What was the last year Ford Thunderbirds were made?
The last year Ford Thunderbird was produced was 2005. The nameplate has a long history, existing in two distinct production runs: the original line from 1955 to 1997, and a short-lived revival from 2002 to 2005.
Two production runs in Ford's Thunderbird history
Ford kept the Thunderbird in two separate eras: a long first run spanning several generations, followed by a brief revival in the early 2000s. The second run ended again in 2005, marking the final year of Thunderbird manufacturing.
Key differences between the two eras
During the first era (1955–1997), the Thunderbird evolved from a personal-luxury two-seat car into a larger, more diverse lineup over the years. The second era (2002–2005) brought back the Thunderbird as a modern, retro-styled two-seat roadster built on a contemporary platform, before the nameplate was retired again.
- First production run: 1955–1997
- Revival: 2002–2005
These two periods define the modern arc of the Thunderbird, with 2005 marking the final model year of its production.
Timeline of key years
The following milestones summarize the major production years for the Thunderbird nameplate.
- 1955: Ford introduces the Thunderbird, launching a new line of personal-luxury coupes.
- 1997: The original production run ends after more than four decades of Thunderbird history.
- 2002: Ford revives the Thunderbird as a retro-styled, modern two-seat roadster.
- 2005: The final Thunderbird is produced, ending the model's run.
In short, 2005 stands as the final year of Thunderbirds in Ford’s production lineup.
Summary
Bottom line: The Ford Thunderbird last rolled off the production line in 2005, following a revival period from 2002 to 2005 after the original run ended in 1997. Since then, no new Thunderbirds have been produced.
