2005 Ford Thunderbird

* New exterior colors: Bronze and Medium Steel Blue (replacing Merlot, Vintage Mint Green and Light Ice Blue Metallic)
* New partial interior color packages: Medium Steel Blue and Torch Red
* New style aluminum appliqué trim on doors and center stack
* Seatback map pockets

Ford unveiled the first Thunderbird Oct. 22, 1954. The 2005 model marks the 50th anniversary of the legendary convertible.

Thunderbird continues to deliver a unique combination of American 'relaxed sportiness,' balancing performance with touring comfort. This two-seat, rear-wheel-drive, V-8 convertible roadster's combination of heritage styling and modern convenience continues to attract new buyers to Ford showrooms.

Thunderbird is built in Wixom, Mich.

Thunderbird comes standard as a convertible and offers an optional removable top with classic porthole windows. The removable top weighs 83 pounds for easy removal and installation.

A secure pin-and-bolt system at the two front attachment points, plus two clamps at the rear, connect the removable top to the car. The two-place interior reflects the exterior design and the car's romantic heritage with bold style, combined with the comfort and convenience that today's customers demand.

Thunderbird is in a class by itself as a 107.2-inch wheelbase rear-wheel-drive roadster with a smooth, free-breathing 3.9-liter V-8 engine.

Ride and handling are specially tuned, and structural braces under the car enhance the chassis rigidity, giving the roadster world-class driving dynamics.

Design and Equipment

The 2005 Thunderbird echoes the relaxed look of the original in a distinctly modern interpretation. Key design elements include the classic egg-crate grille found on the 1955-57 Thunderbirds and a hood scoop reminiscent of the 1961 model.

At 6.9 cubic feet, Thunderbird's fully lined trunk is spacious enough for two sets of golf clubs. A soft vinyl boot is available to cover the black, woven soft-top when it's down.

Inside, Thunderbird provides a comfortable environment for its occupants. The black instrument panel is highlighted with bright accent colors and aluminum appliqués.

The center stack flows out of the instrument panel with a sculpted line that creates a waterfall effect leading to the console. The standard interior has black leather-seating surfaces. A color-coordinated theme is optional for those who want to accent the interior and exterior colors.

The Light Sand appearance package continues for 2005. This package includes a Light Sand color applied to the convertible top, full seats, steering wheel, shift knob and optional soft boot. This package also features bronze metallic tinted appliqués on the instrument panel, door trim, center stack, shifter bezel and scuff plates. Light Sand is also applied to the floor mat edging complemented by cream-colored instrument cluster gauges.

Powertrain

The 2005 Thunderbird is powered by a 3.9-liter, 32-valve DOHC V-8 aluminum engine that uses variable cam timing. This improves engine performance, power and fuel economy.

The 3.9-liter delivers 280 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 286 pound-feet of torque at 4,000 rpm. The engine features coil-on-plug ignition with platinum-tipped spark plugs, lightweight, low-friction pistons and dual exhaust. The Thunderbird is available with an optional SelectShift automatic transmission that allows drivers to command gear changes similar to a conventional manual transmission, but without the clutch. The transmission features a one-piece die-cast aluminum case for reduced weight.

Safety

Thunderbird comes equipped with driver and passenger front and side air bags, making it the first Ford convertible to come equipped with combination head-and-chest side air bags.

Thunderbird features a number of standard safety attributes. Among them are the SecuriLock™ anti-theft system, the Smart Locks system, the LATCH system, the perimeter alarm with an LED indicator and Ford's glow-in-the-dark emergency trunk release handle, which enables a person trapped in the trunk to open it from the inside.

Major Equipment and Options

The Thunderbird comes standard with a power-retractable convertible top, four-wheel independent suspension, anti-lock brakes, all-speed traction control, Homelink®, leather-wrapped, power-tilt steering wheel, power mirrors and windows, AM/FM stereo with in-dash six-disc CD with clock, audiophile sound system, center console with storage, cup holders, keyless entry, six-way power driver's seat, two-way power passenger seat, SecuriLock™, speed control, dual vanity mirrors, dual driver and passenger automatic temperature control, leather-trimmed bucket seats and second-generation air bags for driver and passenger.

