AS A BOND fan, whenever I see the retro-styled Ford Thunderbird I'm reminded of its fleeting appearance in Die Another Day. Driven by Bond's CIA counterpart Jinx (Halle Berry), it fits the larger-than-life character and joyfully OTT film down to that last T. Yet, out in the real world, there's something slightly surreal about it - especially in the UK.
Although the 1950s and '60s T-Birds are fondly remembered, the model lost its way somewhat through the 1980s and '90s before the forgettable coupé version was killed off in 1997. The revival set out to make a return to the glory years, thanks to a heavy dose of retro styling and a revisiting of its convertible roots. The final design was completed in 1999 under the watchful eye of J Mays, and the first production models landed in 2001.
Under the skin, the Thunderbird was based on the Ford DEW platform that had underpinned the Lincoln LS and the equally retro-looking Jaguar S-type. As the Thunderbird was a prestige model, instead of sticking the Mustang's V8 under the bonnet Ford built its own short-stroke, 252bhp, 3.9-litre version of Jaguar's AJ30 V8 engine, mated to its own five-speed automatic transmission.
Denne historien er fra October 2022-utgaven av Octane.
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Denne historien er fra October 2022-utgaven av Octane.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Will China Change Everything? - China is tearing up modern motor manufacture but is yet to make more than a ripple in the classic car world. That could be about to change dramatically
China now dominates the automotive world in a way even Detroit in its heyday would have struggled to comprehend.Helped by Government incentives, the new car world is dominated by China's industries: whether full cars that undercut Western models by huge amounts, ownership of storied European brands such as Lotus and Volvo, or ownership and access to the vast majority of raw materials that go into EV cars, its influence is far-reaching and deep. However, this automotive enlightenment hasn't manifested itself in the classic world in any meaningful way - until now.
Jem Marsh
The hard-bitten Marcos boss was driven like few others and never knew when he was beaten. Thankfully
Vandamm House
A Mid-Century Modernist masterpiece that was immortalised on celluloid - despite never actually existing
Making light
Alfa Romeo's post-war renaissance began with the 1900 saloon - and matured with Zagato's featherweight coupé version, as Jay Harvey discovers
FULL OF EASTERN PROMISE
Is burgeoning classic car interest in the Middle East good for the global classic market? Nathan Chadwick investigates
Before the beginning
This rare Amazon Green pre-production Range Rover is Velar chassis number 4. James Elliott charts its historically revealing factory restoration
Ben Cussons
As the outgoing chairman of the Royal Automobile Club hands on to his successor, Robert Coucher quizzes him about the evolution of this great British institution
BULLDOG & THE PUPPIES
We gather five motoring masterpieces by avant-garde designer William Towns - and drive all of them
Below the tip of the Audrain iceberg
As the Audrain organisation grows, we take a look behind the scenes at the huge car collection that feeds it
Flying the Scottish flag
Young Ecurie Ecosse driver Chloe Grant gets to grips with the Ecurie Ecosse Jaguar C-type at Goodwood. Matthew Hayward is Octane's witness
