Should Ford Cobraize the Thunderbird?

RallySnake · #1 (**permalink**) 04-22-2003, 11:55 AM

You've probably all heard the news today, Ford's going to pull the plug on the new Thunderbird. What would it take to make it sell well?

My thoughts are the price is too high and it doesn't have the performance to compete in the sports car field. It really only appeals to women.

I think it looks pretty good and I like the removable top. Would it do better with flared fenders full of big meats and a serious engine? You know, more like a Cobra?

Paul

flipper35 · #2 (**permalink**) 04-22-2003, 12:19 PM

I think too many people expect too much from the car. Marketing didn't help either. They get mad if you mention retro and this car together. The Marauder did't sell well at all, and I think a lot of that had to do with lack of perceived performance, I mean a Honda Accord would out run it. If it had a Supercharged Cobra R motor, either car would be a better seller.

I have not ridden in a T-bird, but I hear the ride and handling are more like an older Buick and I think people are looking for BMW/Mercedes/Lexus ride performance.

The looks are fine, but Boyd Cottington's version looked a LOT better.

A T-bird that drives like an M3. . . I would seriously look at.

weekendwarrior · #3 (**permalink**) 04-22-2003, 12:45 PM

It need a stick IMHO.

warrior

Tongue Pirate · #4 (**permalink**) 04-22-2003, 12:57 PM

I personally couldn't believe the sticker price. Why so much?
Then the design? Well...less than spectacular. If you're going to re-do a classic you had better line your ducks up well! The wheels? Who in the H... would want a set of wheels that had the sole purpose of looking 15yrs out of date & uglier than almost anywheel ever made. Looks like they just drew up a wheel for temporary purposes & forgot about it or ran short on the shedule so they bypassed it all together. let's just chrome it! American automobile designers have to be the worst in the world these days? Remember when we were one of the leaders in auto design? What happened? O.K., I'm done ranting...Next!

Roscoe · #5 (**permalink**) 04-22-2003, 01:02 PM

Ol Shel will probably sue the pants off of Ford.

Roscoe

James Baldwin · #6 (**permalink**) 04-22-2003, 01:08 PM

In my opinion, the biggest problem was the price... At best, it is a $30K car but certainly no $40K+ car.

Also, they made the major mistake of launching it after the sizzle was over. Many people, my wife included, watched the car for two+ years before it ever came out. And when it finally hit the market, everyone was use to seeing it and it was no longer cutting edge enough to warrant $40K+.

Hopefully Ford has learned from the experience and will realize they need to push the envelope a bit more (i.e. the new Cougar concept, the Ford 427 Sedan, etc..)

Tongue Pirate · #7 (**permalink**) 04-22-2003, 01:08 PM

Anyone order the new Ford GT?

CSX 4027 · #8 (**permalink**) 04-22-2003, 01:27 PM

It was a great idea but the reality was marginal.
The t-bird was an icon back in '55 because of it's unique styling and V-8 motor. American cars were not that small and were not that sexy back then. The new bird was set out as the same type of cruiser only todays drivers don't spend on low performance cruisers. A lot of people remember fondly the '59 Caddy but, driving one now would be like.....well you know. The t-bird was perfectly designed to plan. The only problem was getting the public to like the plan..... which didn't happen. Remember the Buick Reatta? Similar kind of car and failed attempt.

RallySnake · #9 (**permalink**) 04-22-2003, 01:33 PM

If Ford has developed the 427 V-10 that was supposed to go in that ugly (IMHO) concept car enough to be produced in quantity, it could be a savior for the T-Bird. Yeah, 590 horsepower and M3 handling could make it disirable. Then, they could do driver's school days like Mazda did with their new car to stimulate some interest.

Paul

Tongue Pirate · #10 (**permalink**) 04-22-2003, 01:34 PM

I just sold my 59 cad coupe deVille to make room for the cobra. let me tell you...not really a driving adventure unless you're crusing out on the open road! That monster had no cornering ability. Of course if that is what you are after you would have the wrong car! It was a great car for me. I hope it has a good life with the new owner!

B. SMITH · #11 (**permalink**) 04-22-2003, 05:03 PM

UNFORTUNATELY FORD VIOLATED ALMOST EVERY MARKETING STRATEGY POSSIBLE, INCLUDING PRICE POINT, AS NOTED.

THE BIGGEST SOURCE OF DISAGREEMENT IS THE CAR ITSELF, SAY OWNERS THAT I HAVE TALKED TO.

NUMBER 1 IS THE INCOMPLETE APPEARANCE, FRONT AND REAR. EVEN WOMEN OWNERS HAVE CORRECTLY STATED THAT IT APPEARED AS IF PARTS WERE PLANNED TO BE ATTACHED BUT SOMEONE CHANGED THEIR MIND. WHAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE THERE ?????

