1999 Concept Thunderbird

PortholeAuthority.com 1999, 2000, 2001 Concept t-bird

Ford Concept Thunderbird

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Photos from various

Car Shows in 1999

This car was such a sensation at the 1999 Detroit Auto Show, Jan 3, 1999, that Ford immediately contracted to have two more cars built for the show circuit - one in red and one in black. Both were ready by March 1999 for the show circuit in Europe. Hoods and trunks were kept closed during shows. Ford did not yet have an engine ready to show with these cars. These 3 show cars were shown at various shows around the US, Canada, and Europe. The "Inspiration Yellow" showcar was the first one. Though it used the same color name as the production 2002 Thunderbird yellow, it is a much lighter shade. The black model is noted for the all red interior. Ford did not carry that full color style into the production models but opted for the 2-tone or "full or partial accent" interior color choices along with the full black interior choices. I miss the full color as it's so striking but the full accent is a beautiful replacement. Ford did not officially approve the design for production until May 2000.

Here is a youtube video by Motor Week of the NAIAS Detroit Show where the concept first appeared.

The yellow Concept Thunderbird was at the Wichita, Kansas CTCI Regional over the 4th of July, 1999 weekend. When talking with the design company personnel accompanying the yellow show car at the Kansas show that summer, they mentioned that the red and black were ready in 6 weeks.

I'm still looking for photos of the black that I took in 2000 while at a CTCI International Convention in Chicago. The black was sold at auction to a Museum/Dealership in Florida in 2003 where it still resides. The museum has not posted any current photos of the black concept Thunderbird.
The fate of the yellow and the red are unknown?

Note the aluminum center stack in the red interior pictures. Many owners have lamented the fact that Ford did not continue that treatment with the production cars.

Click on photos for larger view:

Photo Links all work now including the red one.


Wichita, Kansas Regional July 1999 Wichita, Kansas Regional	Geneva, Switzerland Auto Show March 1999 Geneva Switzerland	Internationale Automobil Ausstellung Frankfurt, Germany Sept. 1999
Some Views of the Concept Thunderbird at the Frankfurt Show:



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