T-birds still a gas for fans

The New Zealand Thunderbird Club held its convention in Dargaville at Labour Weekend, proving that the icon of US automotive technology - the Ford Thunderbird classic vehicle - still holds a fascination for many.

Ten beautifully presented T-birds lined up for a "Show and Shine" at the Boating Club car park before a drive through the main street.

Club member Katie Watts, from Waipu, said they had a good turnout of people admiring and photographing the vehicles.

She said all the cars were originally imported from the US, some had been given new paint jobs or the odd touch-up - a few had been rebuilt or refurbished in New Zealand.

"Members take it in turns to host the convention each year - this time it was Dargaville's turn," she said.

The Ford Thunderbird was introduced in 1955 to compete with the sportscar of the era, the Chevrolet Corvette.

A two-seat car with styling, creature comforts, and a powerful V8 motor, the T-bird in its various models has long been recognised as a symbol of the 50s and 60s.

The desire for a luxury car rather than a sportscar resulted in the Thunderbird being transformed in 1958 into a four-seater - the first of many changes.

The cars all had names such as Little Bird, Baby Bird, Big Bird, Squarebird, Bullet Bird, Flair Bird, Jet Bird.

Katie confessed to being a lover of classic cars, particularly the T-Bird.

"I just love the whole 1950-60s era - the music, the cars, rock 'n' roll ..." she said.

Succeeding generations of the car became larger until the line was downsized in 1977, again in 1980, and once more in 1983.

Sales were good until the 1990s, when large two-door coupes became unpopular.

Production ceased at the end of 1997, but in 2002 the Thunderbird started rolling off the assembly line again with a revived two-seat model.

It was available through to the end of the 2005, when production ceased.

Ford produced more than 4.4 million Thunderbirds in all.

World-wide, "Yank tank" lovers will continue to preserve and enjoy the classic cars.