New Thunderbird to be Unveiled by Ford at September SAE

    DETROIT--Aug. 28, 2001--Motoring excitement returns as Ford Motor Company introduces the new Thunderbird at the Society of Automotive Engineers September dinner meeting. The dinner program will be an informal evening of interaction with Ford's program team sharing stories of the rebirth of the Thunderbird with the audience.
    "The new T-Bird expresses a bold, confident and free feeling look that is delivered in the form of a dramatically designed, two-seat, rear wheel drive V8-powered, convertible roadster," said Jim O'Connor, president of Ford Division, Ford Motor Company.
    "When Ford decided to revive the Thunderbird nameplate, designers went to work studying the original cars of the 1950s," he explained. "The designers of the new T-Bird took great care to borrow classic styling cues, but to never lose the modern look. The car's two-seat configuration, hood scoop, round headlamps, egg-crate grille and porthole windows all pay homage to the past while employing 21st century materials, technology and design innovations. It's a modern throwback to an optimistic American era."
    The preview of the new T-Bird at SAE's kick off dinner will be held Monday, September, 24, at Burton Manor, 27777 Schoolcraft, in Livonia. A social hour, sponsored by Bentler Automotive, of Livonia, Mich., will begin at 5:30 p.m., with dinner at 6:30 and the Thunderbird story at 7:30. Reservations are required. Please call the SAE Detroit section at 248-324-4445 or register online at www.sae-detroit.org. Tickets are $30 each, $15 for SAE student members. The meeting is open to members and non-members.