Test Drive 2003 Ford Thunderbird Classic Car Addict

Classic Car Addict is proud to introduce this 2003 Ford Thunderbird Premium for sale in our Mesa, Arizona showroom. Driving a Ford Thunderbird on a summer night takes you back to a simpler time. The V8 engine burbles as you cruise comfortably back in time. Two seats, convertible top, rear-wheel drive, at times it feels like driving a vintage car, only it's brand new.
Introduced as a 2002 model, the Thunderbird has enjoyed solid sales, but there are important changes to this big-image car for 2003. The Thunderbird has a great powertrain and this year there's more on tap: Horsepower from the 3.9-liter V8 has been increased to 280 and torque to 286 foot-pounds, 28 more horsepower and 25 more foot-pounds of torque than before. That means much stronger acceleration performance. Electronic throttle control and variable cam timing borrowed from the Jaguar engine improve engine performance, power and fuel economy all at once.
The interior is finished in Saddle with comfortable bucket seats that are independently adjustable with power switches located on the side of the seats. The instruments are beautifully rendered in the T-Bird, much like the 1955 car. The center stack, that portion of the instrument panel at the center of the dash that carries the vents, the sound system controls and the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) controls, is taken almost directly from the Lincoln LS.
The new Thunderbird features design aspects of the original 1955 car, the 1962 car, and some other, earlier Thunderbirds, but Ford doesn't talk about this car in terms of 'retro' design because it has so much modern equipment in it, on it and underneath it. The exterior is finished in Evening Black and does have some rock chips and a few scratches throughout, but a nice buff and polish would bring some additional shine to the T-Bird.
The engine is a direct lift from the Lincoln LS, with only a few modifications to make it fit in and under the car. It's a small V8, only 3.9 liters, less than 240 cubic inches. In fact, it's smaller than the smallest V8 you could get in 1955, but it meets all the modern criteria for emissions and gets good fuel economy. Thunderbird's 240 cubic-inch V8 produces 280 horsepower, more than one horsepower per cubic inch. It drives smoothly, mechanically quiet, and ready to go whenever.
The Ford Thunderbird is eye candy, a two-seat convertible with one foot in the past and one foot in the future. The Thunderbird is a beautifully detailed car in almost every respect. Cruising along in this car can be a joyous experience! Call Classic Car Addict today at 480-256-1459.

[@yambo59]

Take that top off and wipe all the seals with special weatherstrip preservative and I bet most of that top noise goes away, we did it to a friends corvette and the difference was like night and day - rubber seals are dry causing the noises.

[@ClassicCarAddicts]

I will try that. Thanks.

[@FaithfulServant316]

Too bad it's not a '57!

[@ClassicCarAddicts]

We got one coming in.