sve thunderbird???

Topic: sve thunderbird??? (Read 7739 times) previous topic - next topic

sve thunderbird???

August 14, 2007, 02:31:46 PM

i got a copy/paste email from a buddy of mine about an sve thunderbird made in 1997...

In 1997 high performance Thunderbirds were released. The four prototypes produced by Ford's Special Vehicle Engineering division came with Cobra "R" brakes and wheels, a Tremec 5-speed manual transmission, and featured a 4.6 liter, DOHC V8 engine similar to that found in the SVT Mustang Cobra. The SVE Thunderbirds also came with a cowl hood to accommodate the Eaton supercharger sitting atop the modular motor. However, this high-performance Thunderbird was not to be, as Ford not only pulled the plug on this project, but on the entire Thunderbird/Cougar line to close the 1997 model year.

is there any truth to this? i've looked all over and can't find anything on it.

sve thunderbird???

Reply #1 – August 14, 2007, 02:48:48 PM

I heard something about that before and I think it was on http://www.tccoa.com

sve thunderbird???

Reply #2 – August 14, 2007, 02:50:21 PM

Yes it's true. One of the cars was in Carlisle this year. I took a few pics of it.
I believe they pulled the plug on the Performance T-Bird to focus on the Mustang and Lightning.

sve thunderbird???

Reply #3 – August 14, 2007, 02:52:30 PM

Quote from: 5.0willgo;168829

Yes it's true. One of the cars was in Carlisle this year. I took a few pics of it.
I believe they pulled the plug on the Performance T-Bird to focus on the Mustang and Lightning.

i must see these pics.

sve thunderbird???

Reply #4 – August 14, 2007, 02:54:10 PM

You know...web searches work wonders...

http://thunderbird.stangnet.com/svtbird.htm

sve thunderbird???

Reply #5 – August 14, 2007, 02:55:13 PM

Hell, I thought those things were all crushed.

I have an issue of Hot Rod from '97 with one of those in it, and it said in that article that two of the four had already been crushed and the other two would be shortly.

sve thunderbird???

Reply #6 – August 14, 2007, 03:01:58 PM

i knew that there was an svt t-bird, but the way he was making it seem was that svt and sve were two separate entities.

sve thunderbird???

Reply #7 – August 14, 2007, 03:08:22 PM

There was one running around where I live. It was built from the FMS catalog. They pulled the plug but you could still get all the parts. Oh ya and I want that hood.

sve thunderbird???

Reply #8 – August 14, 2007, 03:10:04 PM

I believe they also had a Talladega version of the super coupe but I can’t validate that either dose anyone know.

sve thunderbird???

Reply #9 – August 14, 2007, 03:19:37 PM

I've got an old MMFF mag with a homemade SVT T-bird in it. 4.6 DOHC Supercharged. It even say that this is the car ford should have made.

sve thunderbird???

Reply #10 – August 14, 2007, 03:35:54 PM

Just like how they should have put the 5.0HO in our Fox Tbirds. Fact is, Ford just couldnt bring themselves to have the Tbird challenge their flagship car, the Mustang.

sve thunderbird???

Reply #11 – August 14, 2007, 05:02:06 PM

Quote from: kingcars;168852

Just like how they should have put the 5.0HO in our Fox Tbirds. Fact is, Ford just couldnt bring themselves to have the Tbird challenge their flagship car, the Mustang.

And its still their problem i kinda hate the mustang for this reason.

sve thunderbird???

Reply #12 – August 14, 2007, 05:05:31 PM

A SVT T-Bird concept was out there (for possible production for 1998), but when the MN12 platform was killed, so were the plans for the SVT.

http://www.tccoa.com/articles/clipings/tbirdarticle.jpg

http://www.tccoa.com/articles/clipings/thunder.jpg

sve thunderbird???

Reply #13 – August 14, 2007, 05:07:06 PM

Quote from: turboranger91;168835

i knew that there was an svt t-bird, but the way he was making it seem was that svt and sve were two separate entities.

They work hand in hand but the majority of the actual work is done by SVE. They do all of the engineering & prototype work. When the product is finished and ready for production it is then marketed by the SVT department.

I was looking forward to the SVT Thunderbird and was disappointed when the project was canceled.

Brent
:cougarsmily:

sve thunderbird???

Reply #14 – August 15, 2007, 08:58:27 AM

The one at Carlisle was supposedly a fifth one that was undospoogeented, sort of a prototype for the prototypes from what I understand. The others were dismantled IIRC.