This 1988 Ford Thunderbird is sort of a one-off special edition, offered by one southern Ford dealer in limited quantities as a tribute of sorts to the legendary Bill Elliott NASCAR edition. The Thunderbird came with special body decals, a bodykit, American Racing “Saw Blade” wheels, and the classic 5.0L V8 engine. Sold exclusively though Bill Elliott Ford in Dawsonville, Georgia, you can bet there aren’t many of these left. Find it here on eBay with a Buy-It-Now of $16,890.
Around these parts, the dealer-built special edition models occasionally get an eye roll or two as they really are just cosmetic packages that add no significant value. The trouble is, the sellers of such cars hear the words “limited edition” and suddenly think they’re sitting on a gold mine. The seller of this example, Cherokee Auto Group, is well known for getting truly interesting vehicles in stock, and I’m honestly just happy to see one of these Thunderbirds still exists. The Saw Blade wheels are a great look, and have gotten increasingly hard to find – ask me how I know.
I feel as if every Thunderbird from this era has the same color interior, dripping with red cloth and plastic no matter where you look. Even in the salvage yard, Thunderbirds all seemingly have this bordello red interior. Regardless, this one is in mint condition and comes with the trick digital gauge cluster. Mileage is low at just over 51,000, and the seating surfaces appear to show next to no wear. The same goes for the steering wheel that doesn’t show any major signs of age.
It’s hard to go wrong with a 5.0L V8. If you throw an exhaust on this Thunderbird, you’ll at least get it sound more like a race car, even though there were no performance modifications made in preparing this so-called Bill Elliott edition. While I have my own opinions on these cosmetic “kits,” this one at least pays tribute to one of the greatest names in NASCAR and has some cool period add-ons – like the body kit – that has to be next to impossible to find today. Would you buy it at the asking price?
Nascar tribute with column shift automatic.
I always liked this generation of T-birds. For this particular model, with today’s eye it comes across as borderline gaudy. But for its day, it was pretty cool, realizing it was all just visual changes on a regular 5.0 automatic T-bird. So given that perspective, it’s fine with me as it fits in the “period correct” category. For sure you won’t see yourself at Cars & Coffee– unless perhaps said event is in Dawsonville.
I propose a real live showdown between this car and a Grand Prix 2+2 with it’s standard non-hi output LG4 305 4bbl. 1/4 mile, mile, slalom course (left turns only?) and braking into an orange Duck Taped rectangular area next to a crew in Home Depot purchased Tyvek suits…
Probably the last of the real NASCAR race cars, that actually resembled the type of car they were promoting. Unlike today, and drivers, you call these drivers today, DRIVERS? With a few exceptions, they just go round and round and the most exciting parts are the inevitable wrecks. Not so with this era. Bill Elliot was just one of the dozens of talented drivers, and not to forget their talented crew chiefs, when there weren’t so many rules, and a well tuned car actually had a better chance, regardless of make. These guys were our heroes and promoted the phrase, “it’s okay to trade a little paint”, meaning, sometimes aggressive behavior, without a wreck, was what was needed to win. The king of that was the late, great Dale Earnhardt. And that’s another thing, what are there 2, maybe 3 makes of race cars today? Back then, everybody got in the game, and dealer sales of the winning make usually spiked on a Monday after.
Cool find, not sure anyone will recognize the graphics or what they mean in the future, but to us, this “good ol’ boy racing”,was as good as it got.
I don’t recall seeing one of these before, nicely kept ride and with only 50 made the wow factor is pretty cool. Low mileage too. Bet it sells pretty quickly at that price!
Cherokee Auto Group Group, reminds me of the Suburban Auto Group.
https://youtu.be/AidAXgq9dWc
Ha,ha. I love the Trunk Monkey commercials! Also the Poo Pourri commercials, I don’t know how that young lady does it without cracking up.
Don’t think I saw a V8 with four lug wheels before.
One of my all time favorite cars – didn’t get my 88 until early 90, was the turbo coupe – 5 speed, amazing speed – acceleration – ride – and economy. Taught two teens to drive a stick on that car (never replaced a clutch), but did literally run the wheels off it – putting on lots of miles. Should have kept and rebuilt it, it was an amazing car. Imagine driving that sport luxury car – and averaging over 27 mpg on the road – likely almost 25 mpg over 100,000+ miles.
Yes why are there 4 lugs on those rims, 4 cylinder mustangs had them.
Actually, I believe all the Fox bodies had 4 luggers, even the 1987-93 Mustang GT/LX 5.0s and 1993 Mustang Cobra.
You are correct, almost all fox platform V8 cars (Mustang, Fairmont,T-Bird,etc.) had 4 lug wheels.
I had a 1988 LX 5.0, and it had 5 lug wheels
Really like the 83-97 ‘Birds, but this one is just too garish. Perfect for Caffeine & Octane and Radwood, though.
That’s the perfect venue for obscure inexpensive cars that don’t stand on their own merits.
Steve R
I’m usually nostalgic for any car 80’s, but the lower body kit and the 2 tone paint makes this car plain fugly.
Unfortunately my red ‘88 T-Bird was a V6. It had the same red interior as this one. Same column shifter and instrument panel. I believe the column shift and digital speedo with analog fuel and temp gauge was standard,with a floor shifter and full digital package or analog gauges optional.
Half this car really looks nice…the half that isn’t white.
Location: United States.
Thanks for the accuracy!