2002 Thunderbird

[Sonorandog]

I think I am in the minority on this one, I am a big fan of the 2000’s Thunderbirds. I thought Ford did a really great job with the retro look on these. Recently completely by accident I came across a kit from this generation. I had no idea they had ever made a model of these Thunderbirds, so I picked it up immediately and put it near the top of my to do list. This is a very simple snap together toy like kit, but I am very happy with the results and just excited that I now have one of these ‘birds on the shelf. 

[ea0863]

I'm with you, I thought they were a great reincarnation of the original. Particularly interesting was that the engine and much of the underpinnings were shared with Jaguar at the time.

[Jim B]

great looking Thunderbird.  'Shame that Ford canceled production in 2005.  Didn't sell well, I guess.

[karbuildr]

Very nice build. I would not have known it was a snap kit.

[michelle]

awesome work 
i have been trying to find one these kits to make a car from season 9 of the pokemon anime 

[Sonorandog]

Thank you everyone for the kind words.

This is a skill level 1 suitable for an 8 year old kit.  The only evidence of that is that the axels and wheels have a lot of motion.  You have to be careful when you set it down or it rolls away.   Also the bottom screws into the body I guess to hold up to the abuse of being played with. The moldings and detail are all very good.  I would encourage anybody to build one of these if you come across one.

[KWT]

Very nicely done.

Nothing wrong with a snapper.

[SSNJim]

1 hour ago, Sonorandog said:

I think I am in the minority on this one, I am a big fan of the 2000’s Thunderbirds. I thought Ford did a really great job with the retro look on these. Recently completely by accident I came across a kit from this generation. I had no idea they had ever made a model of these Thunderbirds, so I picked it up immediately and put it near the top of my to do list. This is a very simple snap together toy like kit, but I am very happy with the results and just excited that I now have one of these ‘birds on the shelf. 

Actually there were two versions of this kit. The one you have I believe is the concept car, which would be a 1999. There is another later one labeled 2003 Thunderbird Convertible which seems to be pretty much the same except it has side marker lights. The boxes are very similar for both.

I have a New Thunderbird I've had in the works since 2001 or so. It is a mostly complete Neiman Marcus edition, but I decided it needed side markers. Now I do have a 2003 body that I need to strip so I can get if finished up.

 

With side markers: REVELL 85-1924 1/25 2003 Ford Thunderbird Convertible

Without side markers: Wheels of Fire New Thunderbird Revell | No. 85-1916

[Sonorandog]

14 minutes ago, SSNJim said:

Actually there were two versions of this kit. The one you have I believe is the concept car, which would be a 1999. There is another later one labeled 2003 Thunderbird Convertible which seems to be pretty much the same except it has side marker lights. The boxes are very similar for both.

I have a New Thunderbird I've had in the works since 2001 or so. It is a mostly complete Neiman Marcus edition, but I decided it needed side markers. Now I do have a 2003 body that I need to strip so I can get if finished up.

 

With side markers: REVELL 85-1924 1/25 2003 Ford Thunderbird Convertible

Without side markers: Wheels of Fire New Thunderbird Revell | No. 85-1916

Very informative thanks.  Knowing that the kit was made from the concept car clears a mystery for me.  If you look at the panel lines on the rear quarter you will see the kit and real car do not match.  I was wondering why, but now I know.  Thanks again

[ReduitRetro]

Nice job!

[JollySipper]

That turned out nice! Thank you for not putting the graphics on the side..........

I would love to find one of these kits, I would paint it that lovely Bronze color they could be had in..........

 

[STU111]

Nice work. Yours is certainly proof that snap kits can be built into a good looking model.??

[espo]

Great looking T-Bird. Clean looking finishes and body trim. Had a neighbor who bought one when they first came out. Never understood why they didn't stay popular at the time.   

[slusher]

Very Nice Thunderbird'

[ChrisR]

Very nice!

[ncbuckeye67]

Very nice! Some snap kits look better than a lot of glue kits (especially the older MPC & AMT offerings).

[Sonorandog]

Thank you everyone.  I think after this one I will be more inclined to pick up a simple snap kit when I see an interesting one.  It was fun to just focus on the interior and a coat of paint.  Assembly time on this was about 5 minutes.  Very nice change of pace.  I currently have three projects that keep requiring a lot of redo work.  This was pure fun compared to those.

[XYHARRY]

I never go with what a kit looks like on the box but rather what it will look like once it's built. Well done Steve and I'm glad you deleted those awful graphics. 

Cheers, 

David. ??

[ewetwo]

I like that Thunderbird also. Ford did well.

[mrm]

This actually looks great and it definitely exceeds what my expectations would be just looking at the box. Great job. 

[Sonorandog]

Thanks. The box had set my expectations low.  It was a pleasant surprise. 

 

[PappyD340]

Great looking Tbird!

[Kenmojr]

Cool build...

I recall Chip Foose customized one of these and called it the Speedbird...

https://www.chipfoose.com/speedbird/