1963 Ford Thunderbird Re-design: What if Ford built it in 2020?

The Ford Thunderbird or T-Bird was introduced in 1954 and stretched over a total of eleven model generations. What if Ford took the 1963 Thunderbird and built it today? What would a modernized 2020 Ford Thunderbird look like? Let’s find out.
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[@EvanG529]

Not bad, but doesn't look super modern. The general shape is still 60s.

[@jaisjain]

Very true

[@moose8337]

It's how I'd want it to be tbh, it's why I love the Challenger, it still has its classic silhouette.

[@rogerharsh]

He re-designed the car. Their is diff. Between re-design and whole design

[@moose8337]

@@rogerharsh I mean you could argue that Porsche still has their 60's design while being modernized.

[@jaisjain]

It's a very nice redesign but it looks more like a resto mod. Not a production car that would be made in 2020 in my opinion. Don't get me wrong tho. It still looks very cool

[@walkingtalkingmonkey4103]

Ford would probably bring it back as a crossover 😞

[@ritarossweisse_]

Like the Mustang EV? Ouch 😌

[@FordThunderbirdForum]

Very unlikely.

[@isaac2409]

@@FordThunderbirdForum username checks out

[@ShaunHensley]

Yup, they announced a year ago that they were getting out of the car business focusing solely on trucks

[@lukeyeagley5360]

Ford Puma 😞

[@philipplampert1034]

I love your re-designs of old cars, I am going to start a new car manufacturing company and hire you as the chief designer haha

[@cemsengul16]

Haha can't go wrong with this guy as your designer.

[@Aureas2]

I can see this as a concept at any major motor show. Mixing true retro and modern beauty.

[@318Arnie]

The front of you your re-design of the Thunderbird is one of my favourite of your designs. But when I cover the back half of the car and imagine how the rear would look based on the front, I'd never come to the conclusion, that the rear wheel arch would be covered. Although the covers help the lenght of the lines that run from the front to the rear, I do find myself wondering if perhaps it would help the balance of front vs rear more if the rear arches were open, as in all modern designs. What's your opinion on this?

[@SuperSideKian]

I tried this and I see what you mean! It kind of kills the sporty/muscle car look that the front seems so heavily influenced by

[@bnjmnwst]

Well, all modern designs, other than the Honda Clarity.

[@beauxr.benoit1374]

The rear deck flaring design needs to go up and out in a slightly raised arc out of the rear corners like it does on the actual 1963 Bird.

[@tobyevans8573]

he protec he attac but most importantly he bring the Thunderbird bac

[@samuelpierce2.088]

Out of all the redesigns you've done so far, this is by far my favorite. You managed to strike a nice balance between the sleeker lines of modern sports cars and the classic, definitive lines that made the Thunderbird so unique. In many ways, this redesign actually reminds me of some cars driven by a team called the "Metal Maniacs" from some old Hot Wheels movies I still watch, which is a big plus in my book. (The American Racing Torq-Thrust II wheels really complete the package too.)

[@Schnooblers]

teku > metal maniacs

[@tellimhacim4903]

As a kid I thought the '61 to '63 T-Bird was the ultimate car design. I used to try to draw a better looking car, with no success. By today's standards, it's no longer the ultimate in car design in my updated opinion. To me, your changes made the car look like a customized 1963.

[@Zolbat]

I got an idea for a video format for you: Redesign the same car multiple times - for example (as you said) the thunderbird as an SUV, modernised etc. - and make a mini series for each car. People will get more invested in each video because it isn't a singular redesign like you usually do, instead it cross-references other videos of the same series, so people who watched one video, are more likely to watch the other redesigns of the same car

[@Nighthawk-ex2ep]

Actually a good idea

[@anthonyellison8680]

This reminds me more of a Foose restomod than what a modern production vehicle would be.

[@maureencora1]

My Pop Love the 1963 Thunderbird and Got Me a Toy One When I was 6 yrs old. R.I.P. Poppa.

[@afghantube2385]

Sir can you please modify the hummer h2 truck please

[@007heatingandair]

That's more of a beautiful custom then a feasible remake, I drove that exact same car to high school right down to the silver mink paint...great car, girls loved it.

