Information on leaflet included in Box (in 4 Languages)
(my comments in Bold)
The
paternity of this two-seater may be ascribed to Mr Lewis
Crusoe, the Ford General Manager who, coming back from
Paris Motor Show, realizes with disappointment that his
production is lacking in a model of sports car to be set
against the several Jaguar, Mercedes, Ferrari cars and,
most of all, the Chevrolet Corvette that has already been
produced for two years.
-
I don't
think your timing is quite right here,
guys ?
That would mean the Corvette was being produced in 1951
And were Ford really concerned about Corvette production of 700 cars a year?
He makes up for this deficiency very soon and, in 1955,
a new Ford model is presented at the absolutely
competitive price of US $ 2.944. Though openly derived
from the Corvette, it immediately proves to be a
sensational and unexpected success, taking away almost
all the potential buyers from its rival.
(It will be
enough to consider that, in 1960, 87.000 Thunderbirds, to
only 9.000 Corvettes, are sold).
-
I
thought we were discussing the 1956 ?
In addition to this, our T-Bird bears comparison with
many of the other fast cars.
- Like the Jaguar D Type XKSS ? or the
Ferrari 250S
Under its bonnet there is a new 292 cubic inches
engine developing 202 H.P. and, for what it concerns
transmission, a hand lever gearshift is adopted following
the European example.
The 1956 model,
here reproduced, slightly
differs from its forerunner: the body corresponds exactly
except for the new position of the spare wheel, which,
being completely external, gives further refinement to
its line. The same year sees also the advent of the
famous Hard-Top endowed with side port-holes.
It is now possible to choose between two kinds of
motorization: the 292 cubic inches with its 202 H.P. and
hand lever gearshift; and the 312 cubic inches with hand
lever gearshift or Overdrive (225 H.P.), or else equipped
with Fordomatic (215 H.P.).
- Jaguar XKSS = 250 H.P.
- Ferrari 250S = 240 H.P.
In contrast with the Corvette, its dashboard is
extremely simple: the board is straight, with a large
dial in front of the driver and a few gadgets.
Unfortunately, in 1958, the two-seat model is replaced
by a four seater which will never be able to renew the
charm and the success of the first unforgettable T-Bird
