These Are The Best Cars Named After A Bird
The classics from Plymouth and Pontiac were well represented, but fictional cars from our favorite movies and shows made it on, too.
Birds make some of the best namesakes for cars because cars can, indeed, fly. Birds also make for good namesakes because it's easy for a cool-sounding car to make a schlub like Philip J. Fry feel confident by the sheer act of driving. We all know buying a car can be an emotional purchase and one word goes a long way. That word is..."thundercougarfalconbird."
Cars named after birds abound in the real world and in our favorite movies — and sometimes both, as in the case of Richard Petty's Plymouth Superbird, which was the inspiration for the great Strip Weathers from Pixar's Cars.
And, really? Not one vote for the Firebird Trans Am? Truly, one of the greatest flying cars of our time. Oh, well. I'm willing to forgive the oversight since the Honda Nighthawk made it on the list. We asked readers to tell us about the best cars and bikes ever to be named after birds and these were their answers:
Plymouth Road Runner Superbird
The first 200+ mph race car. So iconic, it's a cartoon character.
The Superbird
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Submitted by: hoser68
And...
1970 Plymouth Superbird AKA the King
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Submitted by: Bob
Thundercougarfalconbird (From Futurama)
Thundercougarfalconbird
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Submitted by: STIKleinWagon
And...
One word ThunderCougerFalconBird
Submitted by: Brian Stieh
AMC Eagle
Jumping in before someone else posts the AMC Eagle. The first full-time 4x4 car and the first American made car with 4x4. Possibly the first crossover vehicle if you want to call it that. Could be had with the straight 6 and a manual. What a beast.
Submitted by: klone121
Studebaker Hawk
Studebaker Hawk.
Submitted by: Driver Jer
And...
Came here to say this, thank you for your service. Here's a 1961 model, picture from the Studebaker National Museu
Submitted by: Gubbin
RUF CTR “Yellowbird” (Porsche 911 Carrera)
I don't care that it's a nickname rather than an official model name.
Ruf Yellowbird.
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Submitted by: smalleyxb122
Hammerhead Eagle i-Thrust
The Hammerhead Eagle i-Thrust!
AKA: Geoff.
Submitted by: CitronC
Buick Skyhawk
Buick Skyhawk
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Okay, you can stop laughing now....
But admit it, you probably forgot it existed.
Submitted by: Earthbound Misfit I
Eagle Talon
What if the brand is named after a bird and the model is named after part of a bird? I present the Eagle Talon.
Submitted by: Tim the KNinja
Ford Performance Vehicles Falcon GT
The American Ford Falcon was a bit milquetoast, the versions produced by Ford of Australia?
The 2010 Falcon GT:
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"FPV's new Falcon GT the heart of models is a supercharged version of Ford's new 5.0-liter V-8 seen in the Mustang GT in the States. It was specially developed in Australia by Prodrive. Thanks to the added supercharger, power output has been boosted to 450 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque,"
Submitted by: Earthbound Misfit I
Ford Falcon 351 GT (Modified for Mad Max)
1973 Ford XB Falcon GT 351
Submitted by: Neutral President
Ford Thunderbird
I feel required to take up for the Thunderbird SC since I recently bought this one. So much to love about the Super Coupe – the supercharged 3.8, the ridiculous amount of ahead-of-its-time tech, the understated sleeper looks, the ability to out-perform its Mustang contemporaries...
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Submitted by: Sid Bridge
And...
The obvious classic—the '57 T-bird:
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There's a masterpiece of Fifties styling. And that opera window—too cool.
Submitted by: the1969DodgeChargerFan
Reliant Robin
Is it a car if it only has three wheels?
It's so great that Top Gear attempted to send one into space.
The Reliant Robin.
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Submitted by: Half Man Half Bear Half Pig
Honda CB700SC Nighthawk
I have a soft spot for the Honda Nighthawks.
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Submitted by: MikaelVroom
Aston Martin Cygnet
Aston Martin Cygnet
Cygnets are swans
A blatant attempt to improve overall brand fuel economy in the most ridiculous way possible.
Submitted by: Half Man Half Bear Half Pig
And...
This might be the best name for a car ever. A Cygnet is a baby swan, also known as "the ugly duckling." This tiny Aston has yet to grow into a big beautiful swan.
Submitted by: Aldairion
Mercedes 300 SL “Gullwing”
How about parts of a bird? If so, I nominate the Mercedes 300 SL Gullwing. It's one of the most beautiful cars ever made.
Submitted by: BloggyMcBlogBlog
Toyota Tercel
Tercel of course. But only the 4WD Wagon.
Submitted by: Matt Mayotte
And...
Toyota Tercel – Especially the wagon!
Submitted by: You say Miata, I say Amati, lets call the whole thing off
Pontiac Sunbird
Pontiac Sunbird Wagon FTW!
Submitted by:ncted
And...
Pontiac Phoenix and Pontiac Sunbird
Submitted by: speedieone
Volkswagen Rabbit GTI
The Volkswagen Rabbit GTI.
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Everything is a bird if it fall from high enough
Submitted by: Margin Of Error
And...
I saw a rabbit fly once.
Granted, it was in the talons of a large raptor of some sort, but technically it was airborne.
Submitted by: Earthbound Misfit I