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3rd entry in this theme’s 3-part series sparked by photos taken by OC,SHer DOUG T at Country Classic Cars (Staunton IL) in 2014: iconic emblem for the Ford Thunderbird.

This model debuted in 1955 as a 2-seater competitor to the venerable Chevrolet Corvette & ended in a similar fashion during a brief production run 2002-2005. Between 1955 & 1997 (when production 1st ended), the nameplate had 10 generations &, in essence, grew up with its owners. In 1958, the model was configured to a 4-seater to accommodate families & increase sales. Then, in 1967, with growing “competition” from the Ford Mustang, the Thunderbird was moved upscale again, now also available in a 4-door sedan configuration. The Thunderbird grew larger still in 1972, sharing the body & frame of the Lincoln Mark IV, putting it in the same full-size category as the Ford LTD & Chevrolet Caprice. 5 years later, the Thunderbird underwent its 1st downsizing, as seen in yesterday’s “Thunderbird Thursday”, landing it in the overloaded mid-size category in which it outsold the famous & immensely popular Oldsmobile Cutlass in 1977. After the GM intermediates (Cutlass, Pontiac Grand Prix, Buick Regal, Monte Carlo) were dramatically downsized for the 1978 model year, the Thunderbird followed 2 years later (1980). With the introduction of yet another restyling in 1983, the Thunderbird forced Chevrolet to produce the Monte Carlo SS Aerocoupe (1986-7) for better NASCAR competition. The Thunderbird’s last original run ended in 1997, before the aforementioned brief early-mid 2000s run.