Ford Times "September 1978" Issue

by Richard L. Routh page 34

Event: Ford Motor Company's 75th anniversary. Assignment: To commemorate the event, design a model of a car in the Ford Division lineup that will epitomize one of the company's finest efforts in personal transportation.

"The choice was easy," said John J. Morrissey, general marketing manager for Ford Division. "The Thunderbird has been a classic from its beginning in 1954 and remains our distinguished trendsetter in personal luxury."

Result: A jewel of a car, the Thunderbird Diamond Jubilee Edition.

"Ford designers gave this special 1978-model car a collector's touch with customizing never before offered by Thunderbird," said Mr. Morrissey. "Combine their work with the quality and fine engineering that traditionally is Thunderbird, and you've got some car."

For the buyer who values the ultimate in sumptuous accoutrements, the Thunderbird Diamond Jubilee Edition is, indeed, some car -- from the outside with its thickly padded vinyl roof and highly personal, hand-painted owner's initials on the doors to the inside with its cushiony, 36-ounce cut pile carpeting and hand-stitched leather on the instrument panel and steering wheel.

The outside is further distinguished with a choice of monochromatic color in Diamond Blue Metallic or Ember Metallic and, in new color offerings introduced in late spring, a Pastel Beige with an Ember vinyl roof or a Polar White with a Diamond Blue or Ember vinyl roof. The grille, jewel like hood ornament, accent stripes, cast aluminum wheels, bumper rub strips and bodyside moldings are color-coordinated with the exterior or paint and vinyl roof combination.

Inside, the Diamond Jubilee Edition's high level of salon elegance is emphasized by unique split bench seats in biscuit-design all-cloth trim (an ultra-soft leather trim is optional) and Thunderbird ornaments in the seatbacks. It has plush center armrests, manual passenger seat recliner, front seatback and door panel assist straps, and ebony wood tone appliqués Even the trunk has special trim, molded deck lid liner and 18-once carpeting.

A power antenna is standard on the Diamond Jubilee Edition. So are the dual, illuminated visor vanity mirrors for driver and passenger. Lift the door handle and the illuminated Entry System lights up the door lock cylinder and turns on interior lights. And a pleasant chime discreetly reminds you to buckle up.

But this is only the beginning. Comfort and convenience items abound on the Diamond Jubilee Edition including a tilt steering wheel with five-position adjustment for easy entry and exit, left-and right-hand remote control dual sport

page 35

mirrors, interval windshield wipers, automatic parking brake release and trip odometer.

If it's more power you want, the Diamond Jubilee Edition comes with power side windows, power door locks and a six-way power driver's seat automatic ally adjustable to your comfort.

Then there are SelectAire conditioning, tinted glass, a Luxury Sound Insulation Package, a remote control deck lid release in the glove compartment, front cornering lamps, wide bodyside moldings and the ultimate in personalizing the interior, a 22K gold finish owner nameplate.

Making life easy for people on the move, the Diamond Jubilee Edition is standard-equipped with an AM/FM

page 36

stereo search radio. With the touch of a tuning bar, the radio automatically locates and tunes in the next listenable AM or FM station. Or the radio can be set to scan automatically across the dial, stopping at each station for about eight seconds. When yo hear a station to your liking, touching the bar again stops the scanning process.

Under the hood, Thunderbird's standard engine is a 5.0-litre (302 CID) 2V V-8 engine. Optional engines are the 5.8-litre (351 CID) and the 6.6-litre (400 CID) 2V V-8s. Each engine teams with SelectShift automatic transmission.

In addition, all Thunderbirds come with standard features such as power steering, power front disc brakes , steelbelted radia-ply tires, concealed headlamps, chrome-plated swingaway grille and front and rear stabilizer bars. Despite all the standard equipment, there are several notable options for further personalizing Thunderbird. One is the exciting T-Roof Convertible. With the tinted glass panels removed. the T-Roof recreates the open-air flair of a soft-top convertible. A popular alternative t the T-Roof is the Power Moonroof with a sliding glass panel that provides a window to the sky.

If that's not enough, consider Fingertip Speed Control, 20 different Tu-Tone paint treatments and four other audio choices including AM/FM stereo radios with quadrasonic page or cassette players and a 40-channel citizens band radio.

As Ford's national ad says, "Thunderbird is cleared for take-off with the sterling, features ad luxurious appointments that make the Thunderbird name famous." And your driving a joy.

