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When can you get one and more! |
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Ever since Ford Motor Company announced the return of the Thunderbird on 03 January 99 everyone has been going "BIRD CRAZY" for details!
BlueOvalNews has some internal Ford documents on the 2001 Thunderbird that we would like to share - I personally couldn't wait to hear the news myself!
Instead of filling this page with notes, we're going to get right down to the big question everyone's been asking since 03 January 99. WHEN IS FORD GOING TO MAKE THIS CAR AND WHEN CAN I EXPECT TO SEE ONE IN A FORD SHOWROOM? BlueOvalNews has internal Ford documents which show that the Wixom assembly plant has been given the green light for Thunderbird JOB1 on 11 November 2000. That means that 2001 Thunderbirds will be available in plenty of time for that perfect holiday season gift! Ford might even make a special edition Thunderbird for the December edition Neiman Marcus catalog. Heck, who needs an Aston Martin anyway?
BlueOvalNews has been assured that the program is on target for the November launch. We're told not to expect any delays and that the Thunderbird team is anticipating a very smooth launch.
If your skeptical about the ability of Ford to predict a product launch so far into the future. . .don't be. BlueOvalNews is aware of JOB 1 dates into 2004!
The Thunderbird will return to its former assembly plant, Wixom-Lincoln here in Michigan. The 2001 Thunderbird will inherit the discontinued Lincoln Mark VIII's line, which Ford has been retooling for some time now. Wixom employees are reporting that there is a lot of activity on the Mark's line. . . .all in preparation for the Thunderbird's homecoming. The tooling to manufacture the former Thunderbird and Cougar in Loraine, Ohio is at the Dearborn-Rouge complex.
There has also been a lot of speculation concerning the Thunderbird's engine(s). BlueOvalNews has received documents which show the only available engine to be offered in the Thunderbird will be the 3.9 V-8 (no V-6). We CANNOT confirm or deny any reports stating that the 2001 Thunderbird will use a more powerful engine than the Lincoln LS's; however, we have reason to believe that it will NOT. We do have reason to believe that the 2002.5 Thunderbird WILL have a more powerful engine than the 2001's.
We have also seen Ford internal documents that clearly indicate that a SuperCharged 3.9 V-8 engine is under development, although there is NO indication that it will be used in the Thunderbird. Based on engine option documents, we know that the 2001 and 2002 Thunderbird will not be using a SuperCharged engine. Let's not forget that in the first two years of the Thunderbirds availability (1955-1956), a SuperCharger was not available; although, one was offered in its third year - 1957. Wouldn't it be cool if they followed this same pattern and offered a SuperCharged Thunderbird in 2003? It could happen.
BlueOvalNews has seen another set of internal Ford documents which show one more optional engine would be made available for the 2002 Lincoln LS, but have SERIOUS doubts and are almost CERTAIN that this engine would NOT be made optional on the Thunderbird.
There has also been a lot of speculation about the available colors for the '01 bird. We don't have any documents detailing this information and can only note that one Ford source has told us that the design team will use 70% of the colors from older Thunderbirds while the remaining 30% of the color choices will be from a more modern mix. We have also been told that the design team does want to use colors primarily offered on 1955-1957 Thunderbirds. Now that we all know when the Thunderbird will be released, we can better gauge the relationship between it, the Lincoln LS and the Jaguar S series. This is important since changes in some of these other models can ultimately find their way into the Thunderbird. Start saving for December! COPYRIGHT 1999 WARNER PUBLICATIONS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED BlueOvalNews.com |
SUMMARY: * Thunderbird JOB1 will start on 11 November 2000. 2001 Thunderbirds will be at Ford dealerships in time for the holiday season. * A SuperCharged 3.9 is under development * The Thunderbird might get a power boost in 2002.5. * Classic 1955-1957 Thunderbird colors are possible.
BlueOvalNews.com |
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Thunderbird Rumor Mill |
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