1980 saw the beginning of the eighth generation of the Ford Thunderbird, with some big changes introduced that resulted in a smaller car, not an unusual move at the time when automakers were focusing on fuel economy and meeting emissions standards. It was now riding on the fairly new at the time Fox platform, and the Thunderbird lost nearly half a foot of wheelbase and more than 17 inches in body length from the previous offering. But the car still fit the bill as a luxurious coupe, and if you like the styling and are looking for an exceptionally well-preserved example, this 1980 Ford Thunderbird would be a good one to check out. The T-Bird is located in Cincinnati, Ohio, and can be seen here on eBay. It’s being sold to help settle an estate and there is no reserve.
Thunderbird sales plummeted in 1980 from the prior year’s model, with only 156,803 cars sold compared to the 284,141 units in ’79, but I honestly can’t remember the last time I saw one of these body styles on the road, so in terms of a rarity there are a lot less of them than the seventh-generation cars. The seller says this is a one-family-owned example with the body appearing straight as an arrow, and that it’s still wearing most of its original Dark Blue Metallic paint, although one of the fenders and part of the hood have had an amateur respray. The trim and chrome are stated to be in great shape, and it’s also mentioned that the car has always been kept in a garage.
The Thunderbird is claimed to have only traveled 34,700 pampered miles since it was new, and judging from the way things look inside I’m not having much trouble believing that. The seats aren’t showing any rips or much wear at all, and the dash, headliner, door panels, and carpet are also stated to all be in nice shape. Everything in there is said to work exactly as it should, including the clock and even the 8-Track player, so a trip to your local thrift store for a few vintage tapes might be time well spent for the next owner to pick up some period-correct tunes. REO Speedwagon, anybody? I’m hoping the laced steering wheel cover is just for protection and not to hide something.
Powering the car is a 302 cubic-inch V8, and it’s said to start and run excellently, along with the transmission shifting properly as well. The seller considers this Thunderbird an investment-grade classic that will increase in value every year, and other than a bit of funky paint near the front it really looks like a top-tier example of an eighth-generation T-Bird. What are your thoughts on this one?
Probably the least desirable body style of Tbird,but one I’d
probably check out at a car show.When’s the last time you saw
one of these?
Looks like it’s in great shape – not driven in the Winter?
Like angliagt says, this isn’t a sought-after T-bird. After the wildly successful 1977-79 models, this downsized model never caught on. I thought the T-Bird styling cues didn’t translate well, and the resulting proportions looked off. Interestingly, when radically restyled with an aero theme for 1983 (which still looks good today), interest in the car picked back up.
That said, it is good to see one in nice shape. If you want a Fox Body of a different and rarely seen flavor, in good shape, for not much money, this would fit the bill.
As a future collector car, I don’t know about that. It does look like could be a good driver provided the price stays close to where it is.
My Grandmother had one of these. Hers was also a 1980. It was packaged similar to this blue one except she had the TRX handling package, digital dash, and a power antenna. I was a new driver then, but I got to drive hers a few times. With the TRX package it actually drove pretty well. Hers was a color called Bittersweet Glow. Also, hers only had a half vinyl roof, not the full vinyl like the blue one in this write-up. Anyone, thanks for bringing back a good memory. :)
My only beef with these is, from certain angles, the wheels look too small. Otherwise, these weren’t bad considering what they replaced.
Huh….what they replaced ? 1977-1979 T-Birds were very nice cars. No comparison.
Unlike this Fairmont/Zephyr Fox clone.
It was a Ford Fairmont in 1980, it is a Ford Fairmont now. That is why nobody wants these.
Maybe not an investment but , excellent sleeper potential .
The fully loaded models in the right color combination with the upgraded wheels and the 302ci engine, were, just, barely tolerable. They are nice in their own way, this one too. They just aren’t the collector type. When you consider that just 4yrs earlier, the T-bird was a sister to the Lincoln MK-4 with the mighty 460ci V-8, the “Let down” for big car lovers was just too fast. This one will definitely be a great car for someone who can appreciate it for what it is, a very nice car, with low miles.
Totally agree that these were a massive improvement over the previous lincoln bird. But not nearly as cool as the aero bird that replaced it. Weren’t the aero birds also on the fox platform ?
Really could use an extra foot in the wheelbase.
Definitely not an appreciating asset but still a nice older car worthy of saving from the crusher or a series of buy here, pay here lots until it eventually rusts out or is totalled. Interior looks great. It has a V8, automatic and has power assists. Doesn’t say whether the air conditioner has been updated or even works. The change to the Fox platform improved agility but infuriated fans of the bigger and heavier T-Birds and was far removed from the classic 1950s original Thunderbird styling. So collectors would not be interested.
