2003 Thunderbird Supercharged Concept
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2003 Ford Thunderbird Supercharged Concept Car. As a result of the huge popularity and unprecedented media acclaim for the newly introduced 2002 Thunderbird, Ford decided to gauge consumer interest in a performance-tuned version of the iconic two-seat sports roadster. The 2003 Supercharged Concept was a joint development of Ford’s ‘Living Legends’ Design Studio and the FPG as a potential addition to FPG’s future product portfolio. “The Supercharged Ford Thunderbird concept combines America’s ultimate dream car with an enthusiasts ultimate dream engine under the hood,” said Mike Zevalkink, Ford Motor Company’s Ford Performance Group director at the time. “Thunderbird offered us an excellent basis to leverage product excitement even further with our performance expertise.” With 390 horsepower on tap, the Ford Thunderbird 3.9 liter V-8 engine transformed the vehicle’s character from a grand touring car into a performance-minded sports roadster. The supercharger setup offered peak horsepower at 6,000 RPM and 390 foot pounds of torque at 3,500 RPM, giving the Thunderbird concept car impressive power and acceleration capabilities. Ford’s powertrain engineers began the supercharged concept’s transformation with a stock 3.9 liter DOHC modular engine from the standard Thunderbird. Then, all-new aluminum headers were fitted along with a roots-style supercharger to provide the necessary thrust. “Achieving 390 horsepower from a relatively modest 3.9 liters is a testament to the engine’s efficient use of technology,” said Dave Szczupak, then Ford Motor Company vice president of Powertrain Operations. “The raw power of this most powerful Thunderbird ever is intoxicating to sample , but our designers have made the Supercharged Ford Thunderbird just as exciting visually as it is to drive.” The design team, working in concert with the Ford Performance Group, gave the supercharged Thunderbird concept an equally appealing underhood appearance to match the powerful exterior design. Details like a polished high-flow intake pipe and Gloss Red cam covers with carbon fiber coil covers accentuate the engine design. The ‘Thunderbird’ script is inscribed across the cam covers. A carbon fiber radiator cover housing and integral supercharger air filters completes the display. The all-new power dome hood provides visual differentiation and functional engine cooling for the supercharged engine. Chrome was liberally applied to the 16 forward-facing surfaces on the hoods twin air extractors, with the engine’s Gloss Red cam covers visible through slots in the louvers. A new more prominent grille is finished in the same chrome as the hood’s twin air extractor louvers. Air intakes have been placed in the grille openings used for the driving lights on the production Thunderbird. Chromed air intakes also grace each front fender, but are larger in size than the production vehicle, with all-new cut down rear view mirrors in color keyed housings. Reworked front and rear bumpers complement the one inch lower suspension, white 18-inch tires on custom 16-spoke aluminum wheels anchor the vehicle to the road functionally and visually. A lockable two-piece hard tonneau cover conceals the soft, black convertible top underneath. At the rear, twin exhaust ports exit on either side of the license plate surround, seamlessly integrated into the rear bumper. Rear backup lamps have been moved from the tail lights and now reside directly above the exhausts, inset into the license plate housing. The exterior, painted cool Machine Silver, complements the Supercharged Thunderbird concept’s all-leather, chamois-tinted interior. The Supercharged concept also features generous use of polished and brushed chrome on horizontal ribs surrounding the interior, while the center stack is adorned with Machine Silver inserts. Sadly, the Supercharged Thunderbird was never put into production.
The decision not to build it for the retail public was based on the anticipated high MSRP, in the $ 50,000 price range, and a significant slowdown in Thunderbird sales by late 2003. The good news is that a number of the elements incorporated into the 2003 Thunderbird Supercharged Concept car have become a reality and are available now from Powersport-Thunderbird Specialties. The ‘California Custom’ Aluminum Grille 
https://www.thunderbirdspecialties.com/shop/classic-concept-custom-aluminum-grille/ is handcrafted from 40 individual components and polished to a mirror-like finish, and is a stunning upgrade from the thick-looking stock plastic grille. Powersport also offers a beautiful Brushed Aluminum interior Dash Kit https://www.thunderbirdspecialties.com/shop/brushed-aluminum-dash-interior-trim-package/
which echoes the look of the center stack trim in the Thunderbird Supercharged Concept car. Complete the look with Powersport’s exclusive Two-Piece hard Tonneau Cover https://www.thunderbirdspecialties.com/shop/cut-back-two-piece-flat-tonneau-cover/, with distinctive contoured edge to conform to the rear package area. Our tonneau cover can be covered in leather or vinyl to match the Thunderbird Supercharged Concept or painted to match your T-Bird’s exterior color. Browse the ‘Thunderbird Specialties’ online store to add these great custom upgrades to your 2002-2005 Thunderbird! https://www.thunderbirdspecialties.com/shop/classic-concept-custom-aluminum-grille/ https://www.thunderbirdspecialties.com/shop/classic-concept-custom-aluminum-grille/
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