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Thanks to the movie, this classic convertible Ford T-Bird became an icon to many, providing absolute luxury and true American freedom.

The movie, Thelma and Louise, featured two female protagonists, who went on an adventure in a fabled convertible and ultimately became wanted fugitives. The 1991 movie has become a cinematic myth not only due to the stellar performances by Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis, but also because of its third lead, the 1966 Ford Thunderbird.

Once consecrated as a cult film, the devotion to this car was nothing less. Ford produced these luxury cars from 1955 to 1997, and they had a comeback from 2002 to 2005. This vehicle, in particular, was the last version of the fourth-generation of Thunderbirds that Ford had launched. T-birds have become collectibles and one of the most sought-after items of the Ford brand.

It was not one, but a large fleet of identical models used for the shooting of the film. They resold and discarded many of them, but a model signed by the actors of the cast still stands at The Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles. Let’s review why this car goes even beyond the myth.

In Thelma and Louise, two women, riding a 1966 Ford Thunderbird, flee from the law after Louise shoots a man who is attempting to assault Thelma during a trip to a fishing camp. During the entire journey, this 1966 Ford Thunderbird plays a central role. The moment where this convertible takes the lead in the movie is notable not for the car’s technical skills, but for what it symbolizes. Typically, legendary vehicle scenes feature extreme high-speed chases and in the movie, Thelma and Louise decide they’d rather die than surrender themselves while surrounded by cops at the edge of the Grand Canyon. Finally, when they realize there is no escape, Thelma says they “keep going” as they speed off the cliff in their Thunderbird. They primarily selected this car for the movie as it’s easier to photograph the actors in convertibles, so they tend to be common in television and film.

Was it the movie that immortalized the Thunderbird, or the other way around? It is a subject to debate, but the truth is that this car has become a symbol of freedom and an icon of classic cars in America.

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There were two different engines available for the Ford Thunderbird in 1966. The 3.9-liter FE V8 produced 275 hp and was available with a basic two-barrel carburetor. It generated 427 lb-ft of torque at 2,800 rpm and 315 horsepower at 4,600 rpm. The highest level of performance option was the 4.2-liter FE V8 with 345 horsepower. At 2,800 rpm, the 428 produced 462 ft-lb of torque. The 428-equipped T-Bird uses a C6 dual-range, three-speed automatic transmission. The 390 T-Bird had a three-speed Cruise-O-Matic automatic.

Front suspension was an independent ball joint and coil spring type, with longitudinal leaf springs at the rear. With a semi-floating axle type, the rear hypoid differential had a 3:1 ratio. The front wheels have 11.8-inch disc brakes, with rear 11 3/32-inch drum brakes.

The car had integral power steering and a dual exhaust system with resonators. Cooling was by a centrifugal water pump with a cross-flow radiator. The 1966 Thunderbird was 205.4 inches long, 77.3 inches wide and 52.5 inches tall with a 113-inch wheelbase. Front track width measured 61 inches, with a rear track width of 60 inches. The T-Bird’s tire size was 8.15 by 15 inches. The standard hardtop car weighs 4,582 lbs, while the convertible weighed 4,692 lbs.

Related: This Used 1988 Ford Thunderbird Coupe Is The Newest Classic Thunderbird For Sale

Ford wanted to give the Thunderbird of 1966 a more contemporary appearance, believing that the earlier models didn’t have what it took to fit the luxury car standards of that time. The fourth-generation Thunderbird, produced between 1964 and 1966, ended with this new model. The 1966 T-bird got built in Wixom, Michigan, in the United States as a luxury personal vehicle, and it was available as a two-door hardtop coupe or a two-door convertible.

The vehicle had an inclined forward-center stack that housed the audio and air conditioning controls. A diverse collection of instrumentation was also available, including a linear speedometer, a fuel gauge, and four spherical aviation-style gauges. Additionally, it had instruments for charging, coolant temperature, and oil pressure. The instrument panels had the unusual feature of padding, just like the car’s sun visors.

The 1966 T-Bird turned out to be relevant not only when they introduced it into the market, but also for the film made in 1991 and up to the present day. Nowadays, a classic Thunderbird is worth as much as a brand-new car, but why is that? A T-bird doesn't stand out so much for its performance or capacity, but for what it actually means: Thelma And Louise confirmed this car is a luxury convertible, but with the luxury of true American freedom.