And mate that to an OEM-shelf Getrag 8-speed automatic. Another idea was to go with a V6 but a twin turbo 3.5 liter V-6. Little known is that the engine was shared with Aston Martin (which had a higher flow intake and unique tuning). When sales dropped like a rock after the first year, Ford decided to make the 2005 model year the last year. Though it didn’t have a manual shift version, it had a manual shift feature for the 5-speed automatic called SelectShift eventually. The AJ-30 V8 was replaced by the AJ-35 in 2003 and later Thunderbirds, bringing with it variable valve timing (VVT) and electronic throttle control (ETC) as well as 280 horsepower (210 kW) and 286 lb⋅ft (388 N⋅m) of torque. The engine was mated to Ford’s 5R55N 5-speed automatic transmission. There was only one engine, a Jaguar-designed AJ-30 3.9 L DOHC V8, a short-stroke (85mm) variant of the Jaguar AJ-26 4.0 L V8, rated at 252 horsepower (188 kW) and 267 lb⋅ft (362 N⋅m) of torque. It didn’t have a sporty dash because the instrument panel, steering wheel and other trim pieces were borrowed from Lincoln LS. The eleventh generation Thunderbird was built at Ford’s Wixom Assembly Plant. Several times thereafter they revived it, the last version re-introduced for 2002. Some parts were used in the Mustang but not the SLA front suspension and the independent rear suspension.įord had originally brought out the two seater ‘Bird in ’55 as a two years too late rival to the Corvette.
There was talk back then of building the Mustang on it but it would have upped the price of the ‘Stang too much. The same lightweight aluminum-intensive rear wheel drive platform code-named DEW-98 was under the Jaguar S-Type, Lincoln LS, and Ford Thunderbird. It had a very interesting chassis shared with a Jaguar, but alas, remained namby-pamby, not developed as a performance car. The revived T-bird had potential for greatness.
(At one time he had his own separate shop for building automaker prototypes, but now concentrates on his own designs). But he did design and build this special version, a concept car. Oh, they built a two seater Bird but he didn’t design the mass produced one. There has to be a high point as a car designer, and I think one of them is being able to tool around in a car you designed.Īt the Enderle Cars & Coffee in Tustin, CA only last week I saw “Chip” Foose, ace designer at one time for both Ford and Chrysler, and star of the Velocity reality show called “Overhaulin” toodle by in a two seater that was the car that Ford should have built.
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