Gigantic Green ‘Bird: 1973 Ford Thunderbird

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A forest of green and a car so green it’s nearly camouflaged in the setting—that’s what Pat L has found for us. The vehicle in question is a 1973 Ford Thunderbird, Emerald Fire green with a complementing vinyl top and interior. The car is listed on craigslist for an asking price of $15,000, and you’ll have to retrieve it from the Detroit metro area should you come to terms with the seller. If you do so, will you keep those Torq-Thrust-style wheels on there?

Had you beamed someone forward from the 1950s into a Ford showroom of the early 1970s and told them to pick out the Thunderbird, they would have had a hard time doing so. Morphing from a sporty two-seat roadster into a full-sized personal luxury car nudging into Lincoln territory, the T-Bird saw a massive identity shift by the marketing gurus at Ford into what was eventually this, the sixth generation. This generation came out in the 1972 model year and lasted until 1976. Sources say that this gen of Thunderbird was the largest ever, and they cite a weight of nearly 5,000 lbs. when the big engine, about which more below, was between the shock towers. Perhaps the best way to say it is that this 1970s T-Bird is more about commanding Route 66 than simply cruising it.

The model in question has 63,000 miles on its 460-CID V8, backed up with the staunch C6 3-speed automatic, which has been rebuilt. It is naturally replete with options to make life more comfortable for driver and passengers (powering steering and brakes, and power windows, which used to be extras and not available on lesser models), but what is remarkable is the amount of work that’s been done to this car. A lengthy list of new suspension parts, a brake upgrade, cooling system work including a special water pump, ignition system updating, and more, are called out.

Delivered in Tennessee, where it spent its first 40 years, the car migrated north to Detroit but has been garaged and preserved there, though there is some concern about the trunk floor, not well visible in the provided image. Looking at the mechanical work done makes you wonder what the story is, as does the presence of what look like accessory under-dash gauges. I know those are fun to look at, but they always point you to asking if there is an overheating situation (perhaps that’s why there’s an aftermarket aluminum radiator plus twin electric cooling fans?) or something else that has the current owner hyper-vigilant. At the least, the lengthy list of parts should say two things: someone spent a lot of money, so you don’t have to, and this car’s history might bear some looking into before you plunk down your cash.

Comments

  1. alphasudMember

    Hard to believe this car is 50 years old from the perspective of a person who grew up in the 70’s. Guess it stands to reason why I like this car. I like the right green on a car and this one shows well. Looks like the current owner has done a lot to bring it up to a daily driver. I certainly won’t disagree any classic car will benefit with a brake upgrade if you plan to drive it more than on occasion. If this was at a car show or a cars and coffee it would most likely be one I would hone in on over anything modern.

    Like 7
  2. Rumpledoorskin

    This is a sharp car, however, I think there is an overheating issue that has been chased by bolting things on. It looks like there is a filter in the upper rad hose, makes me think we’re trying to clean something up that’s already there. There’s an Edelbrock carb on an iron manifold, it makes me wonder if the heads and manifold are rusted and perhaps the block? I have to admire if the guy knows his limits and didn’t want to dig into that bucket of worms. Maybe it’s all cleaned up and we’re just monitoring the situation. With all that said, I’d still have it if I had the money, it is a nice car.

    Like 2
  3. Stan StanMember

    True land yacht at 4800lb+ wow.
    460ci and strong C6 is great to move the behemoth.
    2.75 ⚙️ std
    3.00, 3.25 optional equipment.
    All work, this is a hwy specialist.
    Would love to have it.

    Like 4
  4. TorinoSCJ69

    Seller has gone to a great deal of effort to do the up keep and improve this car – how often you see this done, let alone on a deserving 1973 T-Bird ?

    This seller has made this nice ride into a nice, improved version and knows his stuff.

    How nice to see a vigilant owner – I love this effort and hard work.
    Super clean engine bay to boot.
    Worth it if the history is there.

    Wildwood brakes ? Billet distributor ?
    Working AC – Nice!

    If the budget was there, I would love to buy this nice T-Bird from this particular seller.

    This looks like a winner, right ??

    Like 3
  5. Big C

    A 1970’s, two door, big block T-Bird with aftermarket speed parts on it. And you wonder why he added the gauges? You must have not been around back when guys drove V-8 hot rods. Idiot lights didn’t really tell you anything.

    Like 1
  6. Blake, does my opinion really matter ???

    I love T-birds. I don’t know why this generation never resonated with me. I love green, but I even have limits. This is sooooo green. On an unrelated note, on the highway today, there was a triple black Mark four on the road, wallowing allover the place like the yacht it was. I suspect the shocks were long gone. I wanted to take a picture, however, my rule in my car is, phones stay in the door pocket. That Lincoln looked amazing. Maybe there wasn’t enough difference between this bird and the mark. I’d take an 80 T-bird over this, but then again, I’m an odd duck.

    Like 3
    • Tommy T-Tops

      I learned to drive in a 77 Tbird, same color as this one and that steering wheel brings back memories. This one looks real nice and sorted. glwta

      Like 0
  7. AzzuraMember

    “It’s not easy being green”.

    Like 2
  8. Frank Sumatra

    I’ll bet the seller owns the company that makes the Big Green Egg barbecue grills.

    Like 2
  9. CadmanlsMember

    Had a 72 triple green one, only power was the 429. It will use some fuel, does nothing special. They ride nice but as one reader points out why the cooling system is looking so fresh. Mine was a victim of NE Ohio roadways and disappeard quite quickly after the tin worm found a home.

    Like 1
  10. Nevadahalfrack NevadahalfrackMember

    Leaves one feeling very, y’know, green…definitely not in the fiscal, envious or environmental sense either!

    Like 1

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