Thunderbird 2 For Sale!

By: Alex Affat, Unique Cars magazine, Photography by: Martin Peters

Date: 01.04.2019

International Rescue’s supersonic carrier, capable of 6000mp/h, up for grabs

The Thunderbird 2 was a supersonic carrier aircraft utilised by the International Rescue for heavy cargo transport; primarily vehicles, gear and equipment.

Headed by former Astronaut Jeff Tracy and made up primarily of his five sons, the Thunderbirds team were based on Tracy Island, a secret base located in the South Pacific Ocean.

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The vehicle was powered by an atomic fusion reactor and boasted a top speed of 6000mp/h, with a cruising speed of 2000mp/h, thanks to a plethora of variable-cycle gas turbine engines, turbo fans and ram jets. Maximum payload was 406 tonnes.

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Of course, this is all the lore of the hit fictional TV show that ran from 1964 to 1966. The iconic Thunderbird 2 vehicle appeared every single TV episode except for one.

You can’t buy the real thing, but this comprehensive tribute is the closest thing you’ll get!

There’s no atomic reactor, or ram jet engines; instead the mechanical underpinnings are hosted by a 1994 Toyota Previa powered by Toyota’s 2TZ-FE inline-four petrol engine and mated to a four-speed automatic.

The radical body was built by a specialist, and is a bespoke metal construction. There’s eight windows up front (with functioning windscreen wipers ahead of the driver), with two portholes on the side. Entrance and egress is made through custom gullwing doors with gas struts; with re-trimmed colour-coordinated interior and all requisite headlights, tail lights, indicators and brake lights – rendering the car fully road legal.

Out back, there’s a bed and a roof-mounted DVD player, making this one of the most unique campervans around.

The car is located in the UK, available through classic car dealer Total Headturners.

It’s listed for £34,995 (AU$64,000), check it out at TotalHeadturners.com

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