EQUALLY PUZZLING IS THE POWER CHOICE. A LITTLE RESEARCH IN THE CLASSIC CAR MARKET SHOULD HAVE SHOWN FORD THAT MUSCLE SELLS. THEY COULD HAVE MADE IT STRONG THUS IRRESISTABLE TO MANY BUYERS WHO PASSED. INSTEAD THEY PLAGUED THE CAR WITH ANEMIA ???????

HALF A JOB DOESN'T WORK ANYMORE. I HOPE THEY DON'T MAKE THE SAME MISTAKES WITH THAT BEAUTIFUL RE-VAMPED MUSTANG DUE OUT SOON BUT FORD STILL HAS TIME TO SCREW THAT UP TOO !!!

I HOPE THEY WISE UP, B. SMITH

Aussie Mike · #12 (**permalink**) 04-22-2003, 05:23 PM

Quote:

I just sold my 59 cad coupe deVille to make room for the cobra. let me tell you...not really a driving adventure unless you're crusing out on the open road! That monster had no cornering ability. Of course if that is what you are after you would have the wrong car! It was a great car for me. I hope it has a good life with the new owner!

Selling a 59 Coupe DeVille would make room for 2 Cobras, those land barges are huge!!

Cool Car though, I've always lusted after the 59 Caddy.

Cheers

casaleenie · #13 (**permalink**) 04-22-2003, 05:46 PM

I love it .... I tried to do the A-plan thing this year but they were only allowing the left over 02's to go out on the plan... I've been bugging them to turn a bunch over to the SVT dept. to see what would happen... It's a toss up for me on the up and coming Mustang or the T-bird... The fact that they are possibly discontinuing the T-bird makes it even more appealing...

.02 cents.

Excaliber · #14 (**permalink**) 04-22-2003, 05:56 PM

40K plus???? I had no idea they cost that much. They look great, but man, 40K??? No way they worth that kind of money.

,,,,,and waddya mean you can't get a stick? Whats up with that?

Ernie

PSB · #15 (**permalink**) 04-22-2003, 06:14 PM

What would it take to make it sell well?

One thing - a reasonable price!!!

Pete

aumoore · #16 (**permalink**) 04-22-2003, 06:24 PM

I agree the t-bird needs more power and the wheels are ugly but most al production cars need a little personalization. All Cobra replicas are not shod with Halibrands and some even have stock 302 motors. Now that the buzz is off on the t-bird you can now buy one for a discount and with the money you save you can add your own wheels, drop a supercharger in the engine bay and lower the suspension with proper shocks and sway bars.

Here is a good example

Tongue Pirate · #17 (**permalink**) 04-22-2003, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Aussie Mike

Selling a 59 Coupe DeVille would make room for 2 Cobras, those land barges are huge!!

Cool Car though, I've always lusted after the 59 Caddy.

Cheers

The funny thing is that I bought a house with a 1937 Garage & the Cadillac actually fit in it. Barely! I mean there were only inches of clearance on the door & almost no room to move around the car once inside the garage. It will be nice to have room to work while having the car in the garage. I'll have an extra 6'!!!

Blue66 · #18 (**permalink**) 04-22-2003, 08:57 PM

Is kinda pricey... BUT if they put a Cobra motor in it I would be interested

Dan

panz · #19 (**permalink**) 04-22-2003, 09:46 PM

I happen to own one. had it since july of 2001, one of the first out of the plant. pricey...matter of opinion...fast...it's ok...quality...as good as anything else out there for 40k...get looks...absolutely...happy...without a doubt. they're going to continue to build them until 2005...so they may not be too bad of an investment, and by the way, they're fun to drive but not as much fun as my spf cobra BB. just my 2 cents

decooney · #20 (**permalink**) 04-23-2003, 01:44 AM

A few years back I saw the 1st prototype being trailered in to Pebble Beach on a flatbed in time for the pre-show at Concourse De'Elegance. I guess I was hoping to see something really cool...

It catches your eye for the first 10 seconds... and then when you start looking at it closer, nothing really jumps out at you. To me, its almost like a car that is looking for some sort of missing characteristics that would hopefully make you say "Wow, its a Thunderbird". I never found myself saying that...

It's sort of like they started out to run marathon and fell down 50 yards short of the finishline. Now, when it came to the new Ford GT, the right designers and approvers were obviously assigned to that project.

IMHO, it's like anything else... if you are going to go through the trouble to get something going, don't hold back do it right the first time! If an automobile does not look good in just about every color, you know right then and there it's days will be numbered.