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The 2004 Ford Thunderbird FAB 1 Concept was created for the live-action film reboot of the iconic Thunderbirds series. Designed to be a futuristic, amphibious, and even airborne luxury vehicle, FAB 1 was a bold reinterpretation of Lady Penelope’s signature pink car. While Ford took credit for designing the car, its origins were more complicated. The vehicle was originally conceived with a Rolls-Royce grille, in homage to the original FAB 1, but after Rolls-Royce declined to participate, the design was altered to incorporate Ford’s own Thunderbird styling cues. However, Ford did contribute significantly to the car’s interior design, though the full extent of their involvement remains unclear.
Built on a Cadillac chassis, the full-size driving version of FAB 1 was a functional and roadworthy vehicle. It featured a concealed license plate for real-world use and was engineered to high standards for a movie car. As in the original series, the 2004 FAB 1 was a six-wheeled, weaponized luxury vehicle, now with the added ability to fly and travel on water. Its design included mini-guns, missile launchers, hydrofoils, and a gas turbine jet engine, while the passenger compartment doubled as a life raft in case of emergencies.
Despite the impressive engineering, the Thunderbirds movie was met with lukewarm reception, and Gerry Anderson, the original series creator, strongly disliked Ford’s version of FAB 1, feeling it strayed too far from the spirit of the original. While some critics praised its execution, others found it over-the-top and impractical, especially given its sheer size and handling limitations. After its cinematic debut, the FAB 1 Concept was placed on display at the Heritage Motor Centre, serving as a curious piece of Thunderbirds and Ford history.
