September 7, 1954 – Ford Thunderbird production begins

The Ford Thunderbird began production on this day in 1954 for the 1955 model year. Learn more about the Tbird in this automotive history lesson.

On September 7, 1954, an iconic chapter in automotive history was written as Ford Thunderbird production commenced. This marked Ford’s response to Chevrolet’s Corvette, with the Thunderbird destined to become a symbol of American automotive excellence. The first complete Thunderbird rolled off the assembly line just two days later, setting the stage for a remarkable journey.

Unlike the Corvette, which was squarely positioned as a sports car, Ford took a different approach with the Thunderbird. They marketed it as a personal luxury vehicle, emphasizing its comfort and convenience features. Ford believed that customers would discover its sporty side during test drives, and this strategy proved to be a game-changer. In 1955, Thunderbird sales soared, outselling the Corvette by a staggering 17 to 1.

Although the two-seater Thunderbird enjoyed continued success through 1957, Ford’s ambitious executives had bigger plans. Robert McNamara, an executive at Ford, believed that expanding the Thunderbird’s seating capacity from two to four would significantly boost its sales. Once again, Ford’s decision hit the mark. While the first-generation Thunderbird sold around 60,000 units between 1955 and 1957, the introduction of the four-seater version resulted in approximately 200,000 units sold over the next three years. To accommodate the rear seat, the Thunderbird underwent a transformation, growing from 175 inches to 205 inches between 1957 and 1958.

In contrast, Chevrolet chose to stick to their original concept. In response to Ford’s initial success with the Thunderbird, Chevrolet introduced a V8 engine option for the Corvette in 1955. This move, combined with Ford’s shift in strategy, solidified the Corvette’s status as “America’s Sports Car.”

The Thunderbird proved to be a versatile vehicle for Ford, offering various body styles from 1955 to 2005. It could be found as a four-door post car, a five-passenger convertible, and even as a two-seat retro convertible from 2002 to 2005. Throughout its various iterations, approximately 4.4 million Ford Thunderbirds were proudly assembled and rolled off the production line, leaving an indelible mark on the history of American automobiles.

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