| 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.
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. The black was sold at auction
to a Museum in Florida 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 - possibly disassembled?
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. |