The Thunderbird was flying high back in 1978 when personal luxury offerings were still a thriving market segment and the car maintained its good-looking lines outside, which found more than 350,000 happy customers for this model year alone. That all changed not much later when it got a redesign in 1980, with Ford introducing a new T-Bird with some major downsizing and a more square-looking appearance that managed to capture the attention of less than half the number of buyers the car did just a couple of years prior. And it’s understandable when you look at the beautiful body styling of this 1978 Ford Thunderbird here on Craigslist, with timeless elegance that still retains its appeal all these decades later, so if you’ve been on the hunt for a seventh-generation example this one’s bound to please. The car’s in Sagamore Hills, Ohio, and can be yours for $10,900.
We’d like to say thank you to Barn Finds reader Tony Primo for his excellent tip here! This one’s a beauty and the seller claims that the 22,000 miles showing on the odometer is accurate, yet we don’t get one single piece of information regarding the car’s history or circumstances surrounding why it’s seen so little time on the road. But even so, the photos seem to speak for themselves as the body looks nearly immaculate, and if that’s the original paint and vinyl roof it all still looks stellar to be at the 45-year mark.
The interior photos reveal a similar preservation, with the dash appearing to be in excellent shape and that vinyl bench seat not looking like it’s been occupied for more than the stated mileage. The A/C is not presently blowing cold, but the compressor does kick on so hopefully it won’t be a major ordeal to get it functioning again. We also get a couple of shots from the inner lower door section, sometimes an area where surprises like to hide, but it all seems A-OK and even the weather stripping looks good.
Ford offered a choice of three different V8 engines in their Thunderbird for ’78, beginning with a 302 and going up to 400. This one’s got the middle-of-the-road 351, and if it’s been properly maintained likely has thousands of good miles remaining, as the seller claims his car runs and drives like new. There are also new rotors and brake pads on the front plus a fresh set of tires, so I’m thinking this one’s ready for some driving and probably won’t take long to attract a buyer. What are your thoughts on this 1978 Ford Thunderbird?
While I have to admit this T-Bird is indeed in near pristine condition, I’m not a fan of the styling. Too boxy with too many sharp corners and I never cared for the colonnade styling. However, I’m sure it’s a fine car and the price is more than reasonable. I’m sure there plenty of folks who would love to have it.
Good job Mike.
When I think of the 77-79 T-Bird, I think of the importance of styling and (especially) marketing. Take the existing Gran Torino/ Elite, dress in in T-Bird styling cues, call it a Thunderbird, and price it reasonably, and Ford ended up with a strong seller in the then-popular personal luxury market. I always liked the styling. If I would have been in the target market at the time, I would have likely had one.
With the wheel covers, bench seat, column shift, and base instrumentation, it looks like how many were trimmed in their day; i.e., it’s not a fancy model. But it is clean and tidy and isn’t very expensive.
Put a 3.08 gear ⚙️ in. Done. Drive it.
Stan, you really have to change your name to Stan The Rear Gear Man! What ratio are you running in your car?
Lol 3.31 Primo.
I had a 1978 Cougar XR7 that was essentilly te same car. Min had the 351m clevland motor. Great car, drove it 265K miles until it was totaled in a head on collision. We walked away but the driver of the firebird that hit us had to go to the hospital. They were solid cars.
Also owned a ‘78 Cougar XR7, baby blue, white vinyl and interior. Recently married , I traded in a ‘71 Camaro RS for that car. Still kicking myself for that one. 😄
Wow, very nice, and not too overpriced. The 351 isn’t impressive, but it’s gotta be an improvement over the pitiful, pathetic 302 I had in a 78 LTD. Get the A/C working, preserve and enjoy!
This one doesn’t have a great number of options. However, it’s still in incredible condition. I remember how popular these were at the time. I have owned one – the only Ford I’ve ever owned. It rode very well. Even though it was downsized fo 1977, it was still a rather large car. I thought the styling was great. You could get these really optioned up. Mine had cruise control, velour seats, power windows, and road wheels. But there were so many more options you could have gotten. It’s understandable why they downsized these again in 1980, that version of the car didn’t sell well at all. Then they did a complete overhaul of the car for 1983 – and sales took off again.
Nice car. Drove many of this body style when introduced. Fairly smooth riding. However, not much you can do with them from a visual perspective. But imo one of the best ways to sharpen this body style up is too add a set of Magnum 500’s.
This is a nice example of a base model. They were pretty reliable and comfortable. They would rust in the very back. If you had one that had been through salted winter roads, the rear bumpers would rust and sag. Thus appears to be a good buy compared to what else is available at this price point. Take it and run!!
I bought a 77 same color in Sept. 76. 400 cu.in. and power everything, loved that car. I cannot believe the number of 77-79 thunderbirds that do not have power windows! Really, crank windows in a Thunderbird?
My buddy’s father bought one of these, crank windows and all. He was the biggest cheapskate that I have ever met in my life. Moved up from a Plymouth Fury sedan. These cars are nowhere near a Monte Carlo or Grand Prix of the same era.
