| What's better than cruising with your very best girl | | | | dreams. Often, these cars are ready to be restored |
| on a Saturday night? Cruising in a Ford Thunderbird | | | | to their former glory, so you might be able to find |
| classic car, that's what. T-Birds first appeared in 1955, | | | | some bargains here.o Car clubs. Is there a local Ford |
| (the same year Disneyland opened its doors), and | | | | or T-Bird club in your area? Join it. You may find one |
| they have been going strong ever since. Those first | | | | of the members is selling their car, and you'll learn |
| Thunderbirds were small, classically designed sports | | | | more about how to restore and enjoy your T-Bird |
| cars that oozed style and speed at the same time. | | | | once you find one to buy. |
| Thunderbird classic cars underwent an evolution after | | | | What makes these cars so classic? Well, it could be |
| they first appeared in 1955. First designed as | | | | the 1950s retro styling, with fins, porthole windows, |
| two-seaters, a four-door appeared in the late 1960s, | | | | and their sporty look, or it could be that many people |
| and in 1958, the ultra-classic convertible first | | | | remember them from when they were young. They |
| appeared, leading the car to its' classic status almost | | | | were the "cool" cars then, and some things never |
| overnight. | | | | change, Thunderbird classic cars are still cool today, |
| The Ford T-Bird came in a variety of colors, from | | | | so cool that Ford has brought back an updated |
| pristine white (remember "American Graffiti?") to | | | | version for the 21st century. |
| classic and eye-popping candy-apple red. They seem | | | | Did you know Thunderbird classic cars were named |
| to represent the 1950s, an age of innocence and | | | | for a mythological Native American bird, and they can |
| youth that is long gone but certainly not forgotten. | | | | be categorized into eras of style and development? |
| How can you collect Thunderbird classic cars? Well, | | | | Here they are:o 1955-1957. This generation is known |
| there are several places to start:o Your local classified | | | | as the "Classic Birds," "Little Birds," or "Early Birds," |
| pages. A long shot, to be sure, but you may find the | | | | according to who you ask.o 1958-1960. These are |
| car of your dreams right in your own back yard.o | | | | the "Square Birds," and include the introduction of the |
| Local car auctions. Again, these classic beauties are | | | | convertible.o 1961-1963. Here come the "Bullet Birds," |
| hard to find, but at the right car auction, one might | | | | styled after a sleek, speedy bullet.o 1964-1966. |
| turn up.o Vintage car auctions. Your odds get better | | | | These are the "Flair Birds," designed with more flair |
| at these auctions that pop up around the country | | | | and less speed..o 1967-1969. Known as the "Glamour |
| and specialize is antique and vintage cars like | | | | Birds," these models may be easier to find that the |
| Thunderbirds, and the cars are often in mint condition | | | | earliest models, and became more luxurious. The |
| at these auctions, too.o Online. You can check | | | | convertible disappeared with this model, but four |
| auction sites like eBay, sales sights like Craigslist, or | | | | doors appeared. |
| Internet sales sites to find the Thunderbird of your | | | | |