2003 Ford Thunderbird

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, and gains a number of new features.

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.


Mixing modern components with past memories can be a risky; to make improvements to that vehicle as it marches through its lifespan is even tougher. Ford's design team made the Thunderbird's body and interior design unmistakably T-bird: low hood complete with hood scoop and large, round headlights. The rear-end treatment continues with "afterburner" taillights. Even the interior is lifted right out of the Fifties, yet with a modern flare.

The 2003 Thunderbird engine continues to be powered by a 240-cid (3.9-liter) V-8, but horsepower jumps 28 ponies to a more respectable 280.

The 2003 Thunderbird engine continues to be powered by a 240-cid (3.9-liter) V-8, but major improvements appear here this year. The engine sees a 28-horsepower increase to a more-respectable total of 280. Torque has also been increased to 286 lb.-ft. These figures come from Ford changing to electronic throttle control ("drive by wire") and variable cam timing, both of which improve performance while stretching fuel economy. This engine best matches the car's character—a drop-top tourer as opposed to a flat-out sports car that can challenge Corvettes or Porsches. Still, we've noticed that the T-bird is generally the first car away from stoplights—other drivers are too mesmerized by it to accelerate.