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Production of Last Ford Thunderbird Pulled Ahead

4 September 1997

Production of Last Ford Thunderbird Pulled Ahead

    LORAIN, Ohio, Sept. 4 -- The last Ford Thunderbird
will be produced at 7 p.m. today at Ford's Lorain Assembly Plant -- about 19
hours earlier than scheduled.
    Production of the car, originally planned for 2:30 p.m. Friday, was pulled
ahead because an anticipated parts shortage did not occur, allowing production
to be completed today.  A total of 220 Thunderbirds and 80 Mercury Cougars are
being made today.  The plant's passenger car section will close after Friday,
but production of the Ford Econoline Van and Club Wagon will continue.
    More than 4.2 million Thunderbirds have been manufactured since 1955.  The
last 'Bird, a laser red model, will be donated to a Thunderbird Club.

SOURCE  Ford Motor Company