2004 Ford Thunderbird

Description

There's a pretty short list of cars built in the 21st century that could be considered collectable, but the most recent 2-seat Thunderbirds have to qualify. Cars like this 2004 T-Bird have all the right ingredients: looks, performance, limited production, and a nostalgia behind them that takes us back decades. This one is a lot more affordable than most, too, and like most of them, it's got low-mileage and has been expertly maintained.

Most of the late-model 'Birds are flashy black or yellow or red cars, but this subtle silver convertible offers a refreshing change. Showing just 27,806 original miles, this car has spent the last decade being a garage queen, used only on nice days and special occasions, which is how many of its siblings have spent their lives, too. As a result, there are no worries about foul weather issues like rust and there's absolutely no evidence it's ever been hit or even touched up after a parking lot ding. The factory silver paint (which is called Platinum Silver) shows a brilliant gloss that highlights the interesting shapes on the body, including the way the taillights smoothly blend into the trunk lid. For protection, it wears a clear plastic "bra" on the leading edge of the hood and front fenders and it's nearly invisible unless you know to look for it. As you'd expect, door gaps are excellent, the chrome bits are still bright, and there aren't even any windshield wiper marks on the windshield itself. You want a car that's led an easy life, this is definitely it.

The tan leather interior is an awesome choice with the silver body, unusual yet elegant. These cars are supremely comfortable, so it's easy to settle in behind the wheel for a long road trip, and the heated leather seats strike just the right blend of comfort and support for spirited driving. Contrasting black carpets and dashboard make it look dramatic, particularly the steering wheel itself, and the brushed metal trim hearkens back to the original 2-seat Thunderbird with its engine-turned dashboard. Cream-faced gauges have an elegant look without being too retro and the rest of the dash is filled with buttons and displays for the climate control system and AM/FM/CD stereo. The trunk is as new and like most of its siblings, this Thunderbird carries both a tan convertible top and a color-matched porthole hardtop for all-weather motoring.

Ford's 3.9 liter DOHC V8 engine was a great choice for the Thunderbird. It's got decent power, but tire-shredding burn outs are not really the point. Instead, it's what Rolls-Royce would describe as "adequate" and delivers that power smoothly without a fuss. There's a nice V8 burble from the tailpipe that never gets annoying and when paired with the 5-speed automatic overdrive transmission, it always seems to be on its toes. Need to get into that spot in traffic? Easy! Cruising down your favorite country road? Plenty of punch coming out of corners. Long highway drive? Effortless and surprisingly efficient. The 4-wheel independent suspension soaks up bumps without being mushy and 4-wheel disc brakes are a welcome feature that early T-Bird owners would definitely have appreciated. Chrome-plated "Premium" wheels add some flash and carry 235/50/17 Michelin radials all around.

Documented with all its original books and manuals, this is a fun future collectable that's eminently affordable today. Call now!