When even everything in the trunk is carpeted, from floor to spare tire cover, you know you’re into a car that has luxury pretensions. But how does that match up with the storied Thunderbird nameplate, which started out in the mid-1950s as a two-seat sports cruiser? That’s the question this 1978 Ford Thunderbird coupe raises, and we thank Rocco B for bringing us this tip to chew on.
Note that this is a Diamond Jubilee edition. Isn’t that for 50 years? Wait, I checked. It’s either 60 years (commemorating an occasion or event) or 75 years (institution). So let’s do the math: 1978-60=1918. Does this car celebrate the end of the Great War? Unlikely. 1978-75=1903. What happened then? Hmmm…. Ford started manufacturing cars in 1903, so that’s our answer. What the package involved was loading a T-Bird with every available option but a moon roof and engine block heater, and it boosted the on-sale price to nearly $12K, about double what a base model was in this year. The Anniversary cars came in only two colors, Diamond Blue or Ember Metallic, though a white car was offered later in production, along with a leather seating option.
This is the seventh generation of T-Bird, offered from 1977-79, and despite its apparent heft, this car was actually a downsizing from the prior generation. The nameplate was classed as a full-sized car from 1972-76 but became an intermediate in 1977. If it still looks long to you, that’s because it’s measuring in at nearly 18 feet. If it looks heavy, how about nearly 4400 lbs.? Neither dimension deterred buyers, who grabbed more 1978s than they did those of any other single year, at 352,000 units.
Before you jump, note that this car brings out a number of “What were they thinking” type notions. The split vinyl roof is a bit odd, but necessary if the thinking is, “We’ve gotta squeeze an opera window in here somewhere.” The seating surfaces look like their square shapes are too big. Some tufting might be nice and look more luxe. And there’s those wheels—how much work will it take to get the brake dust off all those tiny splines? But if you’re OK on those fronts, we can say that the outside looks good, though there’s room to add value under the hood. The engine looks like what it is—a mechanical device designed to propel more than two tons of car down the highway. Doubtless it could look better, but that’s where an enterprising new owner can roll up the sleeves and go to work. The car is available in Indiana, PA and can be seen here on craigslist for an asking number of $11,500. Isn’t that funny—just about what it sold for new. Is this the Thunderbird for you?
This generation of T-Birds were big sellers, and I assume Ford made a ton of money on them. So, for a celebration year, why not offer a model with (almost) all of the available options, provide it with even more distinctive trim, and charge even more? Today, not sure this would work, but with my 70’s glasses on, it looks wonderfully period-correct as a look-at-me cruiser. Though I do like the blue ones better.
Good job Brian.
Nice 💎 jubilee edition here w lo miles Bob. Love that roof and opera window 🪟 treatment. Perfect for the late 70s.
Would like to know what’s under the hood.
In this edition it would be the 400. There were 4 different engines available, a 302, 351w, 351m, and a 400.
I had a 1977 with the 351w loved the car and the roof design that was reminisent of the 56 Crown Victoria.
Those wheels are known as “turbine” wheels. They could be found on many custom cars and vans in the 70’s. Western Wheel and ET Mags sold a bunch of them. The 1978-1979 Camaro Z28 also offered an optional aluminum turbine wheel similar to the Thunderbird’s.
A couple months ago, I was driving around and saw a 79′ Town Landau. No vinyl top interestingly, power seats, tilt and telescoping wheel, bench seat ( i think it was cloth?.) Had tags from 99′ under a tree canopy. In pretty decent condition overall, nice pain but one of the windows was ever so cracked open so there were some leaves in the otherwise spotless interior. Reading this article really makes me want to go save it from its grave
All this, and about 12mpg on premium gas, going downhill. With a headwind, you could expect 8-9. My garage isn’t big enough.
The Diamond Jubilee celebrated the 75th Anniversary of the Ford Motor Company..I had never seen this Thunderbird model in Emberglow..The Continental Mark V offered a choice of Diamond Blue or Jubilee Gold,both of which were beautiful..
According to the ad its a 400 v8.
It also has the sports gage package which I always loved on these cars . Nice looking car. With plenty of go to cruise In style. Nice car good luck on both sides of deal.
I learned to drive in my parents green 77 Tbird. I’ve never seen another in that color ever. in fact I haven’t seen a 77-79 Tbird in person in a very long time. My grandfather had a 78 Lincoln Continental and the cars were very similar. I still remember waxing those big chrome bumpers in my parents driveway. I think the distributor gear that meshed with the camshaft disintegrated and they junked the old girl..glwta
Nice T-Bird. Is it a trick of the light or does the driver’s side door panel look like a different color from the interior?
Talk about lipstick on a pig! THIS looks more like the Mark V than a bloody T-Bird!! Have to say, I’m not a fan.
I like the regular 1977-1978 T-Birds compared this one.
The factory didn’t squeeze an opera in the pillar. It was already there when they covered up the quarter windows. Beautiful jubilee Thunderbird.
This is a nice Thunderbird. I remember them new. I was at the car show for 1978 in KC and one of these in Diamond blue was on large turntable. It looked cool. Good find and good article.
Actually $12,000 in 1978 dollars equates to nearly $58,000 today, making this car a bargain if it’s as nice as the photos suggest. I use a wheelchair and should be shopping for SUVs. However, I wonder if one would fit in that big trunk if I removed the spare…
We got married in 78′ and a 78′ T-Bird with the 400 engine was my wife’s car,dark blue with the a silver 1/4 vinyl roof.
I ordered a 1977 T-bird in June of 1977. It was delivered in August of 1977.
I ordered Jade-glow a pretty light green car. The 400 CI engine that I had ordered gave me 28 miles to the gallon on a trip from Northern Wisconsin to Mississippi and back. I thought that was good mileage for that size engine.
We got one of these jalopies with only 7500 kms , i was forced to drive it home and would have covered my face if i had been able to !
As a 16 yo , i saw these as ugly and with time my hate for them as grown , i now consider them as fugly , i hate the drive, the ride and ALL of it but did manage to flip for profit , i have never liked the boat ride of these !
Still a car lover but …
YOLO