Whether you’re a fan of the Ford T-Bird, there is no denying that this one is the iconic image we all picture when we think of a barn find. We all have different tastes, so the car we picture might be different, but the overall scene is the same. There is a mountain of junk piled around it, dust everywhere, and just enough light that you can make out the general shape and condition of the car. This Thunderbird has been in the care of the same owner since ’69 and has been parked since 1974, so assume it will need work. It has been repainted once from Coral Sand to its current Gunmetal Grey, which still looks good. The seller doesn’t provide much information, so I would recommend having it inspected closely. If you’ve always wanted a first generation Thunderbird, find this one here on eBay in Buffalo, New York with bidding currently at $13k. So what car do you picture in your dream find?
I once drove a ’56 T-bird back in 1977 when it was for sale (for $6k) on an import used car lot. If you’ve never sat in one you’d be surprised that the seat is NOT adjustable and the steering wheel (also not adjustable) is right up in your face, almost against your chest. I was also surprised by the narow space between the lower corner of the windshield and the back of the seat…you had to screw yourself in a very particular fashion. Not difficult but certainly not natural.
Since then I’ve thought I’d like to own one of these someday but prices kept going up so it never happened… -_-
I think it would have been interesting to see how things turned out if the the Thunderbird had remained a two seat sports car and competed with the Corvette over the years.
I see in the ebay ad the original color is coral sand. I suspect this gunmetal gray looked really cool when they made the switch many years ago, but today it certainly needs to go back to its original color…imho… so retro!
I agree with you.And it will look good back in its original color,I like paint to be original or repainted in the original color,But I do personaly like the paint on this car.
My dad bought a ’57 Bird for my mom in April of ’62, a car that I still own. Of course back then my sister and I begged to drive it often and were trusted to take good care of her when we did. I found that I could override the carb vacuum operated secondary activation by installing a machine screw on the linkage which was removed before I returned home with the car. Great memories of driving it while in high school and feeling so “special”!
Here’s a link to a site about the development of the T-Bird:
http://www.edmunds.com/ford/thunderbird/history/
Ours was optioned with the 245 hp 312 ci engine with fully electric adjustable seat and telescoping steering shaft. I have the top stored and drive it topless when weather permits.