In my opinion the new T-Bird is a decent looking car, but it is too small and too weak. Really if you look at it objectively it was a real screw up. It's a car that has a miniscule market. Who wants to drive a small underpowered car ? Who did they think was going to buy it ? Surely whoever approved it is not approving anymore new cars, or at least they shouldn't be. What a colossal waste of money, it will never break even, much less actually make any money.
The idea of bringing back a "personal luxury car" is a good one, although perhaps not at this exact moment given the current economy. But, it should be large enough to fit 4 people, have a higher roof and be able to accomodate a high performance V8.
Look at the Marauder. That was a rather poorly thought out vehicle as well. That should have been built on a shorter wheelbase, lighter weight chasis and have 2 doors, not 4.
Why not develop a 2 door, shorter wheelbase version of the Panther chasis ? Or maybe a stretched Mustang chasis ?
If they built the Thunderbird on such a chasis and sold it as a sporty luxury car and then offered a high performance version, let's call it the Galaxie 500, they'd sell a hundred thousand in no time. Especially if Mercury used it for a hi-po Marauder and a luxury Cougar.
Am I the only one who see's the need for a mid-sized 2 door chasis ?
Keith