This Thunderbird is really bizarre in the way as it mirrors the original. The original car was too heavy and required a supercharger to be competitive. It also didn't last long as a two seater. Ford made it a fourseat luxury/sport to really get sales out of it.
If it were up to me I would build a Thunderbird that was more Cobra like in function if not appearance. In fact, splash Shelby's name on it for good measure and shoe horn the biggest engine possible or supercharge it.