I have been thinking a bit about this 1968 Ford Thunderbird that we covered last week and figured it would make for an interesting comparison to this just-discovered 1972 example. They’re considered a generation apart and have similarities but there are differences too. And our subject car, which is available here on craigslist for $9,500, seems reasonably priced for what it is. West Palm Beach, Florida is where you’ll find this long and low ‘Bird.
First up, the four-door body style got the bum’s rush with the introduction of sixth-gen (’72-’76) Thunderbird, a move likely approved by many. But the car grew too, picking up almost nine inches in length, six of it in the wheelbase, but managed to only gain about 100 lbs. – that’s a surprise! Being a ’72, this example is the last of this generation that has not been fowled by a hideous five MPH federally mandated front rammer. Beyond that, the other news was the inclusion of the humongo 460 CI V8 engine. The personal luxury coupe-buying public took to this redesign as 58K found owners in ’72.
Wearing its original finish, which I guess is “Pastel Lime”, this car makes a great presentation. The seller bought it years ago at a Barrett-Jackson auction so it was probably a rather pristine subject. The mileage is listed as being 76K miles, not a lot really, so it’s safe to say this Ford has lived a properly maintained and stored life – the listing makes mention of it always being garaged. The seller adds, “Please note the sides are straight. The chrome does not have rust or pits“. I’d give the exterior a very strong pass!
Under the western plains-sized hood is a 224 net HP 460 CI V8 engine attached to a three-speed automatic transmission. While the 460 motor wasn’t new to Ford in ’72, it was new to the Thunderbird – an option in ’72 and then standard equipment starting in ’74. I don’t know what Ford was, or wasn’t doing to meet mandated emission control standards back in those years, but 224 net HP out of a 7.5-liter V8 engine leaves a lot to be desired. I’m sure it’s a stump puller and helps to get the mass moving, but still…There’s no provided reference as to how it runs and drives – quite well I would imagine.
Inside, we’re starting to see the real confluence of a luxury car and your living room. Now this one doesn’t have the full-tilt fluffo extravaganza effect going on, yet, but that was coming. No, this cloth and vinyl mash-up is a bit more restrained. The only nit that I can pick is with one of the decorative seat buttons that looks like it has popped its top. We’re told that the dash and headliner are perfect and I’d have to place the door panels in that same category.
So, now the matter of price. I’ve read a lot of consternation lately surrounding the prices placed on a myriad of cars. Considering the thousands that I’ve looked at over the last three and a half years I would have to say that the strong, upward march has really been on since mid- 2020 – and yes, many asking prices are way out of line. But, time marches on and the old car hobby is as popular as ever, selling websites abound like never before so that’s probably driving a lot of it. As for the $9,500 price, while it’s not a steal, I still think that it’s reasonable, how about you?
These T-Birds are excellent representations of the oversized, highly-styled two-door coupes of their era. Which are completely out of step with today’s automotive preferences, but for me that is part of their attraction. Add the unusual paint scheme, and it really stands out. A plus is it doesn’t have the burden of those big bumpers. Looks to be in good shape. All of these attributes, as Jim notes, for not much money. Enjoy the cruise.
I have three big lovely Detroit boats I paid between 1200 and 6000 for each just in the last 4 years. Then I improved these cars into great drivers, and now I’ve got about 12K total on average into each car. No regrets. I drive one of them every day. Here’s a photo of the $1200 Newport, June 2019.
9500 seems like very reasonable money for a nice floaty driver like this. Go for it.
Rex Kahrs,
What a great treat you have to look forward to: which one will I drive today ??
Yours are Pennies to what the steal is to buy and finance any car/truck today.
Impressed. Enjoy & take care of them!
This ’72 looks nice.
Asking MPG would be missing the point and these ride in style. And do not look like every clone jelly bean on the road.
No idea if price is right but hope it goes to a good Home, like Rex’s.
Thanks Torino.
I hope I wasn’t coming off as boastful. I’m a cheap-ass, so I buy the cars cheap and do all the work myself. And they ain’t exactly ’63 Split window coupes. But things do add up.
My point was to say that 9500 seems like a decent price for the T-Bird, as it looks to be in nice driver+ condition, and without months of sorting and parts etc. But I enjoy the sorting and tinkering, and when that Riviera’s 401 started and idled for the first time in 30 years, I was doing my happy dance!
Cheers and thanks again for the kind words.
Yep, it’s mint.