[@ranger9047]

SketchMonkey: attempts to modernize '63 T-Bird also SketchMonkey: creates Hot Wheels/Chip Foose hot rod oh well, still cool

[@RoadRunnergarage8570]

The Ford Vega looks similar to the Shelby Cobra to me...

[@danielpawlowytsch2080]

For me it looks similar to the MGs roadsters

[@ShaunHensley]

Chevy Vega? Looks like a baby Camaro

[@P00katube]

@@ShaunHensleySeperated at Birth.....1971-77 Chevrolet Vega....and 1976-79 Holden Torana 2 door hatchback?

[@ShaunHensley]

Joseph Dugan Ha never heard of that model before, checked them out online, neat little cars but the front end looks really different from the vega edit: oh THIS version autopolis.wordpress.com/2018/04/15/holden-lx-torana-a9x-australias-best-overlooked-muscle-car/ YESSIR

[@peterrobinson7803]

You have mad skills, but sometimes you can't improve on perfection. Actually '62 is my favorite.

[@monolith2001]

So much fun to watch you go back and "correct" decisions you made earlier. I kept seeing a mouth with fangs and I could not unsee it until you chopped off the ends of the headlights.

[@m-sc]

One of you're best redesigns. I'd buy this car...

[@pratiknaik8990]

One of your best! Thanks for putting more time into this one and even touching the roof lines. You even painted the wheel reflections. The effort you put into this is noted and appreciated.

[@lasalleman6792]

Beautiful re-imagining. I've always like that model of the T-Bird.

[@ItzWallyMan1]

I want a redesigned of the 1997 Ford Thunderbird def a sleeper

[@ronwalsh]

That with its sister car the Merc Cougar.

[@ferrariwaffle5042]

I love these redesigns, but they look more like restomods than modern versions of the model. Maybe you could recreate the old model by incorporating some of Ford’s current design cues. I know that is definitely a lot more work, but I think it would be really interesting.

[@divad23]

Looks amazing. Lots of hints to the original style and proportions. Great job

[@WembysTRexArms]

IT'S BACK! And man I hope they talked to you about the design. That is slick.

[@detomazio915]

I really like your work man...keep it up!! (On a sidenote,I still prefer though the older episodes when you analysed the design and the line flow on each car...Now it looks like you are reading from wiki)

[@tjhaywood100]

I like it a lot. But it looks more like a retro-futuristic concept car than what the T-Bird would look like if it were actually designed today. But still super cool.

[@schlegs86]

Love what you did with the headlights! And great retro-remake!!

[@bb.6969]

I’d love to see a rendering of this with the top down

[@revzillo]

I think this would be perfect as a hybrid electric / petrol car in this retro style of Thunderbird 👍

[@dustermcclean2517]

Nice redesign. It would be even better if you have preserved even more of the classic look.

[@redneckkhoekhoe6511]

Hey could you redesign the aussie 1974-1978 Ford Falcon coupe, best knowen as the Mad Max interceptor?

[@kevinrowley55]

My dad walked up behind me and saw it towards the end and said " Pretty cool what they did to that Thunderbird, what is it '61 or '62?"

[@andereastjoe]

Wow!!! Very cool redesign. Bravo

[@RoadRunnergarage8570]

Beautiful Custom T. Bird!!

[@richardarcher3435]

Love your design. The 50s, 60s, and 70s in America were the golden age of car design. I'm not surprised the modern Ford Thunderbirds failed, although nice designs, they weren't Thunderbirds. Ford have done really well with the Mustang because they have kept them looking like the original Mustang, why didn't they do the same with the T-Bird? I think your design would have kept the car in production. I also think modern cars should bring back chrome and white walls, or at least give them as an option. White walls give a car such class.

[@afghantube2385]

I’ve requested this for so long and dozens of times it’s really challenging

[@ST-pr1zb]

@thesketchmonkey I ain't a designer but, the back part could have been more sharper

[@ritarossweisse_]

In my opinion if the Thunderbird is produced as a modern car today, it'll have some of the previous Thunderbird design elements and also maybe some of the modern Mustang design elements too. And that would be cool.

