Ford Thunderbird

type

 * roadster
 * sedan
 * muscle car

competition

 * grand tourer
 * stock car

series

 * Grand National
 * IMSA GT Championship
 * Trans Am Series

legacy

 * In 2002 Ford attempted to revive the Thunderbird using a model based on the first generation, including the iconic porthole. Due to its high price the attempt was shortlived.
 * The Thunderbird was Ford's vehicle of choice from the fifties to nineties in stock car racing before being replaced by the Taurus. During the eighties and nineties the Winston Cup Series Thunderbirds were also used in IMSA GTO and the Trans Am Series.

trivia

 * early models are noted for their iconic "porthole"
 * named for the bird situated atop totem poles
 * introduced to compete with the Chevrolet Corvette
 * In 1961 Ford introduced the "Bullet Bird", a more aerodynamic model to be more competitive in NASCAR
 * the Thunderbird was mentioned in the Beach Boys pop hit Fun Fun Fun
 * formed the basis for the Mercury Cougar in the seventies to nineties after taking over from the Ford Mustang