Ford’s sixth-generation (’72-’76) Thunderbird grew to such gargantuan proportions, especially after the federal five MPH bumper standard was enacted, that I took to calling them “Blunderbirds”. With the introduction of the seventh generation (’77-’79), I thought, well, that’s a size improvement but when I examine this very clean 1979 subject, courtesy of Tony P., I’m thinking maybe it’s not so much more compact than its predecessor. It still looks like a surprisingly outsized coupe, at least as I remember this edition. Sometimes things are just relative so let’s examine this 38K mile example of Ford’s personal luxury car. It’s located in Omaha, Nebraska and is available, here on craigslist for $8,500.
OK, some quick math, this ’79 ‘Bird is 218″ long, stretched over a 114″ wheelbase, and weighs in at 4,000 lbs. Its ’76 predecessor managed 226″ in length while utilizing a 120″ wheelbase and tipped the scales at 5,000 lbs – yeah, that’s a notable slimming. As for specifics, this T-Bird appears to be a base-level trim and not a Landau or Heritage version. As noted earlier, it’s extremely clean with a deep white finish, lustrous chrome, and non-deteriorated vinyl side trim. The listing is about as light as they come so it’s just a fair guess, but a likely one, that this big Ford has seen a lot of garage time. I have wondered about the purpose of the slender B-pillar opera windows. I can’t say that they enhance the looks of this car but I guess they help with lane changes.
Under that great plaines-sized hood is a 133 net HP, 302 CI (5.0 liter) V8 engine working, and I imagine really working with this car’s bulk, via a C4 three-speed automatic transmission. No word regarding running prowess but the seller does state, “New gas tank, sending unit, fuel pump, carburetor, ignition module, coil, plugs, distributor cap and rotor.”
The interior is not imaged in detail but what can be seen looks smart with its red vinyl upholstery covering a front split bench seat. The only surprise that I can note are window cranks so this T-Bird rolls with manually operated windows. Apparently, you had to move up to the Landau or Heritage editions to get standard power lifts though they were an option on this base bird.
There you have it, and you can have it for $8,500 which seems like a solid buy if this is the sort of car that you’re jonesing for. As I have stated so many times before, we won’t see big two-door, V8-powered models like this Thunderbird darken our automotive doorway again. Get ’em while you can, right?
Beautiful, look at the rear glass treatment, pure elegance. 👌
I’d add some sway bars, Motorcraft 4-Barrel, dual exhaust, leave the tall 2.75 gear ⚙️ alone, crank down those big windows and head for a sunny highway 😎
Why modify it? It’s perfect as is!
Fair enough 👌 JDC. It’s a very nice car.
At just over 2tons on the toledo’s.. they are lumbering beasts.
I think the modifications would spruce up the driving experience a bit. Cheers 🍻
Look at the thin windshield pillars too – no way this would meet today’s gov requirements & why there are so many ugly things on the road that are hard to see out of, with the last 2 Camaros being THE worst.
clean and nearly a simple version T-Bird that carried the name but not the flare of T-Bird tradition. I’m think’n bout a replacement road trip car (been a territory road warrior since the early 70’s) and the current version of what’s out there just doesn’t fit the image. This one almost does and is a good candidate that hopefully needs little to make it road worthy, presentable, reliable and fitting the image of an 80+ year old “flat land peddler” (big territory in the Pacific Northwest where the land isn’t all that flat). Think’n bout posting a bid.
We had a 78′ with the 351M
Nice ‘bird. Equipped as Ford envisioned when they chose to compete in the lower price personal luxury bracket. Looks to have tilt column which was not common on Ford products at the time.
It ‘s getting to the point nowadays that a lot of the dealer’s “stock” cars are hitting the sale sheets. These were the ones on the lot that were plentiful due to the fact that they were not “limited” editons or high performance muscle cars made in small quantities. I’m including Mustangs, Cougars, Barracudas, Challengers, etc. Back in the day, the cars on the dealer’s showroom floors were mostly well, or totally optioned rides with prices to match. Then, the salesman would usher you out to the lot, where you usually ended up selecting one with 1 “preferred option package XX”, so you could go home and brag to your neighbors about the tilt wheel, or the A/C and how you beat the salesman down and also got a king’s ransom for your trade-in. Look at all the Marti reports where it says “STOCK”. You’ll get the idea.
Try to parallel park that baby. I know there is not as much of that as it once was. It can be done though. I ownex a 79. Pretty car.
Or worse, try to parallel park a ’71-73 mustang fastback with a heavy v8 or a superbird/daytona – each with manual steering & no passenger door mirror.