February 19, 1954 – Ford Thunderbird concept is completed
The 1954 Ford Thunderbird concept at the Detroit Auto Show
Ford Motor Company knew it needed a response, and fast, when Chevrolet rolled out the Corvette prototype in January 1953. Ford unveiled a plan to launch what would become the Thunderbird the very next month. From idea to rolling reality in just one year, the Ford Thunderbird prototype received its finishing touches on this day in 1954. The concept would debut to the public the following day at the Detroit Auto Show.
We featured this 1955 Ford Thunderbird in our first episode of Cars & Bars. Watch here.
Henry Ford II and William Clay Ford checking out the Thunderbird concept at the Detroit Auto Show in 1954.
The Thunderbird would go into production the next fall and officially go on sale as a 1955 model on October 2...