Collectible Thunderbirds Design, Style and Fashion – Part 1 of 5
Successful collector car marques such as the Ford Thunderbird are all about style. True style flows from the nature of the design project and evokes a visual emotion that is consistent with the design objectives of the project. Albeit, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, yet quality design and lasting style is recognized by the masses of people who may not be able to articulate their reasons for applauding a particular style.
For example, the Ford "Baby Bird" Thunderbird of 1955 – 57 was originally well received by the public as a design and style Classic. In fact after the 55 T-Bird was only four years old it was being referred to on TV as a "Classic" car. Why was this? The car was basically a 1955 Ford cut down in height and length to become a two passenger "Personal" car with sporty and luxury characteristics. It was never sold or promoted as a sports car. The style of the car visually whispered the words, "personal, sporty, luxury, powerful and exciting," to the mind of the viewer.
The wrap-around windshield made the front fenders seem even longer than they really were. It also gave the driver and passenger a "fishbowl" sort of view that at the time seemed very empowering.
The thrusting headlight rims and hood ornament combined with the slight taper of the body down and in to the rear was right in line with the early 1950’s custom car craze to lower the rear of the car. This simulated the power surge causing the front of the car to rear up upon acceleration. This of course is in exact contradiction to the current fashion of having the rear end of the car hiked up into the air like a sprinter waiting for the starting gun.
