Okay, there are no prizes for those who looked at this photo and deduced that our feature car is a 1970 Ford Thunderbird. As you will see, its appearance carries a touch of menace. However, it doesn’t flatter to deceive because this classic has the muscle to back its looks. It is a turnkey proposition offering the opportunity for a new owner to fly in for a vacation and drive home behind the wheel of their new toy. The T-Bird is listed here on Craigslist in Turlock, California. The seller set their price at $14,000, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder ToddK for spotting this stunning classic.
Ford defined the Personal Luxury Car market segment with its original Thunderbird, with the badge on its Fifth Generation when our feature car rolled off the line. The Thunderbird would continue evolving through various generations before being dropped in 1997. The company staged a revival with a retro model in 2002, but it wasn’t the sales hit it sought. Therefore, the final car rolled off the line in 2005. This T-Bird is a mystery machine. The seller describes its paint shade as Green, but after I searched the 1970 Ford color charts, I failed to find a match. That could mean the car has received a change, the paint could be a Special Order, or the issue could be inconsistent light. It probably doesn’t matter because the T-Bird’s condition means the new owner will unlikely be performing touch-ups soon. The paint has an impressive shine and no visible flaws, and the new Black vinyl top is excellent. The panels are straight, and this dry-climate classic remains rust-free. The trim and glass are spotless, while the Black wheels add a touch of menace that will surely draw attention.
Lifting the hood confirms this Thunderbird has the muscle to back its appearance. The engine bay houses what the seller calls a 429 Cobra Jet V8. However, they then quote the power and torque figures of the marginally less potent 429 Thunder Jet. The worst case scenario is that the driver will have 360hp and 480 ft/lbs of torque at their disposal. If this is a genuine Cobra Jet, those figures climb to 375hp and 490 ft/lbs. Either motor will satisfy most enthusiasts, and with the three-speed automatic transmission bolted on behind, a sub-16-second ¼-mile ET is there for the taking. The seller recently added a new Holley carburetor, tires, and a dual Flowmaster exhaust. The car runs and drives perfectly, and they say they would not hesitate to drive it anywhere. The “fly in and drive home” option is alive and well with this classic.
The seller states they recently replaced the Thunderbird’s headliner, but the inference is that the remaining trim and carpet are original. The preservation level is impressive, with no serious wear or other issues that might cause the new owner embarrassment. The only question mark hangs over what might be hiding below the dash cover. That may be a preventative measure, or there might be some hidden issues. Unless the new owner seeks perfection, they could leave the cover in place and utilize the “What the eye doesn’t see, the heart doesn’t grieve over” philosophy. The seller indicates the air conditioning blows ice-cold and that this interior features an updated stereo.
This 1970 Ford Thunderbird graphically demonstrates how a single change can transform a car’s character. The original wheels and hubcaps would have helped this classic exude an air of style and luxury. The new wheels add a touch of menace, and while it isn’t a radical change, it is one that I quite like. Reversing it would be a piece of cake, and even though I consider myself a purist, I would probably leave it as-is. Would you?
I am a Thunderbird fan, I own three. 87,96, 97. I do need one from the 70s and I like this one. I love the ‘bird beak’ hood and grill although they could be a little longer. I am old school so I can’t warm up to the black wheels. Wheels on a hot rod are supposed to be chrome or mag. I would love to see how this would look with Cragar SS in maybe a 16 x 8 inch. Wish I had a barn to store this in. Someday…..
The “Bunkie”beak.
Is this the “Landau” trim pkg. True hwy flyers, 4500lbs and 2.75 gearset ⚙️ w the Cruise-O-Matic automatic. 🛣 🙌
I don’t even mind the wheels, imagine this bird sounds great w the Flowmasters and all that motor.
Bunkie Knudsen!!! Brought the beak from Pontiac lol
I had one with L60s on the rear and G60’s on the front. Unilug ET 10×15 on the back and 8×15 on the front.
1978 and I miss it terribly still. 429 Thunderjet. And it smoked many 383 Roadrunners. I would check numbers on that block if I were purchasing it.
Hey Woofer, I too love all Thunderbirds, each generation has something new, a
and yet keeps its heritage. In my opinion, the 1970 and 71 model years are my favorites, but I love them all. I had a 1970, it had the 428 in it. It was the two door fastback, it was a metallic dark copper, with padded black vinyl top. The interior was black cloth with vinyl trim. I think the dash was fantastic, I loved the round gauges with woodgrain back panel. The back seat seat was so beautiful the seat backs that wrapped around to the side panels was very luxurious, it looked classy and was very comfortable. The windshield wipers were powered by hydraulic fluid driven by the power steering pump, and was controlled by a knob on the dash that allowed multiple speeds by turning the knob. They slowed down a an idle. That, plus the wall to wall taillights with sequential turn indicators are just two of the cool features that make it so attractive. I too loved the beak, a perfect design that fit the Thunderbird name. Unfortunately I owned it during that damn 73 oil crisis, and that 428 needed a lot of gas to power it At 8 to 9 mpg, I was always sitting in gas lines. But I loved it no matter. Those Thunderbirds had beautiful styling, that really fit the Thunderbirds name. One of my other favorites are the 74, through 76 model years. They are so classy and elegant, but not really a Thunderbird style, they resemble the Lincoln Mark lVs, which is no surprise since they are platform mates. Your a lucky guy to have three of them. I’m a little jealous of you for your excellent collection.
