This particular model of the 1957 Ford Thunderbird was originally released by ERTL as part of their "Precision 100" collection. The "P100" series of models were commissioned by Ford in order to celebrate their 100th anniversary which occurred in 2003. ERTL is a model company that usually makes accurate looking but poorly detailed models of American cars. However, for the P100 line they really raised their game and produced a series of outstanding 1:18th diecast models for not much more money than their previous releases (at least based on the Irish retail prices I paid for my examples of the P100 line locally).
Features introduced on the P100 range of models (which this Thunderbird has) included tiny keys hanging from the ignition, realistic door hinges and locks, hood/bonnet hinges which look and work realistically, moving driveshafts, and additional opening features (in addition that is to opening doors, bonnets and boot lids) such as the fuel filler flap on this T-Bird.
Ford ended it's arrangement with ERTL to produce the P100 line after only 5 models were released (including the original 1964 1/2 Mustang convertible, Fairlane Thunderbolt, Model T roadster, this 1957 Thunderbird and a 1937 Lincoln Zephyr). Thankfully though, ERTL decided to continue with it's new line of more highly detailed models under the "ERTL Authentics" brand. The Ford models produced as P100s have now mostly been continued as "Authentics" and a further versions of the Mustang have been released (including a 1965 Convertible and a '64-'66 fastback). In addition to Fords, the Authentics range now includes other brands such as Chevrolet, Oldsmobile and Dodge.
Getting back to the model above, this Thunderbird was not considered to be the best of the original P100 models released, due to some perceived quality issues and possibly some inaccuracies. I'm not however an expert on the '55-'57 Thunderbird, so being honest I'm not sure why it was not received by collectors as well as the preceding 1964 Mustang and Thunderbolt were. I'd certainly be grateful for any additional information about the above from anyone in the know.
I do think it is an essentially good model however, with lots of fine detailing as was expected from the P100 line. The hardtop is detachable and has the neat "porthole" windows in it which give this car a very distinctive look. The sidewalls of the tires are unbranded and the additional opening features (including the fuel filler flap and two vents-one on each side-behind the front wheels) look a little crude and have large "panel gaps" around them. Otherwise it is a model with good interior and engine detail plus a nice "stance" overall.
The real car was first introduced in 1955 and was Fords answer to Chevrolets Corvette (introduced in 1953). Both cars were prompted by the popularity of open British sportscars in America in the 1950s. Cars such as Austin-Healys and MGs were very popular and both Ford and GM wanted to capture some of the market for sportscars with homegrown alternatives. While the Corvette was (and still is) an out and out sportscar (with good performance being it's main objective as a car, which it usually had except in the 1970s when it was choked by fuel shortages and restrictive emissions equipment) the Thunderbird from the outset was intended to be more of a "personal luxury car", with comfort and style being as big a priority as outright performance. The original 1955-57 T-Birds were the only ones with two seats as from 1958 on the T-Bird gained additional rear seating to increase it's practicality and hence appeal in the marketplace. Some of the 1960s "Squarebirds" (as the more bluff fronted T-Birds of the early to mid 1960s were known) had a hard tonneau cover with fared in headrests that fitted across the rear seats, turning the car into a two seater. The cover was removable though, and the rear seats remained in place.
Arguably one of the best looking cars made in the 1950s, the original Thunderbird remains a classic car today. Gordon Murray, former F1 designer and creator of the McLaren F1 car has an original Thunderbird as he apparently always liked them. Given that he is obsessed with light weight vehicles, the large and certainly heavy Thunderbird seems an odd choice of classic car for him!
All 1957 Thunderbirds had large capacity V8 engines driving the rear wheels. Unique to the 1957 T-Birds (compared to the similar '55 and '56 model) were a reshaped front bumper with additional chrome "bullets" each side of the grill, which itself was larger and deeper than in previous years, larger tailfins and a new vertical spare tire mounting in the trunk, which meant it took up far less usable luggage space. The 1955 version had very little space in the trunk due to the intrusive spare tire, so for 1956 it was mounted on the rear bumper "continental style". For 1957 the tire was moved back inside the trunk thanks to the new vertical mount Ford designed for it.
Up until 1997 it was possible to buy a Thunderbird which Ford kept producing for over 40 years (through several model changes). A Retro styled Thunderbird (which aped the looks of the '55-'57 car) was first shown as a concept in 1999 (Maisto made a model of it which I have in my collection) and put into production in 2002. It is based on the same rear wheel drive chassis and mechanicals as the Jaguar S-Type and the Lincoln LS. Initially it was a hot seller but buyers quickly realised that it was somewhat underpowered and overpriced, so sales fell away to a level far below what Ford expected of it. Hence production of the latest T-Bird ceased in 2005 and once again it is not possible to buy a new Ford Thunderbird.
As I'm currently in the middle of a house move (August 2006) all my models are packed away in storage so I'm not able to examine this model properly to fairly mark it according to my rating system. Hence the ratings below are blank, but over all it is generally above average in most categories. Once my collection is out of storage I'll add a proper ratings scale to this review.
%
