The color of the sun
Hippo road tests the future of the Thunderbird

By Dave Karlotski
HippoPress.com

Being the circulation manager at an alternative city paper has many perks. Carrying papers is good exercise, it's always flattering to be recognized by convenience store employees and once in a while when Ford Motor Company comes to town they let me test drive the completely redesigned 2002 Thunderbird.

Five convertible T-birds sat in the rain across from NH Plaza Thursday morning, white, red, yellow, black, and a teal straight from the original ?55. I pick the yellow car, bright as a crayon sun.

At one o?clock I?m handed a set of keys. Just have it back by four, the rep says.

The new Thunderbird won?t be released to the public until later this summer; the car I?m driving is one of just 24 on the road in the whole U.S.

It?s a handsome car which borrows a lot of its design from the old ?55, another two-seat roadster and a classic beauty. Even if the shape of the new T-bird is more derivation than innovation, the ?55 had grace to spare--its style can stand a visit from the future.

I pick up a friend and we take it out to Perimeter Road and throw it back and forth around the airport, then head across town to the hills around Uncanoonuc. Despite having the smooth floating feel of a cruiser, the T-bird grips the road and pulls us out of every corner we throw it into while the V-8 lets us slam past minivans as effortlessly at 60 as at 30.

It?s power is intoxicating and I realize I?m driving like a cartoon character, slamming down the gas and stomping the brake until I can almost feel the back of the car scrunching up behind me like an accordion.

It?s a helluva car, strong and fast, but since they?re starting at 35 grand it?ll be a long time before I can trade in my Hyundai; a long time before I drive one again.

We decide it?s not raining so hard that we can?t put the top down.

It is June 21, 2001, the first day of summer. Somewhere above the clouds the sun is falling into eclipse.

Down here on the ground, I couldn't care less.