Ford introduced its Thunderbird as a luxury convertible in 1955, yet by the late ’70s, convertibles had practically vanished from American show rooms, opening the door to third-party conversions like this feature car. The 1978 Ford Thunderbird in Portland, Oregon comes to market here on Craigslist as part of an estate sale. A 2018 tag sticker suggests limited recent road time. Nothing in these pictures counters the claimed 50,000 miles. It’s hard to track the value of aftermarket convertible conversions, but the $8995 asking price appears reasonable for a clean and interesting full-size drop-top cruiser in running condition. Since its operational status escaped the listing, questions remain. Thanks to reader Scott for spotting this fine-looking Ford. It’s unclear if this item sold in the auction, but let’s take a look!
Butterscotch vinyl with fabric insets looks cruise-ready. Speaking of “cruise,” those steering wheel buttons suggest this full-sized ragtop comes with cruise control. A picture at the auction site shows a close-up of the 8-track stereo system loaded with Mary MacGregor’s 1976 debut 8-track album “Torn Between Two Lovers,” an apt tribute to the swinging ’70s.
Credit someone with a fine detail job as this Ford’s brilliant red paint and the white top have this classic looking its best. The Native American thunderbird symbol adorns both tail lights, representing power, protection, and strength, according to SpiritsOfTheWestCoast. While mid-’70s to mid-’80s V8s make about the same horsepower as today’s 1.6L turbo fours, but their torque can feel satisfying even in a super-sized two-door. Real bumpers and generous crumple zones deliver on the promise of protection and strength. At 4200 lb, this red rider barely outweighs today’s bloated convertible Mustangs.
Though not mentioned, this convertible conversion likely came from ACC, American Custom Coachworks of Beverly Hills, California. Another listing at AACA suggests fewer than 100 were built. Though perhaps not destined for many Top Ten lists, this giant two-door looks like a show-ready creampuff with plenty of life left to give. Where does this converted convertible T-bird rank on your list of ’70s classics?
So sad..this car makes me cry..to each his own.cant bash someone doing something you dont like to something that is not yours ..I just wish Thunderbrids were offlimits..because..bias :D
I bought the Heritage addition when it was new but left over from the previous year. I had never had a luxury big car before, there was nothing terrible about it, I just never really fell in love with it, but this Convertible really did peak my interest. I have never seen one before. The asking price seems fair for a car you are not likely to see another one, at the local cars and coffee.
Well..they ruined that one.
Looks kind of stumpy with top up, would be nice to see top down.
Agreed the top up makes it look awkward. Top down would look so much better
I had seen one or two of these conversions before, but always wondered how the reinforced these cars with the top gone – this platform was never offered as a drop top, so there was no Ford original to use as a template. Anyone know?
I know what you mean about the conversion process with the frame. But Ford’s perimeter frames were pretty robust. So for example, my 69 Mercury Marquis convertible’s frame is only different from the sedan’s frame in having additional attaching points to the car’s body structure fore and aft. I reckon the T-bird frame might easily be upgraded by the conversion shop.
Thanks Billyray! I didn’t know that about the frames on the full-sizers, but it makes sense they would do the same for these T-Birds.
Anonymous1, I wonder about that too. I don’t know much about FoMoCo, but mid size 60s GMs, (GTOs, specifically), had boxed frame rails for converts and C-channel for hardtops.
By 1978, the T-Bird was moved to the mid-size platform and were uni-body cars, so significant reinforcements would have to be welded to the integral frame members along the rocker panels and at stress points, to keep the body from twisting when the roof was cut off. The T-Bird had been downsized for 1978, in response to Oil Crisis II, as the Iranians shut off the oil spigot in response to the admission of the deposed Shah of Iran into the USA for cancer treatment.
The much larger 1972-77 T-Birds were body-on-frame cars, with the biggest engines Ford offered in passenger cars as standard equipment starting in 1975, the 460 big-block V8. Those cars would have been much easier to convert, as the separate frame provided most of the structural support for the car. they shared a platform with the Lincoln Mark IV and Mark V.
All ‘72-‘79 Thunderbirds were body-on-frame and based on the Torino.
The ‘72-‘76 used a lengthened Torino platform which it shared with the Mark IV.
The ‘77-‘79 used the 2-door Torino platform and even shared dashboards and windshields.
Yes i own a sawzall, why do you ask?
Not familiar w the tune J.O. or those wild swinging 70s parties 🥳💃🍸 I bet some commenters here are though lol 😲😅😄
Guarantee a Bat Out of Hell 🦇 8 track tape was on board this TBird in 78′
There sure as heck was in my ’69 Triumph Spit back in ’78…
I once saw a 77 Town Car conversion to a convertible. White with red leather interior. The top was down emphasizing the length! Of course I fell in love with that LAND YACHT. OTT extravagant luxury in the GRAND tradition of pre 60 Lincolns and Continentals!
Wow. I think I’m a pretty good spotter but I couldn’t tell what this was at first. I think it’s sharp but wish the interior were red or white. My guess is a repaint in red.
I owned an LTD II like this car only with different front and rear end styling, non convertible. Very uninspiring car with small interior for as big as it was. If you want to drive an oddball to cars and coffee this is it for not too much money.
Nice looking drop top but at over 4 tons you wonder how does this conversation effect the structural integrity of the car? How much flex does it have? Does it rattle like a rock in a beer can? Is it safe at high speeds ect. One thing about it you won’t see another one like it for sure. Interesting car.
At 4200 pounds gross curb weight, that’s just 2.1 tons, not four (4) tons. 2000 pounds = 1.0 tons where I went to school, Bunky!
I agree with Todd: it’s clean, interesting, and reasonably priced. I want to like it, but not sure I do. And I want to not like it, but I’m not sure about that either. I don’t think I have ever seen one.
Looks odd without this gens trademark basket handle roofline