ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, ILLINOIS - Remember the sleek two-passenger coupe that appeared at auto shows nationwide a year or two ago? If you were a fan of the original Ford Thunderbird, produced in 1955-57, you surely paid close attention to its modern-day successor.

Like so many vehicles that appear at auto shows in concept form, however, the stylish T-Bird seemed to fade away somewhat after its initial unveiling. Sure, photos would resurface periodically, and Ford Motor Company has kept insisting that the car will definitely go into production. Enthusiasts and prospective buyers begin to wonder, though, when too much time elapses between a car's first blush of publicity and its actual delivery to dealerships.

Ford has taken the initiative back again, deciding to show the Thunderbird at some intriguing sites this summer, in an attempt to restroke the original enthusiasm. Late in July, the concept Thunderbird convertible turned up at the annual gathering of the Thunderbird owner's club, held at a Sheraton hotel adjoining Arlington Park race track near Chicago.

Well over a hundred 1955-57 Thunderbirds were on display outside, but plenty of club members and visitors took a few minutes to get a close look at the next Thunderbird, as it sat behind ropes inside a tent.

"A lot of people, especially that type of enthusiast, have been waiting a long time" for this car, said Mustang/Thunderbird marketing manager Mickey D'Armi. "A lot of people, since '57."

In coming up with a contemporary Thunderbird, stylists sought an aura of "relaxed sportiness." Although they borrowed a variety of notable Thunderbird cues from the mid-1950s, such as the car's reverse-wedge profile, eggcrate grille, "bird" icon, and taillight shape, it's most definitely not a replica of the original. "We were very careful not to let the car be 'retro,' " D'Armi explained, despite making use of specific "heritage" touches. The styling team, under J Mays, sought to "take the best of the styling, the design cues, and create a modern interpretation of that."

Potential owners played a role, too. "Most of the what the car ended up being," D'Armi said, "came from enthusiasts."

Ford has been reticent about releasing much information about the production Thunderbird, but D'Armi acknowledged that much of what has been published about the car has been essentially correct. Much of it, for instance, is based upon the current Lincoln LS and Jaguar S-Type. As for engines and horsepower, and other details, D'Armi noted that "we haven't let all the cats out of the bag yet."

Who will be driving home the 2002 Thunderbird? Target buyers will be "leading edge baby boomers," folks between 45 and 55 who are "looking for personal rewards" at this point in their lives and might see the T-Bird as an expression of that quest. Though "not quite retired yet," these buyers have fewer responsibilities now and an abundant income. Not many will be buying a Thunderbird as a "daily driver."

Ford expects to show a close-to-production version of the 2002 Thunderbird at the Pebble Beach concours d'elegance (for classic automobiles) in California, on August 17.