2003 Ford Thunderbird Review Hickory NC

Cruising into its second year, Ford's Thunderbird appears to have shaken the start-up glitches that delayed many of last year's cars getting to their owners. A limited-production vehicle with a long waiting list of buyers is Catch-22 for any automaker. It's good to have people anxiously awaiting their cherished automobiles, but humans are impatient by nature. Ford wanted to assure quality for this eagerly anticipated car and delayed delivering many 2002 T-birds until the ubiquitous new-vehicle glitches were sorted and solved. Though it still suffered a few growing pains along the way, this revision of an American classic continues to garner awards and attention from the motoring press and the public.

For 2003, the Thunderbird retains all the carryover styling components from the 1950's icon, including the hood scoop, round headlights and opera window on the optional hardtop. However, the '03 models gain a number of new features, all of which make the Thunderbird a better car—and increase its open-top fun.

With such a legendary nameplate as Thunderbird in its portfolio, Ford was wise to undertake a modern rendition of the classic. The underlying challenge was to incorporate just the right amount of nostalgia, yet make the car contemporary enough to attract present-day buyers.

Author: Ron Moorhead

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