Premium adds: Seven-spoke, 17-inch chrome wheels or optional 17-inch 16-spoke micro-machined aluminum wheels, along with heated driver

Source - Ford

Ford Thunderbird, a true American icon, celebrates its golden Anniversary with a special 50th Anniversary Thunderbird, limited-edition colors, and commemorative badge for all 2005 models. The 50th Anniversary Limited Edition Thunderbird will be unveiled to media attending the South Florida International Auto Show in Miami, FL.

Production of this special edition model with exclusive Cashmere color, which begins in January 2005, will be limited to 1,500 units.

'The 50th Anniversary Limited Edition Thunderbird builds upon the car's rich heritage - which began with the classic, two-seater 1955 model,' said Steve Lyons, president of Ford Division. 'This special edition adds to the emotional attachment that America has with Thunderbird, an attachment that has been 50 years in the making.'

In addition to the 50th Anniversary Limited Edition, Ford is unveiling two surprise colors available on upcoming 2005 Thunderbirds: Inca Gold and Bronze. For 2005, all Thunderbirds feature a 50th Anniversary commemorative fender chevron.

Based on the top-of-the-line Thunderbird premium, the commemorative 50th Anniversary Thunderbird features a gorgeous Cashmere tri-coat metallic paint with matching removable top and Medium Light Stone cloth convertible top and soft boot. 16-spoke, 17-inch wheels with Cashmere accented hub ring match the Cashmere paint.

New coordinated Cashmere, Stone and Soft Gold interior packages include full leather Cashmere seats, and Cashmere trimmed lower instrument panel, floor console and door armrests. An understated Soft Gold tinted 50th Anniversary badge will be placed on the instrument panel, and 50th Anniversary insignias are embossed on the seatbacks. The scuff plates also are tinted Soft Gold. Each vehicle will feature a numbered commemorative plaque mounted on the inside of the glove box. The steering wheel and shift knob will be trimmed with high gloss Cashmere accents. Stone colored carpets with matching floor mats complete the interior.

'The 50th Anniversary special edition is very elegant and emphasizes the calm, cool and collectible nature that is Thunderbird,' said Lyons.

Thunderbird Enthusiasts 'Drive-in' to Celebrate

Thunderbird enthusiasts will kick-off the Thunderbird's 50th birthday celebration at Homestead Miami Speedway on Nov. 17 in conjunction with a Ford Racing Innovation Drive. The Ford Racing Innovation Drive has been reaching consumers nationwide during a tour that features Ford's spectacular new 2005 model year vehicle line-up. Consumers as well as Thunderbird enthusiasts have been invited to attend the drive as it comes to Miami this November. After Thunderbird enthusiasts enjoy the hands-on experience of Ford's new product they will then be directed to the raceway's infield for a private Thunderbird Anniversary party.

Reflecting on 50 years of heritage for the Thunderbird, club members from across the country will enjoy a trip back to the boppin' fifties with the spirit of the classic hamburger stand and drive-in movie theater. Ford, will construct a unique drive-in theater at the race track and show one of the most famous movies to star the Ford Thunderbird - American Graffiti.

The 2005 Ford Thunderbird will have a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $37,605 and the special edition 50th Anniversary Thunderbird of $43,535, both without destination and delivery charges.

Ford Thunderbird went on sale Oct. 22, 1954 marking the birth of a new legend that would grow with each generation of Thunderbird cars. Previous special-edition Thunderbirds have proven highly desirable. In 2002, Ford offered 200 special-edition Thunderbird vehicles for sale through the exclusive Neiman Marcus Christmas Book. Those 200 cars sold out in two hours and 15 minutes and are considered highly prized collector's items.

In the spring of 2003, Ford sold 700 limited edition '007' Ford Thunderbirds to commemorate the first appearance of a Thunderbird in the 40-year history of the James Bond film franchise. A '007' Edition was driven in the Bond film Die Another Day by Academy Award-winning actress Halle Berry. One thousand Pacific Coast Roadster Thunderbirds were sold in 2004.

Source - Ford