL do this in EVERY thread?

 

I think we need to have an evaluation done... For your own safety, of course!

Edited March 15, 2010 by chiefstang

[NickF1011]

How many Falcons did yo buy last month Stateside NONE.

 

Ford sold five more times RWD Falcons down under last month with a population of 21 million, than Ford sold FWD Mondeo's in the UK which is the biggest market for the Mundane the UK population is three times bigger 62 million.

 

By rights Ford should be axing the FWD Mundane in the UK, bringing the RWD Falcon here instead. But instead the poor Mundane numbers will be hidden behind FOE and propped up by superb Fiesta sales numbers, just like in the US the Classic F-Series props up North American car sales.

 

What we bought here is irrelevant. People here actually remember the Falcon name plate here. Cortina and Taunus are but mere footnotes to America's Ford shoppers. And enough with the freaking Mondeo already. NOW. This thread is NOT about the UK market OR the Mondeo and it's NOT going to be.

[Ford Jellymoulds]

Jesus, Jelly. How do you STILL do this in EVERY thread?

 

I think we need to have an evaluation done... For your own safety, of course!

 

Ford's smaller FWD Escort followed the Cortina being Europes No1 best selling car every 7 years on a trot keeping the Golf of Europes top spot.

 

Ford have not had a No1 best seller in Europe ever since the Escort, the Mundane Mondeo never makes it into Europes top ten never ever, nor does anything else that has boring dull bland Mondeo styling funny that, Fiesta is the best we have in Europe at the moment its No2 best seller just behind the Golf in Europe.

 

I want Ford to produce sales winners, be No1 in Europe again there is FA wrong with that?

 

FWD Mundane Mondeo is not a WINNER compared to Ford cars that come become before it, the Focus that replaced the Escort has not done the 7 times No1 best selling car 7 years on a trot in Europe like the Escort 20,000,000 sales king for FOE once did.

Edited March 15, 2010 by Ford Jellymoulds

[atvman]

The Mondeo's saving grace will be the Fusion. Ford sells Fusions in huge volume over here, and the Fusion and Mondeo are slated to share structures in 2012 or 2013.

[Pioneer]

The Mondeo's saving grace will be the Fusion.

 

IMHO, you have it backwards. The Mondeo's styling will hopefully be utilised as the world standard, like the Focus and Fiesta. It will then be a true competitor to the Accord and Camry.

[FordBuyer]

With today's technology and proper tires, modern RWD handles nearly as well as FWD in winter weather. I am a recent convert to RWD and have had no problems getting around this winter with nothing more than a couple Winterforce tires on the back. A $165 setback for a decent set of snow tires is not enough deterrant for the 8 months of superior handling that RWD offers.

 

I totally disagree with your statement. Traction control helps, but RWD vehicle is still a handful on snow and ice. And I'm not talking about putting on snow tires either as I just go with all season tires on my FWD Taurus and no problem on most snow surfaces unless of course it's real deep. I pull away from stop light much quicker than any RWD vehicle even if it has traction control. No weight over drive wheels is never good when on slick surfaces traction control or not. And AWD comes with fuel and cost penalty. Another big advantage of FWD is much lower front profile since engine is mounted sideways giving much better aerodynamics and highway fuel mileage. With modern technology, FWD biased vehicles like the Taurus SHO can take on anyone.

[rmc523]

How many Falcons did yo buy last month Stateside NONE.

 

Ford sold five more times RWD Falcons down under last month with a population of 21 million, than Ford sold FWD Mondeo's in the UK which is the biggest market for the Mundane the UK population is three times bigger 62 million.

 

By rights Ford should be axing the FWD Mundane in the UK, bringing the RWD Falcon here instead. But instead the poor Mundane numbers will be hidden behind FOE and propped up by superb Fiesta sales numbers, just like in the US the Classic F-Series props up North American car sales.

 

The difference is Falcon is actually related to the topic at hand.

[NickF1011]

the Mundane Mondeo never makes it into Europes top ten never ever,

 

Neither does any other midsize sedan.

 

End of discussion. Further references to Mondeo by you will be edited from this thread.

[Fgts]

 

 

Ford needs to go a 4-door route for the T-bird, here some reasons.

 

1. The retro 2-seat crap didn't work in 04'

 

2. Other then a Mustard, Ford is not making a 4-seat coupe....ever, were lucky to get a 'Stang based Cougar back at the most.

 

3. Like or not Ford needs a rwd sport sedan(s). Even if they making money off the D-3/Fusion based vehicales and BOF trucks the other 2 domestic and import competion offers a rwd sport sedan.

[one2gamble]

 

 

Ford needs to go a 4-door route for the T-bird, here some reasons.

 

1. The retro 2-seat crap didn't work in 04'

 

 

 

It didnt work because it was a slow semi poorly build cruiser. There isnt a market for that. They needed to define the cars purpose better than they did.

[AGR]

 

 

Ford needs to go a 4-door route for the T-bird, here some reasons.

 

1. The retro 2-seat crap didn't work in 04'

 

2. Other then a Mustard, Ford is not making a 4-seat coupe....ever, were lucky to get a 'Stang based Cougar back at the most.

 

3. Like or not Ford needs a rwd sport sedan(s). Even if they making money off the D-3/Fusion based vehicales and BOF trucks the other 2 domestic and import competion offers a rwd sport sedan.

Yes, it needs to be a 4-door "coupe" like the M-B CLS or Volkswagen CC. The two door market, aside from sports cars and 2 door compacts, is mostly DOA. And it's not like there hasn't been a 4 door T-Bird in the past.

[ibinubu12]

2- Doors would work, Thunderbird was a 2-door coupe until its first death in '97. Take the Taurus' aggressiveness, kick it up a notch, go along the route of the E-Class: Sedan and 2-Door Coupe. 4-Door is Taurus, more aggressive 2-Door is Thunderbird.

[FordBuyer]

 

 

Ford needs to go a 4-door route for the T-bird, here some reasons.

 

1. The retro 2-seat crap didn't work in 04'

 

2. Other then a Mustard, Ford is not making a 4-seat coupe....ever, were lucky to get a 'Stang based Cougar back at the most.

 

3. Like or not Ford needs a rwd sport sedan(s). Even if they making money off the D-3/Fusion based vehicales and BOF trucks the other 2 domestic and import competion offers a rwd sport sedan.

 

The Mustang is really a 2+2 sport coupe, and I wouldn't want to be the one sitting in back seat of Mustang. I would like to see Ford do something like the 1958 T-Bird and a convertible also like 1958. A distinct 4 seater with great performance. And affordable plus great fuel mileage using Ecoboost.

[FordBuyer]

Yes, it needs to be a 4-door "coupe" like the M-B CLS or Volkswagen CC. The two door market, aside from sports cars and 2 door compacts, is mostly DOA. And it's not like there hasn't been a 4 door T-Bird in the past.

 

I would vote for 2 dr., 4dr., and convertible. And make it affordable so that Ford could sell at least 40,000 of them/year. None of these super low volume vehicles like Lincoln does. Ford is for the masses.