A young Ford car stylist, Alden “Gib” Giberson, won a $95 suit and an extra pair of pants from Saks Fifth Avenue for suggesting the name Thunderbird. More than 5,000 names were considered for the new Ford project in 1954. Eleven generations of Thunderbird have produced treasured collectors’ items in a variety of models, including the design which in 1989 earned Thunderbird its third award as Motor Trend’s “Car of the Year.” 22 was the date of public introduction of the original two-seater in 1954.
The flight of the Ford Thunderbird has taken several twists and turns during its first 42 year existence while maintaining its path in the forefront of American automobile legends. In short, it was the essence of personal luxury.
The T-Bird roadster, introduced at the Detroit Auto Show in 1954, was a two door roadster with a focus on modern comforts, conveniences and all weather protection, as well as power, performance and handling. As Motor Trend’s Detroit editor, Don McDonald wrote “Perhaps the most outstanding feature of the new Ford Thunderbird is the clever wedding of sports car functionalism with American standards of comfort”. Given these influences and the burgeoning American economy it was no surprise that the introduction of the 1955 Thunderbird was a huge success, easily filling a market niche. At the same time, interest in motorsports increased and car racing gained popularity.
American soldiers in Europe during the war had seen Italian, German, French, and English sports cars and had brought some of these vehicles home with them. One of the most popular types of vehicle was the sports car. While no cars had been produced during World War II, the late 1940’s saw a huge rush in production as the American car companies tried to fill the postwar demand for vehicles.
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