The Thunderbird had plenty of interior gadgets, including the sequential instrument panel turn indicator (on early 1968 cars only). An even more potent 429 CID Thunderjet unit was added in 1968, offering 360 horsepower, which quickly became the standard engine. In addition, two high-performance 427-CID engines were offered, along with the 345 horsepower 428 cubic-inch Thunderbird Special. Powering the fifth generation Thunderbird was the well-proven 390 cubic-inch big-block V8 delivering either 265 or 315 horsepower depending on the state of tune. This generation of Thunderbirds is appropriately known as 'Glamour Birds' today. Buyers had the option of the 'Cayman Grain' (fake alligator skin) vinyl roof with ornamental 'bows' on the C-pillars or a plainer two-door version. The prior unibody was replaced with body-on-frame construction, the convertible was dropped from the model line-up, and a four-door sedan with suicide rear doors was added for the first time, with the ornate Landau roof treatment also available as a two-door coupé. The fifth generation of the Thunderbird arrived in 1967, introducing another distinctive take on the personal sports coupe, complete with hidden headlamps and unusual grille treatment. The Thunderbird grew in stature and equipment with each succeeding generation, in keeping with contemporary trends, with the original lithe convertibles replaced by the much larger 'Square Birds' of 1958-1960, followed by the 'Bullet Birds' of 1961-1964 and 'Jet Birds' of 1965-1966. The first generation was available as a two-seat convertible, and conceived not so much as a sports car, rather as a personal luxury car, creating a whole new market segment overnight. The Ford Thunderbird was built in response to Chevrolet's new Corvette and introduced to the public at the 1954 Detroit Auto Show.
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