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(詳細はFord Thunderbird is a large personal luxury car that was produced by Ford for the 1958 to 1960 model years. While intended as the successor for the 1955-1957 two-seater, two major changes were made to attract potential buyers. Convertible and fixed-roof pillarless hardtop bodystyles were offered, whereas the first generation models had been available with a detachable glass-fibre hard top and a folding fabric top. Most visibly, the 1958 Thunderbird was nearly two feet longer as Ford had added two rear seats to the vehicle. Along with the 1958 Lincolns, the 1958 Thunderbird was the first Ford Motor Company vehicle designed with unibody construction. The new Thunderbirds were produced at a new assembly plant at Wixom, Michigan, built as part of a corporate expansion plan to increase the sales of up-market cars (Mercurys, Lincolns, and Thunderbirds). A second location was opened in Pico Rivera, California at another new location called Los Angeles Assembly. ==Background== Although the 1955-1957 Ford Thunderbird had proved successful (in comparison to the Chevrolet Corvette), Ford executives—particularly Robert McNamara—still felt its overall sales volume had room to improve. Market research suggested sales of the Thunderbird were limited by its two-seat configuration, making it unsuitable as an only car for families. As a response, Ford executives decided to add a rear seat onto the Thunderbird. The new Thunderbird had a distinct new styling theme. The design was driven entirely by the styling department and approved before the engineering was considered. The design was one of two proposals, styled primarily by Joe Oros, who later worked on the 1964 Ford Mustang. However, the losing proposal, styled by Elwood Engel, would gain its own place in Ford Motor Company history: after minor revisions, it would become the 1961 Lincoln Continental. The four-seat Thunderbird was designed with unibody construction, eschewing a separate chassis. The intent was to allow the maximum interior space in a relatively small exterior package. The 1958 Thunderbird was only 52.5 inches tall, nearly 9 inches shorter than an average American sedan; the Thunderbird had only 5.8 inches of ground clearance. To accommodate the higher drivetrain tunnel that was required in a lower car, Ford used it as a styling feature, building in a full-length center console featuring ashtrays, switches, and minor controls; as the console divided both seats, the Thunderbird was a true four-passenger vehicle. Beneath the monocoque construction, the remainder of the engineering was conventional. Ford's new 300-hp FE-series engine was used, with displacement. Standard transmission remained a three-speed manual transmission, with optional overdrive or Cruise-O-Matic three-speed automatic transmission. Front suspension was independent, with coil springs and unequal-length A-arms. The rear was initially a live axle suspended by coil springs, which were intended to be interchangeable with optional air springs that were canceled before production. Drum brakes were used at all four wheels. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Ford Thunderbird (second generation)」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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