The Ford Motor Company is the sole manufacturer of the Thunderbird car. Introduced for the 1955 model year, the Ford Thunderbird was created as a personal luxury car to compete with Chevrolet's Corvette, though it emphasized comfort over outright sports performance. The model had a long and storied production history, spanning eleven distinct generations until its final discontinuation in 2005. While there were rumors of a revival, Ford has not produced a new Thunderbird for nearly two decades.
The Thunderbird's history can be segmented into several key eras. The early "classic" Thunderbirds (1955-1957) are the iconic two-seaters, often called "Little Birds." From 1958 onward, the car evolved into a larger, four-seat luxury coupe and convertible. Its most radical change came in the 1970s, where it grew into a much larger vehicle reflective of that decade's design trends. The 1980s and 1990s saw a return to a more aerodynamic, mid-size design. The final generation, launched in 2002, was a retro-styled two-seater that paid homage to the original models.
For a quick overview of its major production periods, here is a timeline:
| Generation / Model Year | Key Characteristics | Body Style |
|---|
| First Gen (1955-1957) | Iconic two-seater "Little Bird" | Convertible, Removable Hardtop |
| Second Gen (1958-1960) | Introduced rear seats, larger body | Convertible, Hardtop Coupe |
| Fourth Gen (1964-1966) | Sleek "projectile" design | Convertible, Hardtop Coupe |
| Tenth Gen (1989-1997) | Aerodynamic "aero-bird" styling | Coupe |
| Eleventh Gen (2002-2005) | Retro-inspired two-seater | Convertible |
Today, the Thunderbird is exclusively a classic car. Ownership now means finding a well-maintained used model or undertaking a restoration project. The values, especially for the first-generation cars and certain special editions, have appreciated significantly, making them cherished collectibles.
