Car Model History

Two-seat convertible · 3.9L DOHC 32-valve V8 (280 hp)

2003 Ford Thunderbird Premium Convertible 3.9L V8 5AT

Ford's 2003 factory brochure identifies the Thunderbird Premium as a two-seat convertible with the sole 3.9-liter V8 and five-speed automatic powertrain.

2003 Ford Thunderbird, eleventh-generation retro roadster — hardtop coupe, front three-quarter view
Exact 2003 Thunderbird reference photograph; exact configuration not verified ·

Photo: “2003 Ford Thunderbird hardtop (5409781275)” by sv1ambo / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0. Cropped to 16:9.

Factory configuration

What this model is

Trim
Thunderbird Premium
Body style
Two-seat convertible
Engine
3.9L DOHC 32-valve V8 (280 hp)
Transmission
5-speed automatic overdrive (SelectShift available)

Premium adds its published wheel and equipment package. The removable porthole hardtop and appearance packages remain options, not additional powertrains.

Compare related 2003 configurations

Compare up to twelve documented pairings, prioritizing the same engine, body, trim and gearbox as this car. This related selection is not a complete factory lineup.

Browse all documented 2003 configurations →

Compare 2 related configurations — current car marked
2003 Ford Thunderbird: documented configuration differences
ConfigurationEngineTransmissionBody
Thunderbird Deluxe Convertible 3.9L V8 5AT3.9L DOHC 32-valve V8 (280 hp)5-speed automatic overdrive (SelectShift available)Two-seat convertible
Current carThunderbird Premium Convertible 3.9L V8 5AT3.9L DOHC 32-valve V8 (280 hp)5-speed automatic overdrive (SelectShift available)Two-seat convertible

Configuration-specific ownership

Maintenance for this exact configuration

These items are filtered to the engine, transmission, trim, and model-year applicability recorded for this configuration. Broad Amazon category searches are suppressed here; shopping links appear only beside catalog-backed part numbers.

Service desk

What this car needs & when

Use this as a service-planning checklist for 2003 Ford Thunderbird Premium Convertible 3.9L V8 5AT. Start with the interval, confirm which engine or configuration you have, then use an exact ordering reference when one is verified.

Service topics
7
Scheduled topics
6
Applicability stated
7
Exact references
1

Before ordering Identify your engine, options and build date. Part numbers and sizes can change within one model year. Shopping links appear only for catalog-backed references; still verify the listing against your vehicle before ordering.

  • Engine oil and filterView intervals, applicability and sources

    Engine oil and filter

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 2003 · 3.9L V8 · United States

    Published interval: 5,000 mi / 6 months · Normal schedule, whichever comes first.

    Source: Ford — 2003 model-year Scheduled Maintenance Guide · Scheduled Maintenance Guide pages 10-33 — normal 5,000-mile/6-month schedule · checked

  • Engine air filterView intervals, applicability and sources

    Engine air filter

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 2003 · 3.9L V8 · United States

    Published interval: 30,000 mi · Normal schedule recurring replacement interval.

    Source: Ford — 2003 model-year Scheduled Maintenance Guide · Scheduled Maintenance Guide pages 10-33 — normal schedule · checked

  • Fuel filterView intervals, applicability and sources

    Fuel filter

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 2003 · 3.9L V8 · United States

    Published interval: 30,000 mi · Normal schedule recurring replacement interval.

    Source: Ford — 2003 model-year Scheduled Maintenance Guide · Scheduled Maintenance Guide pages 10-33 — normal schedule · checked

  • Cabin air filterView intervals, applicability and sources

    Cabin air filter

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 2003 · 3.9L V8 · United States

    Published interval: 15,000 mi · If equipped; normal schedule recurring interval.

    Source: Ford — 2003 model-year Scheduled Maintenance Guide · Scheduled Maintenance Guide pages 10-33 — normal schedule · checked

  • Spark plugsView intervals, applicability and sources

    Spark plugs

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 2003 · 3.9L V8 · United States

    Published interval: 100,000 mi · Normal schedule.

    Source: Ford — 2003 model-year Scheduled Maintenance Guide · Scheduled Maintenance Guide page 25 — 100,000-mile service · checked

  • Premium Gold engine coolantView intervals, applicability and sources

    Premium Gold engine coolant

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 2003 · 3.9L V8 · United States

    Published interval: 100,000 mi / 60 months · Initial change, whichever comes first; thereafter every 50,000 miles or 36 months.

    Source: Ford — 2003 model-year Scheduled Maintenance Guide · Scheduled Maintenance Guide pages 25 and 34 — Premium Gold coolant initial and subsequent intervals · checked

  • Engine oil filter — catalog fitmentView intervals, applicability and sources

    Engine oil filter — catalog fitment

    Exact reference available

    This manufacturer application record establishes replacement-filter fitment only; it does not establish a service interval.

    Baldwin B1435

    Baldwin B1435

    Applies to: 2003 · 3.9L DOHC 32-valve V8 · United States · Confirm the installed engine and filter housing before ordering.

    Source: Baldwin Filters — Automotive Applications catalog (2017) · Ford 2003 — Thunderbird application, printed catalog page 238, Lube column · checked

    Verified ordering references

Search results may cover different scales, trims and model years. Check each listing; this search does not establish an exact replica of the documented vehicle.

Sources

  1. Ford Motor Company — 2003 Thunderbird factory sales brochure (Ford Heritage Vault AR-96-212010.4595)

Other 2003 configurations

Filter documented 2003 configurations →