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Ford's iconic Thunderbird is gone -- again.

Fifty years and some 4.3 million units after the original two-seater of 1955 emerged from Ford's styling studios to take on rival General Motors' new Corvette, production of the T-Bird ended at the Wixom, Mich. assembly plant this past summer.

This latest retro-Bird hadn't flown quite as high as Ford's hopes for it, with sales of just 55,000 units since its introduction as a 2002 model.

It proved a short-lived replacement for the last of the original Thunderbird bloodline, which was discontinued in 1997, perhaps for the same reasons as the original two-seater, which also had a short production run. It lasted just three model years before re-emerging in 1958 as a four-seater, in which configuration it seemed to suit North American tastes well through most of the next five decades.

Ford stylists had been doodling two-seaters after the Second World War in response to the interest in sports cars brought back by returning GIs; but according to legend it was a visit by Ford vice-president Louis Crusoe and stylist George Walker to a car show in Paris that kicked the T-Bird project into gear.

Eyeing the sexy European offerings, Crusoe is said to have asked Walker why Ford couldn't do something similar. Already working on it, replied Walker, who then slipped off to look for a phone to call home and get his people on the job.

Others claim it was the arrival of the Corvette in 1953 that spurred Ford into action. Either way, the car that resulted was an immediate hit and immediately relegated the 'Vette to a distant second place in sales terms.

Martin Brugmans of Oakville, Ont., now retired, was smitten by the cars as a youngster while sitting on a curb in his home town of Morrisburg, Ont., and watching a '55 roll by.

"It was the kind of car you would dream about owning one day. The cream of the crop, not something the average Joe drove," he says. He's never owned one of the original "Little Birds," but he's been a keen enthusiast ever since.

As we chat, I suddenly hear in the background "and she'll have fun, fun, fun, 'til her daddy takes the T-Bird away" from the old Beach Boys song. Mr. Brugmans had been fiddling with his computer. "Thunderbird's my middle name, I guess," he laughs.

His enthusiasm is shared by his wife, Carol. In fact, the first of a number of T-Birds they've owned was a 1966 hardtop purchased in the mid-1970s. They currently own 1958 and 1966 convertibles and a recently purchased 1997.

The 1958, the first of the "Square Birds," was purchased 15 years ago, and its restoration was completed in time for the All Ford Reunion, which also celebrated the company's 100th anniversary in Canada in Oakville this past summer. Brugmans says about 85 of the 370 or so cars at the show were T-Birds, indicating just how strong a following the cars still have.

The original 1955 Thunderbird -- the name was derived from a native American Indian legend, and a member of the design team won a new suit by suggesting it -- didn't turn out to be the sports car initially envisioned. Ford believed Americans would prefer a personal luxury car to the real (sports) thing.

The car that emerged was a racy-looking, two-seater with a removable hardtop (a soft-top was optional), that rode on a 2,590-mm wheelbase, had an overall length of 4,450 mm and weighed 1,442 kilograms.

Underneath was a separate frame with independent front suspension and a solid rear axle. It was powered by a 4.7-litre (292 cubic inch) V-8 engine producing 198 horsepower in versions equipped with the Ford-O-Matic automatic transmission. Features included a tachometer, radio and power seats.

Improvements followed for 1956, including the famous porthole side windows, better ventilation and an outside mounted spare to free up luggage space. There were also safety features such as dash padding, concave steering wheel, safety door latches, a non-shattering mirror and optional safety belts.

Handling was improved and a 5.1-litre (312 cubic inch) 225 hp V-8 added. Not much changed for 1957, the last year for the Little Birds.

The 1958s, like the Brugmans' rare convertible, were a major departure, starting with a move to a larger (772 mm longer) four-seater body and unit-body construction. These Square Birds, as they became known because of their styling, broadened the car's appeal while retaining its sporty image.

Weight went up to 1,714 kg, but power was also boosted with a 5.7-litre (353 cubic inch) V-8 making 300 hp. Equipment included individual bucket seats and a full-length centre console.

Hardtops and convertibles were offered, and in 1960, the last year for the Square Bird, it became the first American car to offer an optional sunroof.

Model year 1961 brought "projectile" styling, and in typical-for-the-times fashion, this changed about every three years up until 1983. The next major redesign was in 1989, and this model, in updated form, remained in production until the line was discontinued in 1997.

The Little Birds are much prized collectors' items, as only 53,166 were built, followed by the Square Birds, of which just over 196,000 were produced. And many survive to this day.

"For some reason, T-Birds never seemed to make it to the wrecking yard. People always stuck them out behind the barn for future consideration. There's a surprising number still on the road," Mr. Brugmans says.

So, is the T-Bird gone for good? Not likely. It's a great name and a big part of Ford's heritage. Let's just hope the next time it appears it's on a car that will better merit the degree of passion exhibited by Martin and Carol Brugmans and the thousands of enthusiasts like them who will keep the name alive in the years ahead.

globeauto@globeandmail.ca