2005 Ford Thunderbird 50th Anniversary

Description

OK, if you want a late-model Thunderbird but aren't sure which one will most likely become a collectors' treasure, here it is: the 2005 50th Anniversary model. With just 1500 made, a special color combination, low mileage, and all the paperwork, this is getting in on the ground floor of a future collectable.

To celebrate 50 years of Thunderbirds, Ford knew they couldn't just do some badges and call it done. They also knew that doing some retro-themed makeover wouldn't really get anyone excited, so they gave the special Anniversary models a lot of unique features that makes them really stand out. The first, of course, is the Cashmere paint, a color somewhere between white pearl and beige, and with an iridescent finish, it seems to glow from within. Honestly, the shots in our studio just don't do it justice. The Anniversary cars also received painted grilles and special badging, but they're not really necessary to make this car stand apart from the crowd. Of course, with just 37,642 original miles, it looks quite sharp and has not been used as a daily driver. As a result, the paint still looks fresh, the bodywork is unmarred by parking lot dings, and it remains in near showroom condition throughout.

The interior is where the 50th Anniversary cars got a lot of substantial upgrades. First there's the leather, which is glove soft and almost perfectly matches the bodywork. The darker carpets and tri-tone door panels are striking and the center console borders on art. Special 50th Anniversary embroidery on the seat backs means that you won't see this interior in any other Thunderbird and the two-tone steering wheel matches the overall look; heck, even the gauges match! In fact, just about the only parts that carry over from the regular T-Birds are the knobs and buttons on the dash. Everything was standard equipment, including a special plaque commemorating the anniversary and noting that this is car 1193 out of 1500 built. It is all in exemplary condition, truly remarkable given the soft leather and the light color, again suggesting that the owner cared a great deal about this special 'Bird. It includes both a canvas top and a color-matched hard top, which is lined with special beige fabric that really brightens up the interior. The trunk is stock, of course, but that also means it's well-shaped and ready for a few backs for your next vacation to someplace warm.

Mechanically the Anniversary models were identical to other Thunderbirds, including the 3.9 liter V8 engine and 5-speed automatic transmission. Time has proven that these engines are durable and mostly trouble-free, and it strikes just the right balance between V8 performance and unobtrusive luxury. The engine bay is completely stock and remains sharply detailed, so it looks almost showroom fresh. The underside of the car shows off a decade of clean living, and while it might have been caught in a rain storm or two, there's absolutely nothing underneath that should be cause for worry. The custom wheels were unique to the Anniversary models and include a Cashmere-colored trim ring just to tie it all together. A set of 235/55/17 Vogue yellow-stripe radials have been fitted to give it an old-school elegance.

Completely documented, including all the special Anniversary paperwork, manuals, and window stickers, this would be the one to put away for posterity. Call today!