2002 Ford Thunderbird Deluxe

2002 Ford Thunderbird Convertible 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 1958 Thunderbird 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. For consignment, a 2002 Ford Thunderbird convertible showing 17,733 miles, but the true miles are unknown. Up until recently, this was a one family owned, two top car with some exterior enhancements that make this one stand out from the flock. Exterior The eye- catching design of the front of this Evening Black car suggests 1950's Thunderbirds but in reverse angles. The headlights lean backwards with no brow, where the originals pushed forward and wore overhangs from the body. Our grille is slightly convex where the early grilles were concave, both of egg crate construction. Where the hood scoop rose above the hood in the '50's, it dips down into the hood following a sculpted ravine that directs air to the opening. There's a significant rake to the windshield but in 1956, the glass was vertical and wrapped around. This modern version wears fender skirts which really does alter the profile that is bolstered by the 17-inch chrome wheels wrapped in 50 series black wall tires. A custom trim piece flows over the shoulder line intersecting the fender vent and coming to points at each end. In back, tail light trim pieces have been added that surrounds the red with chrome and bisects the light with a trim piece. We found one scratch on a quarter panel and the rest of the paint, metalwork, canvas top, and porthole bearing hardtop are all in excellent condition. Interior Red armrests visually pop off the otherwise stately black and aluminum door panels and hint at some of the excitement to come. The ribbed pattern towards the door jamb continues on a circular back wall behind the seats and the red insert of those seats ties in with that design even more. The red is surrounded by well padded black leather with a substantial head restraint above. Red plastic panels make up the lower dash which spill into the sides of the center console where a red handled shifter sits at the ready. Even the steering wheel has a top red arch and an aqua Thunderbird which is coordinated with the aqua needles of the white faced gauges on the surrounding black dashboard. The center stack is the only thing that refrains from some wildness as the AM/FM/CD, climate controls, and other switches and knobs are fully integrated in the flat black panel. Low pile black carpet covers the floor protected by cut to fit Thunderbird mats and the underside of the removable hardtop is in excellent condition. Drivetrain With so few miles, and a number of plastic covers, the engine bay remains clean and houses a 3.9 liter DOHC V8 producing 252 horsepower and tied to a 5R55N 5-speed automatic transmission which sends power, old school style, to the rear wheels with 3.58 conventional gears. Power disc brakes are found on all four wheels. Undercarriage Clean with only hints of being driven the underside houses a unibody with X-bracing and a tunnel through which the dual exhaust travels, entering original equipment mufflers on their way to exit is split fashion via chrome tips. Both ends of the car have independent suspension with MacPherson struts playing the starring role. Drive-Ability What's not to love? A modern retro two seater in new condition with flashy red highlights, a very comfortable cabin, and plenty of power underfoot. The car tracks, handles, and stops well. Even with portholes, visibility requires careful attention to that bli