FORD OF CANADA DEALERS TO SELL 50TH ANNIVERSARY THUNDERBIRD

OAKVILLE, Ont. November 22, 2004 - The Ford Thunderbird, a North American icon, celebrated its golden anniversary on October 22, 2004. In celebration of the milestone, Ford unveiled a special, 50th Anniversary Limited Edition model at the Wixom Assembly Plant on November 5, 2004. Production will be limited to 1,500 units throughout North America and begins in January 2005.

The manufacturer's suggested retail price of a 2005 Ford Thunderbird is $56,775, complete with hardtop and all-speed traction control. The 50th Anniversary Limited Edition Thunderbird in its exclusive Cashmere colour, will be priced at $59,275 MSRP when it goes on sale in the spring of 2005.

"We know the 50th Anniversary Limited Edition model will become a prized vehicle for Canadian Thunderbird collectors," said Peter Jansen, Thunderbird brand manager, Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited. "We expect them to be in very limited supply here."

The commemorative 50th Anniversary Thunderbird features a gorgeous Cashmere tri-coat metallic paint with matching removable hardtop and Medium Light Stone cloth convertible top and soft boot, and 16-spoke, 17-inch wheels with an accented hub ring to match the Cashmere paint.

New coordinated interior packages include full leather Cashmere seats, and lower instrument panel trim, floor console and door armrests. An understated Soft Gold-tinted 50th Anniversary badge graces the instrument panel and 50th Anniversary insignias are embossed on the seatbacks. Each vehicle will feature a numbered commemorative plaque mounted inside the glove box.

The 50th Anniversary Thunderbird builds on the car's rich heritage -- that began with the classic, two-seater 1955 model -- and a variety of subsequent models that have become popular with collectors. Thunderbird has starred at the races, in the movies and the latest models have recaptured some of the magic of the original and are destined for a prominent place in Thunderbird and automotive history.

Previous special-edition Thunderbirds have proven highly desirable. In 2002, Ford offered 200 special-edition Thunderbirds for sale through the exclusive Neiman Marcus Christmas Book. Those 200 cars sold out in two hours and 15 minutes and are considered highly prized collector's items.