Ford Thunderbird. 2002–5 (prod. 67,518). 2-door convertible. F/R, 3950 cm³ (V8 DOHC). With retromodern styling in vogue in the US, hype for the Thunderbird in its first year saw the cars go for far more over list. But once the hype died down, there were few takers for the retro ’Bird, styled after the 1955 original, and Ford killed it after the nameplate’s 50th anniversary year. Bolt-on hardtop. Some body flex on rougher roads, and too soft to be a sports’ car, with some roll when driven along twisty roads. Good steering and grip, and the DOHC V8 was a willing performer (252 hp). Well equipped. Better performance with higher compression and variable valve-timing for 2003, yielding an extra 28 bhp. Fiftieth anniversary editions were overpriced at nearly $45,000, but final-year production was a mere 9,220. The ’Bird vanished again as Ford found itself in difficulties.

Manufacturing location: Wixom, Michigan, USA

Marque: Ford | Model: Ford Thunderbird | Predecessor: Ford Thunderbird (1989–97)