The Thunderbird’s success continued for quite some time. In 1959, the Thunderbird did not slow down in sales or popularity. It actually gained and by gained and the Thunderbird took flight.
In 1953 GM's Flagship company, Chevrolet, came out with their new Sports Car the Corvette. In direct response to the Corvette, Henry Ford created a prototype of the Thunderbird and revealed it at the Detroit Auto Show on February 20, 1954.