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Ford Thunderbird - Required Riding

From the same designer that brought us the gorgeous Audi TT and the beguiling VW New Beetle comes the regal, sexy and most American of roadsters, the new Ford Thunderbird. Surely, this is what the T-Bird should have been all along, and it makes us all but forget the rotund Thunderbird coupes of '80s and '90s that had us humming "Bye Bye Birdie" with no remorse. So now that it's restored to its proper glory, let's talk about just how sexy this boulevardiere is.

One look tells you that this ain't no ordinary Ford. Long lines, a low windshield, simple body contours and very little by way of body "jewelry" all contribute to a look that is compelling yet easy on the eyes. And it's no dainty flower, either, with its overall length stretching into the realm of mid-size luxury sedans. And from experience, we can tell you the attention this graceful convertible commands is rivaled by few vehicles in the world.

Speaking of mid-size luxury sedans, this one shares more than its dimensions with one of them in particular: the Lincoln LS. Ford borrowed a lot from Lincoln's celebrated sport sedan (which shares its platform with Jaguar's curvy S-Type as well), including many of its rear-wheel-drive underpinnings, suspension bits and best of all, its burbly, 252-hp V-8 engine. Although the T-Bird is tuned to ride more softly than the LS, its meaty tires help it stick to the road surprisingly well. Still, one drive is all it'll take to show you that the big 'Bird is much more about top-down cruising in a straight line; it's happy to leave apex-clipping to Porsche and BMW.

Inside, the Thunderbird's dashboard is also lifted from the LS parts bin, but flanked as it is by slabs of brushed metal and-if you so choose-contrasting interior leather colors, nothing looks cheap or out of character. Its interior styling is nonetheless somewhat less evocative of the past than its exterior, but all is forgivable given its excellent ergonomics and overall luxurious feel.

Perhaps coolest of all, you can get a removable hard top, complete with a porthole window, just like the '57.
Welcome back, you little hottie.

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