In hindsight, it’s easy to poke fun at Ford for (in some people’s opinion) losing its way with the Thunderbird in the 1970s, but it’s hard to argue with the results. When Ford upsized the T-Bird in 1972, sales increased by over 20,000 units compared to its immediate predecessor, and they stayed fairly consistent for the next couple years (with an anomalous spike to 87,000 for 1973). No, you can’t fault Ford for giving the public what it wanted in the 1970s: a plush, Lincoln-based Thunderbird for the brougham era. If you have always felt that you’d feel more comfortable living in the age of vinyl tops and opera windows, this is your chance to step back in time with a low-mileage, nearly mint ’72 Thunderbird. Being sold on eBay in Nine Mile Falls, Washington, this Red Moondust beauty has to be one of the best in the world.
This one-family-owned T-Bird has no obvious flaws; one look at the engine compartment suggests that. It has the big 460 four barrel, which punched out 224 horsepower for 1972. The seller says that it “just purrs” like only “460 engines do.” Well, I’ve heard purring Buicks, Oldsmobiles, and Cadillacs, but we can excuse a little exaggeration when the car in question is this nice. New brakes and exhaust have been installed, and the tires are newer.
OK, I take back my statement in the previous paragraph; there’s one “flaw.” It has the classic parts store steering wheel cover, but that can be forgiven. Thunderbirds were all luxury liners, and this one has all the power options you’d expect from such a fashion statement: power windows, seat, and trunk release; air conditioning; AM-FM stereo. The color is hedonistically red, with inch-thick carpet and buttoned-cloth upholstery.
The trunk is in excellent condition and even carries the original spare tire. There are no undercarriage pictures, but the seller says that “it is clean as the rest of the car.” The wide, bold taillights are a nice touch; they evoke the classic “Flair Birds” if you squint a little. You can see that this car has the “landau” vinyl roof, but no worries; the seller says that there are “no issues or bubbles.”
As an owner and fan of unibody four-seat T-Birds, I must admit that the 1972 to 1976 Thunderbird is not my first choice; however, it’s impossible to look at this pristine example and not see it for what it is, a beautiful luxury car that was perfect for its time. I’m almost nervous for the seller for offering it with no reserve, as the high bid is currently $4,250 (admittedly with five days to go). If you always wanted one of these but couldn’t afford it, or weren’t around for it when it was new, the time might be now.
Wow!!! This T Bird is absolutely stunning. To me, looking at this, its every bit as nice as a Lincoln from the same year. It even has a 460. I think even the thick carpets are the same as was used in Lincolns too but I could be wrong. This isn’t my favorite generation of T Bird, however, I would be strongly considering this one if I were in the market. Absolutely beautiful. Gorgeous color, and the color keyed wheel covers too. Very nice find, and write up too Aaron. I enjoyed it.
I agree with Aaron’s good write-up and Driveinstile’s perspective and analysis. It’s not my favorite T-Bird, but if one likes their luxobarge era, this one is hard to beat. It’s even pre-big bumpers. Check out those color-keyed wheel covers.
I got a chuckle out of Aaron’s interior comment; after my eyes absorbed the attractive dark red interior, the next thing which caught my eye was the steering wheel cover. It seems every 70’s car had one.
If the typical Craigslist and Marketplace ads were even half as good as this ebay ad….
Thanks for the compliments, guys.
Wow, this thing looks like it was never driven. Beautiful car and well presented.
That color is outstanding on this big Bird. I’d be tempted to drive it daily but that 460 ci engine is thirsty. This was never my favorite T Bird but they are growing on me.
I wouldn’t personally buy a full-size T-Bird of this vintage, but Greenlight Collectibles makes a few 1:64-scale versions that are cheap and easy to store. :)
Hey!!! I can afford one OF THOSE!!! Thats neat
It’s nice to see someone actually cleaned their car inside and out before posting it for sale. This car deserves to be sold for a good price. I’ve seen too many cars being sold for top dollar but the seller’s are too lazy to clean them up. This is a very nice thunder bird!
Jeez this appears to be a well taken care of T-Bird. The color-keyed wheel covers ALMOST make up for the loss of sequential turn signals in 1972.
This is a beautiful bird! It’s certainly nice to see one in this condition at this point in time and such a great color combo.
My parents bought a gorgeous green one of these in ’72 and I put many miles on it
once I started driving in ’73. Yes, they were big and boaty but the outstanding luxury that they surrounded you in as well as the smooth and quiet was, in my opinion, unparalleled, except for it’s Lincoln sibling, the MK IV. We had friends with Cadillacs, Buicks, Oldsmobiles that were all very very nice machines, but they couldn’t quite match the level of elegant luxury these offered and all wrapped in such a beautifully designed body. I really hope this car gets a loving home.
This is one of those T-Birds the Ford dealer would keep on the front lot to attract buyers. It is a few options short of “in the showroom-fully-optioned” cars the dealer would rarely purchase, but, my God, this is one I most probably would have ended up with, at the point of purchase.
Some one is going to get a great looking T Bird in top mechanical condition for a good price. I could just see some one cruising on Route 66 in this classy ol’ car.
Dad almost got the uglier 1973 version as a company car, complete with the opera window and Federal “Bash Beam” bumpers, but cancelled his order when the dealer (who is no longer in business, BTW) kept delaying delivery. Dad’s theory was that the company cars from his company were a fleet order, negotiated at close to invoice price, so the dealer was selling the cars from the company’s order to other customers who would pay more for the cars, then put off the fleet customers with excuses.
P.S. The 460 engine was optional, the 429 was the base engine, so the first owner of this car went for the big motor, along with many other options. The anti-smog gear was just beginning to sap power and decrease the fuel efficiency of these, but some judicious machine work and upgrades can corral the lost horses in short order, LOL!
What a good looking classic T Bird. I happen to love the 71 T Bird, yes the beaky but this 72 is awesome and I’d have no problem parking this beauty next to that new MB in between the new Audi.