[@nyannaaurora]

I really like your redesign

[@noneed4me2n7]

Love the bullet bird, I think 61 to 63 was when that body’s style was done. I like some of the others but that one always stood out to me from the others. Really grabbed that future retro styling in my eyes. Wife isn’t such a fan but for me even the interior is special. I have my eye on one near me that’s completely restored by an old timer. I got too many other car projects to pull the trigger atm but I’m hoping it’s still available when I have the room.

[@shrekpacito]

Can you redesign the 1958 Plymouth Fury? In my opinion it's one of the most iconic cars ever

[@mitchelgazzaneo7674]

Fantastic Looks incredible

[@tylerlooney8058]

Holy shit, this is the most wicked ride ever yo. Id buy one on the spot if ford brought back the t-bird just like this and made it a full electric all wheel drive.

[@DanielsCarTalkChannel]

I wouldn’t mind seeing a new Thunderbird. I’d be surprised if it happened though since they already tried to bring it back in the early 2000’s.

[@andrewesau51]

One of your best works.

[@mudman6156]

I would love to see Ford build a modern version of the early 4 seat Thunderbirds. That’s a car that I would buy, as long as they didn’t shrink it down into a small car like they’ve done for practically every 2 door car these days. Coupes would be very popular if they actually had leg room in the back seats, like they used to have. Today’s coupes have no room in the back whatsoever. That’s because today’s auto manufacturers have shrunk them down way too much. Yesterday’s coupes and convertibles were some of the most beautiful vehicles ever built.

[@XboxgamerZ]

This car is epic🔥

[@Bako751]

Love it. More of a restomod than redesign but still love it

[@ginos.9771]

Very nice I hope Ford looks at this

[@uniquepieces7365]

My favourite American car, great job, very retro, very cool.👍

[@patrickmartin3322]

Ford should bring back the Thunderbird as a high performance electric car, the name is perfect

[@Dontfearthereaper001]

Awesome sketches. Ive seen your modern rendition of the ford crown vic. Could you take a later model crown vic 2001-2011 and place some 1950s styling to it? Ive wanted to try it my self but im having difficulty with modifications that work. I was trying to style it off 1955 crown vic. Keep up the good work. Thanks

[@ing.juanmanuelhernandez5078]

wow I'm fan of Thunderbird incredible design

[@germanhernandezcarrera5257]

noooooice! Looks so mean. Great side lines. Excelent idea to redesing it into a suv

[@YoastZilla]

Simply brilliant

[@OmniKidd911]

TheSketchMonkey something just hit me the other day. You should try doing a retro-design of modern cars. It'd be nice to see pop up and down headlights make a comeback even in a sketch!

[@abraraziz998]

Very happy to be here this early!Id request you to please redesign the Toyota crown

[@noisy1tv]

If this design came to life for the thunderbird I'll be the first who buy it.. crazy classic modern design 😍👍🏽

[@christopherdowdey7463]

He's having fun with his passion. Some of his concepts are marginal And some are really well done. BUT.....getting people involved in the process is fun and interesting. Fun

[@christiandudakiritita7285]

Who wants to See a redesign of the clownshoe, the bmw Z3 Coupe? Give the comment a thumb up, so that he will see it ✌🏼

[@skeets6060]

I am not a ford guy but if they built it like that I would buy one

[@nemo78]

The proportions look pretty off to me when you shortened the rear. I think you should've stretched the wheelbase and the whole car a bit so it wouldn't look so stumpy.

[@valtito9297]

i still have one of those birds! thanks

[@mr.blahblah4731]

Love this one!

[@mitchelgazzaneo7674]

GREAT JOB

[@zeruch124]

The tron-derbird Love it ♥️

[@noizyneighbour5790]

Here in the UK it's not hard to see where Ford got the basic idea for the Corsair also unveiled in 1963. Other than a single headlight as opposed to the twin on the Thunderbird - they are strikingly similar. Both fantastic looking cars in my opinion. I've owned 6 Corsair and hope to own a 7th one day! :-)

[@patrickbailey1393]

Just found you and like your work i used to have a 61 T Bird but in 68 and i wish it had looked like this I subscribed

[@MrBeugh]

I had a 1988 Turbo Coupe, which was a wonderful car. I'd love to see you update that...

[@dennishogenmiller4456]

Ford back in January 2021 registered the Thunderbird name. With current production problems, don't expect it to come out for a couple years yet.

