2002 Ford Thunderbird
Ford revived more than an American icon when it boldly resurrected its unique Thunderbird sports/personal car for 2002. It also, as events would have it, reprised an historic Motor Trend Car of the Year win. Our forefathers here named the '58 T-Bird-the first of the larger, four-seat versions-as Car of the Year, hailing "the overall concept...that combines safety with performance and comfort with compactness." For 2002, we're happy to bestow that honor again, recognizing today's Thunderbird for how it combines heritage with modernity and pleasure with practicality.
The Thunderbird combines design features from early Thunderbirds, including the original 1955-57 two-seater and the 1961-63 bullet bird. Many of the styling cues are there to label this car as a retro or throwback, yet Ford doesn't describe the 2002 Thunderbird as a replica, or retro, because it has so much modern equipment in it, on it and underneath it. This example has 119,807 miles, presenting all nice and clean, and with the convertible up or down and an included hardtop with the porthole window from 1956. A nice leather interior, factory AM/FM/CD changer radio, and totally sporty looks, time to leave the kids to their electronic devices and go for a cruise.
Exterior
With nicely rounded panels sporting hints of the styling from the earlier 1955 birds, we see straight steel panels bathed in Whisper White paint...shhhhh! There are scratches and a few dings throughout, but nothing out of the ordinary from the usual usage one would pick up over time. Round headlights with a nice shiny top bezel, flank an oval chromed egg crate grille, again reminiscent of days and models of yore. A scoop for the hood, and wide shiny highly polished front window trimming fronts the hardtop mounted on for the pictures. This has the iconic porthole window, is body matching Whisper White, and can be easily removed and stored for convertible motoring. Certainly not the jet engines from the 60's birds, but nicely rounded inset taillights and a body matching bumper below. 17-inch multi spoke fan style wheels are on all 4 corners.
Interior
With a swing of the stylish doors we can note Midnight Black leather seats with black inserts. The leather seats are holding up well with age appropriate wear and are firmly planted within black vinyl tubs. Otherwise, seats are nice and clean, and have plenty of padded supports. Up the center races a sporty console in black, armrest, cupholders and the shift lever are seen here. Upfront the dash is all original with the original AM/FM/CD changer installed in the center of the dash. A black glossy shift knob, steering wheel, and white faces gauges break up some of the matte black that the dash is made up of. All clean overall with nice black carpet on the floors and the headliner for the hardtop is like new as is the convertible top hidden from view of the photos.
Drivetrain
A 3.9 Liter dual overhead cam V8 sits within a clean engine bay. This is attached to a 5R55N 5-speed automatic transmission that shifts quietly and smoothly transferring power to a 3.58 geared rear axle in conventional form... (speak softly and carry a big stick!)
Undercarriage
A few splatters of road dirt, patina, and spots of surface rust but otherwise clean and surface rust free. Independent Macpherson strut suspension is on all 4 corners as are power disc brakes. The factory dual exhaust system is noted with surface rust from stem to stern.
Drive-Ability
As one would expect from the exterior and interior appearance, this bird fired right up, and performed well on the test track. Smooth acceleration, straight bias free braking, and good cornering capabilities. All functions were working just swimmingly.
A first-year reintroduction Bird with some nifty aluminum wheels, in Whisper White, with a hardtop attachment. A classic inspired but newly designed T-Bird, throwing us back to the two seat days, convertible top and hardtop, and nice leather with plenty of convenience options. It's time to relive the personal car of distinction lifestyle!
VIN DECODE
1FAHP60AX2Y119047
1-USA
F-Ford Motor Company
A-Passenger Car
H-Active Belts, Front & Side Airbags
P60-Thunderbird
A-3.9L DOHC V8
X-Check Digit
2-2002
Y-Wixom Mi Assy Plant
119047-Sequential Unit Number