Gm cars were junk back then! This even a base model out rode and certainly out towed those models. My 78 I shoulda kept it! One of the most reliable birds I’ve had!! Crank windows? Who had crank windows?? Not mine! Mine ended up t-boned and I stripped it out and used the parts on my mustang.
The entire reason for their success was that they now were within reach of the average Joe and Jane. You could now have T-bird style without Mark -V price.
I had a 77 with 351 that worked great. It was not a rocket, but a beautiful highway cruiser. I am not a fan of the colour, or the wheel covers. I liked the dark red, code 2m if I recall, with matching vinyl roof, or the dark blue on the sport models that had the chamois vinyl roof. Darker colours made the car look smaller. One thing that is a killer on these vehicles, are the ones modified with a continental spare. Just my opinion.
I can not believe i haven’t seen 1 of these or a ’77 cutlass in ages. They were all OVER the place back then!
Back then when 1 broke & you could not raise the window & a flooding rain came, you WISH you had crank windows – i have seen some GM cranks still working after 55 years! Good laff at little plastic wheel(s) that broke on ’90s(& newer?) cars feeding a power window cable.
Due to already replacing the rotors and brake pads on the front, I would question the 22,000 actual miles.
The car is 45 years old, Bill.
Rotors warp quicker when they sit than when in use. And would you re-instal the original pads?
Girard Ford
450 W Thames St, Norwich, CT Braking systems are comprised of various components, including rotors. Rotors are large metal discs that can be seen behind the wheels of the car. Rotors can sometimes appear to warp, leading many drivers to question why this occurs or if this is a significant problem.
Rotors cannot really warp. Automotive experts note that rotors are metal discs that are cast under extreme heat conditions. It would take a similar application of heat by the braking system for rotors to bend, which is impossible. Other factors make rotors appear to be warped, so describing such rotors as “warped” is an easy way to explain the problem to vehicle owners.
For brakes to work correctly, brake pads must be applied squarely and evenly against the rotor. But friction can cause some brake pad materials to form residue on certain areas of the rotor, eventually contributing to uneven rotor surface levels. Some spots become thicker, while others may thin out.
Drivers’ own habits, including their braking tendencies, can contribute to uneven rotors. For example, riding the brakes for prolonged periods of time can cause hot brake pads to “paint” the rotors. So constant braking should be avoided.
I parked my winter beater outside from May until October. Never drove the vehicle for 6 months. When I went to use it in the fall, the brake pads had rusted against the rotors. I had to change all 4 rotors and pads. So I would not question brakes being changed on an older vehicle.
I had the same thoughts.
Those sales numbers for a car available in one body style are incredible. Ford really nailed it with these cars. I always liked them – and found the styling attractive. For whatever reason, they seemed to last longer than the Torinos they were based on. There were many more of these still running around in the 80s.
Hard to believe just 10 years later the best selling passenger car was the Escort, and didn’t sell all that much more than this Thunderbird did.
Looks like the exact same car I had when I was stationed at Ft. Rucker, AL. years ago. I wished I had kept that car, it was one of the best cars I ever had.
I’m always in a quandary with vehicles like this. I remember a LOT of cars from my earlier days–50’s, 60’s, 70’s, 80’s–which I thought at the time were awful pigs. This is one of those. I’m glad it’s been preserved, I guess, but the only thing that’s interesting about it is its age and state of preservation.
So when the brake pads (paint) the rotors, that’s the same as being warped!
Rotors cannot really warp. Automotive experts note that rotors are metal discs that are cast under extreme heat conditions. It would take a similar application of heat by the braking system for rotors to bend, which is impossible. Other factors make rotors appear to be warped, so describing such rotors as “warped” is an easy way to explain the problem to vehicle owners.
For brakes to work correctly, brake pads must be applied squarely and evenly against the rotor. But friction can cause some brake pad materials to form residue on certain areas of the rotor, eventually contributing to uneven rotor surface levels. Some spots become thicker, while others may thin out.
I’m not sure what you’re asking, Connecticut mark.
Without regards for miles, an old car needs upgrades .
Brake lines. Hoses. Belts.
Although it looks like it’s in pristine condition, I just can’t get past the malaise era period for this car.
I learned to drive in my parents mint green 77 T bird. Just looking at that interior again after all these years brings back familiar memories. These were everywhere in the 80s and I can’t remember seeing one on the road in years..maybe 10 plus years..glwta
When Mark said the brake pads paint the rotors-he meant that the pads scrape the rotors so hard, they look like someone painted them. Thus, it’s time for new ones.
In the 1978 LTD and T-Bird, you could get a 460cid 2V with 160 hp and 319 ft/lb torque. The LTD could get a 460-4 with 202 hp and 348 ft/;lb of torque.
460 Fords are awesome John. 👌
Why would ANYBODY get the 460 2 bbl!
Was the available 4 bbl a better mpg GM quadrajet, like installed on some early 70’s Torinos for lower emissions?!