Wanted, and had powerful V-8 engines under the hood, making them immediatelyĪs popular as the new car was, Ford heard criticism about them as well. Two passenger models had most of the conveniences available that Americans Orders for around 4,000 cars the very first day they went on sale! The Given the name Thunderbird, the sporty convertible was an immediate sensation. In an amazingly short time,Ī prototype was readied for public viewing. Used on other Ford Motor Company vehicles. Ford's new personal car was put on the front burner,Īnd to save money and time, would need to be built with many of the components With all the flash of a sports car, but one that also included the luxuriesĪmericans were craving. Motoring press, and the motoring public, which required a response fromīut Ford wanted something better, not just a sports car. Was pretty utilitarian compared to the cars Americans were accustomed to.Īvailable in only one color combination, white with black convertible topĪnd red interior, it had plastic side flaps instead of roll up windows,Īnd was a little under powered. Powered by a six cylinder engine, the Corvette The firstĪmerican manufacturer to answer this demand for a sports car was Chevrolet, Which lacked the flash of the sports cars they saw overseas. Of years, and the ones that did get built were often warmed over 1948 models, When the war ended, new cars were scarce for a couple American GI's on duty inĮurope had the opportunity to see European sports cars up close, and they ManyĪutomobile manufacturers had shut down their assembly plants to build militaryĮquipment, such as tanks or engines for tanks. During World War II, Americans didn't have access to new automobiles.

The new ford thunderbird