Ford Mustang | MustangWorks.com - Ford to offer Limited Edition "007" Thunderbird

[11/05/2002] Ford to offer Limited Edition "007" Thunderbird

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DEARBORN, Mich., Nov. 4, 2002 -- Next spring, Ford Motor Company will be selling 700 Limited Edition "007" Ford Thunderbirds to commemorate the first appearance of a Thunderbird in the 40-year history of the James Bond film franchise.

The "007" edition will have a unique white leather interior and a distinctive Coral paint scheme to match the Thunderbird driven in the Bond film Die Another Day by Academy Award-winning actress Halle Berry. The Coral paint – similar to the Sunset Coral hue offered on the 1956 Thunderbird – also matches the bikini Berry wears in her role as Jinx.

"For the ‘007’ Thunderbird, we knew we needed to develop a vehicle that would fit Halle Berry’s character of Jinx and generate buzz for the dealers and enthusiasts," said Steve Lyons, president of Ford Division. "The ‘007’ Thunderbird carries the James Bond mystique throughout its exterior and interior, creating an exclusive package fitting for any James Bond fan."

Like all 2003 Thunderbirds, the "007" edition also will feature a number of performance enhancements, including:

New variable intake camshaft timing for the 3.9-liter DOHC V-8, which helps boost horsepower from 252 hp to 280 hp while simultaneously improving fuel economy.
Electronic throttle control for improved powertrain response and refinement.
A SelectShift five-speed automatic transmission that can be shifted like a manual transmission, but without a clutch.

The "007" Thunderbird will have a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of approximately $43,000.

The Limited Edition "007" Thunderbird stands out from other 2003 Thunderbirds with its Coral body finish and a Performance White removable top. Chrome 21-spoke, 17-inch wheels match the A-pillar and trim accents.

A new Performance White interior package includes full leather solid white seats, and white-trimmed lower door panels and speaker covers. An understated "007" badge will be placed on the instrument panel, and Thunderbird insignias are located on the seat backs. Each vehicle also will feature a numbered commemorative plaque mounted on inside the glove box. The steering wheel and shift knob will be trimmed in Black Ink leather.

"The ‘007’ Thunderbird is meant to telegraph the personality of Thunderbird and Halle Berry’s character Jinx: cool, confident, very elegant, with a sense of humor," said Lyons.

Previous special-edition Thunderbirds have proven highly desirable. In 2000, Ford offered 200 special-edition Thunderbird vehicles for sale through the exclusive Neiman Marcus Christmas Book. Those 200 cars, the most ever offered through Neiman Marcus, sold out in two hours and 15 minutes and are considered highly prized collectors’ items.

Die Another Day features other Ford Motor Company products in starring roles: Brosnan’s Bond drives an Aston Martin V12 Vanquish and the villain, Rick Yune’s Zao, is in a Jaguar XKR.

Source: Ford Motor Company

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[11/05/2002] Ford to offer Limited Edition "007" Thunderbird By: -

[11/05/2002] Ford to offer Limited Edition "007" Thunderbird

By: -