[@johnstelluto9101]

Nice design.! I see a resemblance to the early 70's mustang in the front. I like the aluminum turbo style wheels. What do you think making rear roof line more rounder? Anyway, nice look.

[@Independencedayalien]

They should redesign vintage cars like this in the future

[@jordangeiger6168]

I absolutely love Ford Thunderbirds. Me and my family have owned many. I think from the door forward was perfect but you may want to revisit the rear end of the car. It looked like it was trying to be something else too hard if you know what I mean. The roofline on the back just didn't quite look right but hey, thats just me. Besides that everything was absolutely perfect and one of my favourite classic redesigns so far!!! Awesome work!!!

[@affecttheeffect]

A very good modification, would you change the rear circular tail lamps?

[@tomwebber9377]

To me it looks like you grafted the rear end of a 1963 Falcon onto the front end of a 63 T-bird. I'm beyond impressed with your skills at redesigning, but this misses the mark for me. We do share the same feelings on the 2002-2005 design and, as it happens, I own a very low mileage triple black with portal hardtop version of the 2002 model year.

[@rrz1104zukowski]

Fascinating that you drew off of the "Banana Bird of 1961-63. It was said that Ford Engineering even had a test mule of that one equipped with FRont Wheel Drive. That idea was cancelled, but G. M. Working on a parallel project DID bring out the Oldsmobile Toronado.

[@dj33036]

I've never heard of the third gen T-Bird referred to as the Banana Bird.

[@sergiovilelarico493]

Very nice design, but only one thing would change, the headlight, divide it in half and put the thunderbird symbol with light behind. But come on, the design is beautiful

[@blasemessina3711]

I think its a Fabulous Idea 💡 😊

[@doncarroll3822]

youre very talented..glad to have found you..

[@mravocadoman2904]

I absolutely love it

[@angeloavanti2538]

You nailed it.

[@rogerharsh]

Best 90s re-design into modern

[@RazoE]

That front end is epic. 😮

[@randallfrank5682]

I would like to see Chip Foose do a sketch work up of a 63 Ford Thunderbird.

[@jaisjain]

Nice vid. Maybe u could redesign a Hindustan ambassador as a supercar 😂 Also what happened to the bike rides while u talk about cars...it was such a good idea👍👍

[@mmundon2011]

I've owned a 1960 and 1990 T-bird SC, and when Ford announced their planned redesign for 2005, was hoping they'd embrace a more muscular, hi-performance look, while somehow retaining the spirit of the T-bird design. Unfortunately, they went with an under-powered geezer-mobile, ending the T-bird, entirely.

[@yashcham199]

Absolutely love your work!!!!!

[@Andrewatlanta]

Looks like a 1960s idea of what a 2020 car might look like. Also, the rear end vestigial tail fin looks very much like the second gen T-bird.

[@kenlichtig8024]

Remove the Tail Fins---color keyed bumpers---Interior safety equipment---padded dash---airbags--halogen headlights---V6 & EcoBoost from Mustang---Dual-Clutch Automatic Transmission just to name a few.

[@vapid3794]

Car companies Should use your designs

[@Meinstein]

As long as Ford didn''t skimp on the engine, I would buy one.

[@Marrrrtin]

I am getting a very slight Nissan-Italdesign GTR50 vibe from that front grille/bumper haha. But it is all very good looking! Great job 👍

[@hydrathedaydreamer]

The re-design looks like a hybrid. But it's a cool looking car.

[@mojo6112]

Rear looks soft and high Rest is great

[@beanza_]

Let’s see what designs we get for the 20’s! (2020’s not 1920’s)

[@Vlow52]

You're making a lot of awesome redesigns, but never changing the height of the window pillars, so it's looks kinda unproportional as for a modern cars

[@jimgray5350]

What program do you use to do the changes to the car

[@DrEEAyM]

Really liked it Hoping to see the Peugeot 206 cc and Peugeot 206 XR

[@That.cammed.d100]

You should take new models of these cars or similar ones and create an actual modern design. These are really cool but if it was a new body style that kept similar features, it’d look a lot better. For example, the Plymouth roadrunner. Take a new Dodge Challenger and create a roadrunner out of that. That’d be dope

[@igie0525]

Great love it