HotCars digital artist Rostislav Prokop incorporates classic design elements with a modern taste that begs for a rebirth of the famous T-bird.
Among even the most successful vehicles, few model lines have a production run that lasts over forty years only to come back for a revival. The Ford Thunderbird is one of the few cars that can boast such a longstanding legacy encompassing many generations and body styles. From being a classic car show favorite to the famous Beach Boys song which mentions it, the Thunderbird, or T-Bird as it’s often called, is one of Ford’s most celebrated models.
Many beloved vehicles are getting revivals as of late, so HotCars digital artist Rostislav Prokop designs a new version of the iconic 1955 Ford Thunderbird, the first model year this Ford coupe went on sale.
Is Ford Making A New Thunderbird?
Ford built the first Thunderbird starting with its model year 1955 debut through 1997. The Thunderbird then went on a five-year hiatus, returning to its roots in 2002 with a two-seater convertible design. The eleventh generation T-Bird would run through 2005 until again getting discontinued by the blue oval. Ford has not indicated they’ll revive the Thunderbird for a future generation, but that doesn’t stop the enthusiasm for the car from remaining strong.
Rostislav Prokop’s rendering is both a tribute to the original and a bold redesign that incorporates modern styling. The hardtop roof stays true to form complete with the small circular windows behind the driver and passenger side doors. The headlights and taillights on the new version are more boldly styled with an overstated, halo-light look more closely aligned with modern cars.
Black wheels, a gunmetal gray paint scheme, and sharp lines take a famous personal luxury car design and incorporate modern muscle. Cars like the current Dodge Challenger similarly nod to the past while keeping in touch with the taste of consumers who want power and good looks in 2023. Thunderbird-specific badging and yellow brake calipers finish off the change as a modern coupe.
Will Ford Ever Make The Thunderbird Again?
While there aren’t plans made public by Ford to revive the Thunderbird nameplate, never say never. The Blue Oval discontinued and revived the Thunderbird once before. Since sales of the 2002 version of the car did not quite meet expectations, a different execution could change the car’s long-term fate. The new Ford Bronco is a recent example of the brand bringing a nameplate back from the grave on a fresh model with success.
The Ford Taurus, Lincoln Continental, Mercury Montego, Ford Ranger, and Shelby GT500 are a few other nameplates that got the boot from Ford only to get a revival at a later date. While Ford has largely removed itself from the car market to put greater focus on crossovers and pickup trucks, Ford’s commitment to the highly-anticipated 2024 Ford Mustang is a clear indication Ford isn’t out of the car game entirely. A new T-Bird may not be on the horizon at the moment, but it could see a comeback in the future.
If the T-Bird did make a comeback, expect either the 5.0-liter Coyote V8 from the Mustang GT or the 5.2-liter Predator V8 from the Shelby GT500 to power this tribute to one of the most iconic Fords of all time.