Whaddyacallit #200 - Solved! 1961 Budd XT-Bird prototype

[Ray B.]

An easy one for my puzzle N° 200 !
Ever seen this ?

If you did, please respond below and let us know the make and model designation of the car posted here.
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Also, please be sure to check out our other puzzles, and, please post a puzzle of your own if you'd like - the more, the merrier.
Thanks!

[Otto Puzzell]

An easy one for my puzzle N° 200 !

A laudable milestone - we've enjoyed your participation mightily, and look forward to 300, 400, 500 and beyond! 

[Ray B.]

Appreciated. See you there I hope.

[chapel]

um... isn't that just a Ford Thunderbird?
55-57

[Ray B.]

That would be too easy, wouldn't it?

[chapel]

that's what I thought.

[Ray B.]

Please note that I didn't say it was not a Thunderbird. But You can see it's not a '55-'56, not a '57. What is it?

[chapel]

58-60?

[Ray B.]

Not a 58-60 Thunderbird, if that is what you mean.

[Otto Puzzell]

Hey I just realized this is one I had ready to post (I think). I have only a front 3/4 view, which I'll gladly add when solved (if you don't already have it).

[Ray B.]

Moving up...

[hugo90]

It started life as a '57 Thunderbird, and probably got rear ended in the sixties, as it has '60 Falcon bumper, tailights and wheel opening.  Not good enough to be a Ford prototype.  What to call it?  How about Double Bird?

[Ray B.]

Interesting piece of fiction, hugo. Sorry to say, it's just this, fiction.
No, this car is more than the result of a traffic incident.

[bugo]

Budd XT-bird?

[Ray B.]

Welcome to Autopuzzles, bugo!

I think that you are on to something there. Even more, that you are right, except that I had the car under a nickname only, with no mention of Budd. But I checked and the Budd XT is probably the car. The story fits.
I am holding the point for you a whole week : can you be more precise, and possibly join another exterior shot of the Budd to be sure? The page I found gives only an interior shot.

[Ray B.]

I think that new guy bugo had it solved, but I still miss some evidence.
I am adding a front view I had, and the picture sent by Otto.

This wasn't as easy as I thought azt all !
I'll eventually give a point to bugo if he's right, one to Otto if he can link his picture to a name.

[Otto Puzzell]

I believe the point should go to bugo. The caption on the photo I sent, scanned by somebody and published somewhere I the 'net, says:

Resurrected Bird - In 1963 this Thunderbird was created for approval by Lee Iaccoca, but only on was made by the Budd company. Instead of a revived Thunderbird, Iaccoca decided to build the Mustang. This car still exists.

AUGUST 1974

[Ray B.]

Being known as stubborn, I've done what I had said: one point each. To bugo for correctly guessing the name of this prototype, and to Otto for producing evidence of the link with Budd and the only period picture Ihave bee able to find.
The whole story is easy yo find. Here are the pictures that go with it.