| Is it the car that makes one famous? Or is it the driver | | | | we wonder, why did such big celebrities buy the car in |
| who make the car famous? Or is it both? | | | | the first place? Was their choice influenced by the |
| The Ford Thunderbird is an American car icon that has | | | | sleekness and the quality of the Thunderbird? Or was |
| been manufactured in the United States from 1955 to | | | | it because they were influenced by the celebrities who |
| 2005. It was Ford's response to Chevrolet's Corvette, | | | | first bought it? Or was it both? How do we even try |
| but it was not sold as a full-blown sports car upon its | | | | to answer such questions? |
| debut release. Instead, Ford called it a personal luxury | | | | If I were to put my two cents in (which I will a few |
| car, a description, which opened up an entirely new | | | | words from now), I have a proposal. I think that for any |
| market segment at that time. At its introduction in 1955, | | | | of us to arrive at an answer, we must do one thing |
| it outsold the much more expensive Convertible by | | | | first: We need to experience riding this car. Yes, |
| twenty-four to one. | | | | nothing beats the sureness of experiencing something |
| At its creation, the car had many suggestions for a | | | | first hand. We need to experience what it feels like |
| name ranging from "Hep Cat," "Whizzer," "Beaver," | | | | with people watching us, greeting us, waving at us |
| "Runabout," to monikers such as "Detroiter," "Arcturus," | | | | while we are riding the Thunderbird. There is that need |
| "Savile," "Coronado," and the ever exotic "El Tigre." | | | | to be a celebrity for one to truly see for ourselves |
| The name "Whizzer" was initially being seriously | | | | which one the onlookers are checking out: the car or |
| considered as the winning model name, before stylist | | | | us. Yes, I know that proposal seems absurd, quite |
| Alden "Gib" Giberson's suggestion of the name | | | | juvenile even. But, then again, maybe not. |
| "Thunderbird" was accepted. Though it is widely | | | | That proposal is possible because the Thunderbird is |
| believed that the name comes form the Native | | | | available for rent at any sports, exotic, luxury, and |
| American symbol, it is really from an ultra-exclusive | | | | classic car rentals. And the good thing about this is that |
| housing tract named "Thunderbird Heights." | | | | many luxury and classic car rentals in town are easily |
| Retired GM executive Lewis D. Crusoe, Ford designer | | | | accessed through their websites. These websites |
| Frank Hershey, and Ford chief stylist George Walker | | | | offer services such car information, pricing and |
| are generally credited for creating the Thunderbird. The | | | | reservations. They also have other car models that |
| concept was said to be inspired by a sports car that | | | | we may experience first hand to also know what |
| the trio saw in Paris. And that sports car that gave | | | | makes these cars special. Luxury classic car rentals |
| them the inspiration is rumored to be the reputable | | | | were made to give us the experience riding a lot of |
| Jaguar XK120. | | | | cars with no need of buying them. This time we can |
| Now with the history of the ride all covered, we can | | | | answer our questions. |
| go back to our first question. Which entity attains the | | | | Now, to live the lifestyle of the rich and the famous |
| elusive nature of "fame?" Is it the car, the one riding it, | | | | doesn't seem too absurd anymore. And the best part |
| or better yet, is it both? | | | | of this is, we need not break the bank to score a ride |
| Suffice it to say, the Thunderbird has been an | | | | on a celebrity car such as the Thunderbird. There is no |
| American car icon that has been owned, driven, and | | | | need to buy the car because we can rent it. This time, |
| ridden in by some of history's most impressionable and | | | | that question of who makes which famous, remains a |
| yes, famous celebrities such celebrities such as Frank | | | | theory no longer. This time, we get first dibs on the ride |
| Sinatra, Marilyn Monroe, Arthur Miller, and Elvis Presley. | | | | itself. |
| The more "recent" throng of Thunderbird owners | | | | Experience is still the all important thing. So discover |
| include Rosie O Donnell, Halle Berry, John Travolta, and | | | | what a ride in a luxury car rental can bring you. And |
| the queen of talk herself, Oprah Winfrey. | | | | then, maybe, just maybe, you get to discover for |
| But the list itself cannot answer our question. Because, | | | | yourself a ride through the celebrity lane. |