Conceived by George Walker (pictured above) and designed by William P. Boyer, the Thunderbird created a new “personal luxury” class of car (essentially a luxury car with a sports car soul). Boyer expertly combined sleek design cues like a simulated air scoop and engine turned dashboard with standard Ford design elements including stubby tailfins and egg-crate grills. The car was different enough to capture the imagination of Americans and helped to transition American car design from passenger toting boxes to envy inspiring machines.