He was delighted and hung it on the wall of his office. When finished, they presented the illustration to Walker. Kallman included Kaufman in the illustration explaining the concept to Walker, with a “pensive” Joe Oros in the background next to Lewis Crusoe, former head of Ford Division. The illustration showed a 3/4 view of a red ’61 Thunderbird with people all around it parked at the Greenbriar resort. Nelson drew the car in the illustration, Kallman did the rest. Nelson worked on an illustration with Marty Kallman, a studio designer then considered the best at drawing people and background. They decided to make a really great illustration of their proposal and present it to George Walker, head of the Styling Center, to hang on his office wall. Clever PloyĪlthough Kaufman and Nelson were disappointed, Nelson suggested a ploy Ned Nichols, his old boss at GM, had used to get his pet projects noticed. Oros listened, then told Kaufman the project was done without authorization, to stop work on it, and to destroy the model. When Oros returned, Kaufman showed the model to him and explained how it worked. So they made a fully detailed and painted small clay model of their proposal. Joe Oros was on vacation at the time, and Kaufman and Nelson knew they would have to have it done by the time he returned because it wasn’t an authorized project. Kaufman thought it was a great idea, so Nelson made a full-sized tape drawing of it. Nelson then told Kaufman one way to solve the problem was to cover the back seat with a fiberglass panel to create the illusion the 4-passenger Thunderbird was really a 2-passenger vehicle. They both thought there was still a market for a 2-passenger Thunderbird. After listening to the complaints of other designers, Kaufman and Nelson were themselves bemoaning the demise of the two-seater Thunderbird. Kaufman and Nelson got along well and had worked together before. Ken Nelson was the senior designer in the studio. In June 1961, Boyer was reassigned, and Bud Kaufman became the Thunderbird studio manager. Designers in the Thunderbird studio were also upset because everybody had given up on the 2-passenger Thunderbird. Those letters continued with the ’61 Thunderbird. was receiving letters from fans bemoaning the demise of the two-passenger Thunderbird. The Thunderbird remains a beloved classic car among collectors and enthusiasts, celebrated for its timeless styling and its role in automotive history as an emblematic representation of the evolving American automobile market.Design of the 1961 Thunderbird Sports RoadsterĪlmost immediately after production of the ’58 Thunderbird began, Ford Motor Co. Production of the Ford Thunderbird concluded in 2005, ending its rich history as a symbol of American automotive design and innovation. This tenth-generation Thunderbird paid homage to the original '55 T-Bird, featuring a classic look with modern technology. In 2002, Ford revived the Thunderbird with a retro-inspired design as a two-seater convertible. The seventh generation, produced from 1977 to 1979, was notably downsized and offered a range of V8 engine options, reflecting the era's focus on fuel efficiency. It evolved from a sporty two-seater into a luxurious cruiser with a focus on comfort and performance. The Thunderbird underwent several redesigns over the years, reflecting changes in automotive trends and consumer preferences. This design continued for the subsequent generations. The second generation, introduced in 1958, featured a larger, more luxurious body with a rear seat, transforming the Thunderbird into a four-seater. The Thunderbird quickly became popular and is credited with starting the "personal luxury car" trend in the automotive industry. It featured a sleek and stylish design, a V8 engine, and a focus on comfort and amenities. The first generation of the Thunderbird, introduced in 1955, was designed to compete with the Chevrolet Corvette. It was introduced in 1955 as a two-seater sports car and evolved over the years into a luxury personal luxury car and later a retro-styled two-seater. The Ford Thunderbird, often referred to as the "T-Bird," is an iconic American automobile produced by Ford Motor Company.
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