5 digit odometer so you’re going off condition to verify miles but it would make for a nice daily my opinion the price is getting a little high
Fairbird? Thundermont?
This kind of Barn Find really gets my attention, and it has nothing to do with how rare it is or is it collectible or will ever be valuable. I am just a sucker for well kept low mileage cars. I have been lucky enough over the years to have a couple. The great thing about these finds is they are low maintenance and lots of fun to own and drive. Other than the cost to buy one, they usually don’t become money pits. Also, you can own one enjoy and maintain it and generally get allot of your money back.
I had the cousin of this vehicle. A 1981 Mercury Cougar XR-7. I called it my little Lincoln. It was a luxury car. Definitely not a sport car. My Cougar XR-7 was white with a white landau roof, and red suede interior. It was a very nice and comfortable car. Accessories / options included the underpowered 4.2L/255cid motor, AT, PS, PB, PW, electric antenna, electric seats and AM/FM cassette radio. What got my attention was how well the Cougar handled the road. It didn’t have much power, but it did grip the road very well. That’s due to the fact that it came with the TRX handling package. This included a heavy-duty sport suspension with Michelin TRX 220-55-R390 tires mounted on lightweight aluminum turbine wheels. The only problem I had with the TRX package was finding Michelin TRX tires for it. I could get the original Michelin’s recapped but could not find anyone that carried new TRX tires at less than $160 per tire and a month to ship. I ended up getting a set of Mustang rims and Cougar wire hub caps. I ended up selling the Cougar to my sister who kept it for another 5-years. I haven’t seen another Cougar XR-7 like it since then. By the way, about a month after I purchased the Cougar, I received another bill from my insurance carrier. It appears that the Cougar “XR-7” is a more valuable vehicle that a regular Cougar.
I’ve had a couple of these over the years. A base 80 with the 200 I6 and an 81 with the 302. I actually prefer these to the 77 to 79 design which always seemed too big. These had similar styling and a cooler full width taillight treatment, and retained the hidden headlights.
I’d prefer the Town Landau submodel but these were actually decent cars. Hmmm
1980 signified a horrendous change in the classic car Thunderbird.
As I’ve said in previous posts…the 1980’s was just mostly a horrid decade in
American automobiles.
This would make a decent daily driver.
My son owned one ten years ago. Its a sleeper in that as a fox body it can use a lot of mustang mods to suspension,wheels and engine mods.ive seem one of these lowered with aftermarket wheels,dual exhaust and more. Like i said you can have a great one of a kid sleep and its not hard to do.
I sold new Fords when the 1980 Thunderbird came out. After about 6 months, I refused to sell one to family or friends. Upside to Crown Vic or Grand Marquis; a lot better car with more value. I’d still kick these fox birds to the curb. Sorry.
SOLD for $6,701.
Not bad, considering what that money buys in a used car right now.
In 1981 my cousin bought a 1980 T-Bird Town Landau top of the line edition blue with light blue leather interior fully loaded with the digital dash that amazed me at that time. I had no issue with the body style especially when in my opinion were similar to the Cutlass, Grand Prix, Monte Carlo and Regal. The keyless entry was also an option he had on the car as well which was completely innovative for a domestic vehicle at that time available also on the newly designed Lincoln Continental Town Car of 1980. I thought the 1980-82 was a nicely built vehicle my cousin had no problems with the car for the three years he owned the car as he upgraded to an 80 Town Car in 1983. The 80-82 was not a Fairmont, just like an 80 Chrysler New Yorker was not a Newport or a St.Regis. Automakers didn’t differ much on exterior styling back in the beginning of the decade of the 80’s.
When desperate times hit automakers, this is the end result. The Cougar didn’t fare any better. They were ignored when new and are nothing more than a novelty today.
@ Patrick J..You’re absolutely correct. Mercury suffered beginning in 1977 when auto buyers were perplexed whether to buy a look-alike Thunderbird or Cougar. The Bird sales seemed to have faired well just on name alone, I personally was in favor of the Cougar throughout those years. I owned an 88 Cougar XR-7 5.0 I purchased in 1999. Beautiful strong luxury/sport vehicle I admired very much.
Had a friend who had one with a 331Windsor. Nice sedate white car, great little sleeper. Ate 350 bowties with regularity. Looked good doing it too.
Would prefer a 1980 2 door Fairmont Futura over this, if i could find one in as nice condition as this car.
These cars exemplify the government’s long hand reaching in and screwing up a car. CAFE and the rest of their BS, created these little monstrosities. I remember all the paid off car magazines raving about the Fairmont. I rented one, when my ’75 LTD was in the shop. The most boring car I’ve ever driven.