The eleventh generation Ford Thunderbird is a front-V8, rear-drive, two passenger convertible with an optional removable-hardtop, manufactured and marketed for model years 2001-2005 by Ford Motor Company, having debuted at the 1999 North American International Auto Show. Noted for styling strongly recalling the first generation Thunderbird, developed under the design direction of Jack Telnack, the eleventh generation was manufactured in Wixom, Michigan, with production reaching just over 68,090

efore its discontinuation in July 2005.
Series production of the Thunderbird commenced in June 2001 using the front-engine, rear-wheel-drive configuration of Fords DEW platform and a unique variant of Jaguar's 3.9 L AJ35 V8 engine producing 252 hp, rated at a torque output of 267 lbfft updated for model year 2003 to 280 hp and 286 lbfft. The eleventh generation received the Motor Trend Car of the Year award in 2002.
All Thunderbirds included standard equipment such as perforated leather-trimmed seating surfaces, dual power-adjustable bucket seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, cruise control, dual-zone automatic climate control system with air conditioning, keyless entry, security alarm system, 17-inch tires and aluminum-alloy wheels, an AM/FM stereo radio with an in-dash 6-disc CD changer and a premium Audiophile sound system with dual amplifiers for the rear speakers, a driver message center, the HomeLink garage door opener system, a glass rear window with a defroster, and automatic delay on/off front headlamps.