I had a 69 t-bird with a cobra jet. I seem to like the frontend light covers. Seemed a little sportier. Regret selling it
I own this 1970 bird and the seller lied about everything nothing was original, the paint Dark green metallic . And it had a 460 instead of the 429.
It’d be a hard decision to give up this one but somewhat understandable where the owner is at-premium fuel was $5.93 @gal at some of the local convince stores a week ago.
This ‘Bird must fly out on the interstate!
Looks like a nice T-Bird. Probably has a cracked dash pad and steering wheel, these were common. But those black wheels, they would have to go. To me they look completely out of place, and cheapen the curb appeal of an otherwise attractive car.
Good write up Adam! This color looks like it could be dark Ivy green metallic with a dark base coat and the Vin verifies that it is a 360ho 429 and not the CJ. I also agree with Bob_in_TN, those black wheels have to go.
I agree 100% with Paul that this is a 429 Thunderjet. However, do not be fooled by the power rating of these motors! I owned a 1968 Bird with a 429 Thunderjet that was factory stock with A/C and had the oppportunity to put those HP’s to the test against a 1970 Buick 455 Stage.
Side by side down the roadway he kept toying with me. He was as surprised as I was when he only had be by a front bumper after a quarter mile race. He was impressed and embarrassed even though he won. These cars were so heavy that they required three hinges to support the door on the two door model. I miss that Bird but still retain a ton of great memories of her!
Hi Louis. A friend of mine had a 1970 Thunderbird with the Thunderjet engine too and it was quick considering how much it weighed. It was a good car that had a very nice smooth and luxurious ride.
I love me some Thunderbirds, practically every year, except for the one that looked like a jazzed up Fairmont. But this one gets overlooked a lot. I see more from the mid seventies at car shows than this one. Makes you wonder how good the steel was, did they all just rust away? My 1990 Thunderbird started rusting through the rocker panels the first Ohio winter after I bought it.
I agree the vin N is Thunder jet
The N code in the vin 4v 360 hpower 429
Its a nice looking ride.
I luv Tbird opera rear seats.
Those dark wheels and blackwalls compliment that big block 429’s sound with those Flowmaster’s. I wouldn’t change a thing. Scare the kid with the fart can hanging out the back of his mom’s Honda? Sure.
15hp difference betwwen a CJ and non CJ 429?somewhat negligable in my opinion.Put on a set of headers and a aluminum intake and more carb and advance the timing a degree or two.that will more than make up for that….
It has potential, might be worth a second look.
Almost a sure thing, it won’t be a CJ under the hood… the original mill would be better for this anyway.
I’m reading the specs in “The standard catalog of American Cars” They say that the Cobra-jet was a 428″ that would have a ‘Q’ in the VIN. it also lists three different 429″ engines, the Police interceptor ‘P’ has 370 H.P,. with 11.3:1 compression. Any of these engines need high octane that cost near $6.00 in California.
I had a buddy in high-school who had a 70 Torino Cobra, 429 Thunder Jet, same as this Thunderbird, with a bit higher compression ratio, but rated the same 360hp. The CJ was rated at 370hp, never put in a Thunderbird. The SCJ was rated at 375hp. And underrated
Great T-bird to rat around in. Except of course that fuel consumption thing…lol
Then I guess we better stay away from those big block cars of yesteryear, cause they all had that “fuel consumption thing”
Don’t I know. I would gladly have any of them back today.
Yblocker. Front end? This or that ’72 Cougar?
I wonder, did this have the swing away steering column like the older models?
I believe they were the typical tilt wheel by then
I owned a 69 Landau, 71 Landau, 72 Hard top, 75 Hardtop, 81 Landau. Loved each one except the price of gas! the 81 was fairly good on gas being a 255 cu in V-8.
The 429 CJ wasn’t available in a Thunderbird in ‘70, so if that’s the factory engine it is correctly advertised as a Thunderbird. No idea why the article writer even entertains the nonsense provided by the seller. The Edelbrock covers looks vaguely similar to the CJs in a thumbnail size pic, but without looking further there’s no way to know for sure what is in there. Almost certainly a confused or misleading seller.
Still, a 360hp 429 is a nice motor for that car. Just a shame about that face that only a blind mother could love. Such an awful looking front end.
Would not keep those black wheels. A nice set of 16 or 18″ chrome wires with vogue tires would set off this luxury muscle beast. A beautiful cruiser.