1957 Ford Thunderbird illustrated by William J. Sims. From a 1981 Car Calendar.
“After World War II, American soldiers returning from Europe brought back a zest for small European sports cars, a yearning which went unfulfilled by American manufacturers until 1953, when Chevrolet introduced the Corvette. Ford Motor Company assessed the public's enthusiastic response to the Corvette and developed the Thunderbird. The combination of a high-compression, high-performance, standard Ford engine with the look of a sports car and the comfort of a luxury car made for a highly attractive package. The characteristic rear porthole windows and continental kit featuring the spare tire outside the trunk gave the two-seater Thunderbird the distinctive, innovative style that earned it a place among the other Milestone Cars.” [Source: “The Milestone Cars II (TRW’81): Portfolio by William J. Sims at CarStyling.ru]
[Note: The Ford Thunderbird was first unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show on February 20, 1954, and the first production model came off the line on September 9, 1954. It went on sale on October 22, 1954 as a 1955 model.]
1957 Ford Thunderbird illustrated by William J. Sims. From a 1981 Car Calendar.
“After World War II, American soldiers returning from Europe brought back a zest for small European sports cars, a yearning which went unfulfilled by American manufacturers until 1953, when Chevrolet introduced the Corvette. Ford Motor Company assessed the public's enthusiastic response to the Corvette and developed the Thunderbird. The combination of a high-compression, high-performance, standard Ford engine with the look of a sports car and the comfort of a luxury car made for a highly attractive package. The characteristic rear porthole windows and continental kit featuring the spare tire outside the trunk gave the two-seater Thunderbird the distinctive, innovative style that earned it a place among the other Milestone Cars.” [Source: “The Milestone Cars II (TRW’81): Portfolio by William J. Sims at CarStyling.ru]
[Note: The Ford Thunderbird was first unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show on February 20, 1954, and the first production model came off the line on September 9, 1954. It went on sale on October 22, 1954 as a 1955 model.]