A beautiful car and next best thing to a Mark IV for a little less money. One of my cousins had one back in the ’70s, probably was as nice as this one. Lost it to a town snowplow in Northern Maine. I have to agree with Rex Khars, this is a nice car for the ask.
Did your cousin buy a Camaro,& get hit
by a snowplow by any chance?
No, angliagt, I only had the one cousin up by Ashland back then and her T-Bird was totaled. I had a friend, a young woman, get killed by a town snowplow. I wasn’t up there at the time, and I never heard what she was driving. Damn shame, she was a good kid. These accidents happened in the early 1980s, a long time ago now.
My apologies for that remark.
Had one of these, had color coordinated wheel covers. Was all green, vinyl top and if course interior Great highway car, mileage wasn’t great but fuel was reasonable then too!
It’s so ugly I like it and I’d cruise it! Yes and as I’ve said before glass packs and dual exhaust mandatory.I think the price is a little high but nowadays probably not.
Price is fine (I’m old and frugal) love the 70’s boats. Too bad it’s in Florida. I’d have to see up close to pull plug.
IDENTICAL car I sold for Kemp Ford in 1983 on their used car lot. I was 19yrs old and loved working their used car lot. $1,000.00 bucks I made for getting rid of it. Nobody wanted these cars by 1980 because they were looked down on as “unwanted gas hogs”. I loved ‘em and sold a few other Ford cars that were from the’70s as well. Now they are beautiful again. Funny, now people will buy this 1972 Ford Thunderbird before they will buy a 1983 Ford Thunderbird. Go for it it’s a bargain! No commission necessary.
Had one of these. It was a one owner traded in to Pioneer Ford in Phoenix. Gold exterior w/brown vinyl top, brown leather interior. 1985 had 45k miles. 429, ran great. I was in the Air Force at the time. Made it into my land yacht. Would drive up to my local watering hole and through out the anchor. Another of the many I let get away over the years. Only paid $800.00 drove it for a few years and sold it for $1,500.00.
460 Fords are great. Car or truck 🙌
Back in the day, our company had 14’ cube vans with the 351 and 16’ with the 460. On the highway, the 460 got a couple mpg better probably because they were barely idling. Didn’t seem to matter if they were loaded or empty.
Owned a 72 Bird back in 1977. Longer wheelbase and much improved AC over the 72 which I also owned as thunderbird and mark iv went to the Frigidaire A6 compressor. As a note I still have a magazine with the new for 72 cars and it lists the 400 engine available in the thunderbird. I have never seen one as mine had the 429 and 460 was optional.
I meant to say much improved over the 71 that I also had
I’m calling f-o-u-l on the way the word f-o-w-l was f-o-u-l-e-d. ;)
Beautiful car, BTW. I was a high school senior when these were first available. I’ve always admired the styling and the “living room” interior.
I like it.
Boris: “I want great big American Car!”
Sequential turn signals on these?
No 71 was last year for that gimmick.
Now many cars have the sequential turn indicators…the fad returns!!
Nope, but can be adapted.
It would take alot of effort, and be scoffed at by alot of people, but I have sometimes wondered about taking a late model 460 Fuel Injected motor used in Motorhomes in the 90’s and fitting it into one of these heavy beasts. Seems like the torque available would make it a fun drive……
I have lots of weird ideas :-)
How about a 7.3L Godzilla motor (445 ci)? I like your way of thinking.
How about fuel injecting the engine that’s in this one?
My second car was a 1976 Thunderbird with a 460, fully loaded and was like driving in a sofa down the road. This 72 wasn’t much different. These year Thunderbirds behaved like a Lincon and moved like a muscle car down the road. Great find.
I loved my 72 Marquis Wagon. 460/4 C-6. Old Girl cruise all day at 70/75 and get 20 mpg on the high way and when you got to where toy were gone you didn’t feel like you needed to un fold yourself. This is a Beautiful Bird, Might need to take a little road trip and check it out
Nice car,but I want a Lincoln Mark like the king Cannon drove in his TV series.love these huge classics especially the two doors which is all you could get in 72. Good day
Nice, but I prefer the ’68 T-Bird. These were just a little too big.
I enjoy a 74 year model, mostly looks the same, in a ‘royal blue with an original white top. I don’t drink much anymore, but this fine blue beast of mine sure does. A true thrill !! Not sure I need two, but this is a beauty.
Did any ’70s t-birds or big fords or even mustangs sport a GM quadrajet? Or was it just some torinos & montegos?
I would think that carb would improve emissions – & mpg with a light right foot with their smaller pimaries.
I do not know the application list, but I believe that I do remember the QJet on the ford parts list