T-Roof Convertible for open air flair

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by Richard L. Routh	page 34

Event: Ford Motor Company's 75th anniversary. Assignment: To commemorate the event, design a model of a car in the Ford Division lineup that will epitomize one of the company's finest efforts in personal transportation. "The choice was easy," said John J. Morrissey, general marketing manager for Ford Division. "The Thunderbird has been a classic from its beginning in 1954 and remains our distinguished trendsetter in personal luxury." Result: A jewel of a car, the Thunderbird Diamond Jubilee Edition. "Ford designers gave this special 1978-model car a collector's touch with customizing never before offered by Thunderbird," said Mr. Morrissey. "Combine their work with the quality and fine engineering that traditionally is Thunderbird, and you've got some car." For the buyer who values the ultimate in sumptuous accoutrements, the Thunderbird Diamond Jubilee Edition is, indeed, some car -- from the outside with its thickly padded vinyl roof and highly personal, hand-painted owner's initials on the doors to the inside with its cushiony, 36-ounce cut pile carpeting and hand-stitched leather on the instrument panel and steering wheel. The outside is further distinguished with a choice of	monochromatic color in Diamond Blue Metallic or Ember Metallic and, in new color offerings introduced in late spring, a Pastel Beige with an Ember vinyl roof or a Polar White with a Diamond Blue or Ember vinyl roof. The grille, jewel like hood ornament, accent stripes, cast aluminum wheels, bumper rub strips and bodyside moldings are color-coordinated with the exterior or paint and vinyl roof combination. Inside, the Diamond Jubilee Edition's high level of salon elegance is emphasized by unique split bench seats in biscuit-design all-cloth trim (an ultra-soft leather trim is optional) and Thunderbird ornaments in the seatbacks. It has plush center armrests, manual passenger seat recliner, front seatback and door panel assist straps, and ebony wood tone appliqués Even the trunk has special trim, molded deck lid liner and 18-once carpeting. A power antenna is standard on the Diamond Jubilee Edition. So are the dual, illuminated visor vanity mirrors for driver and passenger. Lift the door handle and the illuminated Entry System lights up the door lock cylinder and turns on interior lights. And a pleasant chime discreetly reminds you to buckle up. But this is only the beginning. Comfort and convenience items abound on the Diamond Jubilee Edition including a tilt steering wheel with five-position adjustment for easy entry and exit, left-and right-hand remote control dual sport

	page 35
mirrors, interval windshield wipers, automatic parking brake release and trip odometer. If it's more power you want, the Diamond Jubilee Edition comes with power side windows, power door locks and a six-way power driver's seat automatic ally adjustable to your comfort. Then there are SelectAire conditioning, tinted glass, a Luxury Sound Insulation Package, a remote control deck lid release in the glove compartment, front cornering lamps, wide bodyside moldings and the ultimate in personalizing the interior, a 22K gold finish owner nameplate. Making life easy for people on the move, the Diamond Jubilee Edition is standard-equipped with an AM/FM

	page 36
stereo search radio. With the touch of a tuning bar, the radio automatically locates and tunes in the next listenable AM or FM station. Or the radio can be set to scan automatically across the dial, stopping at each station for about eight seconds. When yo hear a station to your liking, touching the bar again stops the scanning process. Under the hood, Thunderbird's standard engine is a 5.0-litre (302 CID) 2V V-8 engine. Optional engines are the 5.8-litre (351 CID) and the 6.6-litre (400 CID) 2V V-8s. Each engine teams with SelectShift automatic transmission. In addition, all Thunderbirds come with standard features such as power steering, power front disc brakes , steelbelted radia-ply tires, concealed headlamps, chrome-plated swingaway grille and front and rear stabilizer bars.	Despite all the standard equipment, there are several notable options for further personalizing Thunderbird. One is the exciting T-Roof Convertible. With the tinted glass panels removed. the T-Roof recreates the open-air flair of a soft-top convertible. A popular alternative t the T-Roof is the Power Moonroof with a sliding glass panel that provides a window to the sky. If that's not enough, consider Fingertip Speed Control, 20 different Tu-Tone paint treatments and four other audio choices including AM/FM stereo radios with quadrasonic page or cassette players and a 40-channel citizens band radio. As Ford's national ad says, "Thunderbird is cleared for take-off with the sterling, features ad luxurious appointments that make the Thunderbird name famous." And your driving a joy.

T-Roof Convertible for open air flair