One of the things that always set 1973 model cars, apart from their ’72 predecessors, is the presence of railroad crosstie-sized front bumpers. Per the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), “Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 215, “Exterior Protection,” which became effective on September 1, 1972. This standard called for passenger cars, beginning with model year (MY) 1973, to withstand 5 mph front and 2 ½ mph rear impacts against a perpendicular barrier without damage to certain safety-related components such as headlamps and fuel systems”. Starting in ’74 the standard applied to rear bumpers too. Today’s find, a 1973 Ford Thunderbird, courtesy of Rocco B, drives home the obvious – big rammer up front, smaller more subdued bumper bringing up the rear. Beyond that, there weren’t too many other differences separating the two model years so let’s take a look at Ford’s personal luxury coupe for ’73. This claimed to be a 33K mile original is located in Wake Forest, North Carolina and is available, here on craigslist for $18,900.
Being a ’73 model puts this T-Bird in generation six (’72-‘79’76) and right off the bat, other than the front bumper difference, they’re really very similar cars – the bigger changes would occur deeper into the production run. The ’73 was about three inches longer and 150 lbs. heavier than its predecessor but those are the most notable differences. Production statistics tell a very much different story, however, with ’73’s output reaching 87K units compared to ’72’s more modest volume of only 57K copies. Nope, a bigger front bumper certainly didn’t adversely sway potential buyers.
The seller claims, “It was ordered with the optional 429 V8 which is rare. Most had the 460 V8“. Not true according to Ford’s marketing material which states that the 211 net HP 429 was standard equipment while the 208 net HP 460 engine was an option. And knowing that, it makes one wonder why anyone would want to trade one inefficient engine, at a mark-up, for an even less efficient powerplant. I suppose the extra $$$ for the big 460 was warranted by the eleven measly additional lb. ft. of torque that was available (327 for the 429 vs. 338 for the 460).
I’d venture to say that this car is a flip as the seller purchased it from the original owner who was its caretaker for 49 years. And, it does appear to have been very well cared for, i.e. original strong finish, nice chrome, no flapping in the breeze vinyl top along with no indication of rust or crash damage. The triple black configuration of this Thunderbird is appreciated – it projects a serious image appropriate for a car of this stature.
The interior is as nice as the exterior – at least what can be seen. The split-bench front seat appears to be upholstered in black vinyl as opposed to a cloth and vinyl combination which was standard equipment. There are a few leather-like creases but it’s just typical minor wear. One thing not included is a shot of the odometer that is supposed to display only 33K miles.
I would have preferred a ’72 – those big imposing five MPH bumpers grind my gears. Some manufacturers did them better than others but I wouldn’t include Ford in that group (seen a ’74 Pinto or Maverick?). Still, it’s a small petty matter and this is an exceptionally clean and original T-Bird. That said, I would like to have seen some documentation to back up that low mileage claim – maybe the seller has something that can be provided upon request. As I have often said, you won’t see the likes of a new car produced like this ’73 Ford again. If a big two-door hardtop floats your boat, here you go, right?
There’s a similar car here in Philadelphia Pennsylvania parked on Central Avenue. However, the interior is cream color and has different hubcaps than the pictured one. Plus, the 1 here isn’t in as perfect of shape as that one. Great car though.
Well, if you can’t make it better, make it BIGGER! Hahahaha. Never cared for these behemoths.
Neither me or my Dad cared for them either. My Dad was actually glad when he cancelled the order for his car! We both liked Mom’s ’67 much better.
I love it, and I didn’t know they still had a 429 in 73. I remember back in the early 90s, before the internet and craigslist and ebay, someone near me had one of these, just as beautiful with low miles in a light blue color. It sat outside with a for sale sign, and a trashy family bought it, and used it as a daily driver, running it into the ground. It went to crap pretty quickly. It’s too bad no one wanted it to preserve it. I wish I could’ve bought it, but I already had my 77 Coupe Deville. Oh well.
Yep… know all too well about “trashy families”/ people. When good cars happen to bad people! LOL!
They all vote demonrat.
These were my favorite ‘Birds. And they always look good in black. Looks like it was babied, too!
It’s funny…as a little kid in the late ‘70s/early ‘80s I thought all 1974 (and if a body style dated back to 1972, I preferred the ‘73) and later cars were better looking than their predecessors. The big bumpers looked more “modern” to my eyes. Especially so when square headlights were involved. For example, I thought a ‘77 Monte Carlo looked so much better than a ‘73. Now, I really like the earlier iterations of these body styles.
I agree ….I always liked the big bumpers….cars looked a bit off in 73 with big ones in front and smaller ones in back…74 corrected that issue…
I have a 73 with a 429 which was purchased new by my grandfather. Performance of the 429 is adequate. But I also had another big bird, with a ton of miles, and the 460. the bigger motor would run rings around the 429. also had a Lincoln with the 460, and around another 1000 lbs of weight. Again, the 460 was a cut well above the 429.
Well, a 429 can become a 460 with a “stroker” kit, otherwise it’s the same engine block and cylinder heads. Some stroker kits offer the option to have the main bearing saddles drilled and tapped for four-bolt main bearing caps, and they supply new four-bolt main bearing caps as part of the kit. You also have a choice of either a cast crank or a forged crank in the kit. Forged cranks are stronger, but more expensive, with cast cranks as the cheaper choice for light duty engine use. Bothe the 429 and the 460 share the same bore, so boring the cylinders out 0.030″ or 0.060″ oversize offers the chance to get additional displacement, up to 550 cubic inches. Whee!
Sixth generation 72-76. 77-79 was Torino based if I am not mistaken.
Yup,77-79 were the smaller one’s new generation that sold massively.
Cant go wrong… id Rather have the 460… but i love those, drove one in a late 80s F250 and was sold. Seller obviously has a great 👍 ride here.
“…those big imposing five MPH bumpers grind my gears.” Really? Never noticed that in your write-ups, Jim. 😂
I sold a car just like this in my dad’s Ford store new! The lazy salesmen decided he looked poor, but my dad taught me better! The poor guy peeled off a roll of moldy bills and paid list. I was 15. 5he salesmen tried everything to get me to share until Dad told them to shut up, the money was mine. 25% of profit then cwas big money. I strutted big time, lol
I really like Thunderbirds . There’s something with every generation that gets to me. The sixth generation is one of my top favorites, especially the 74 through 76 model years, and black on black is always my top color. I really like the extended 5 mph bumpers. They seem to give a certain presence to these large cars of the 70s. Contrary to the author, I think Ford did a great job with them. At least the color matched the rest of the metal painted surfaces better than GMs attempts did. I love the grill and headlights, the thick metal bevel and fit perfectly. I also like the wall to wall taillights divided into the small squares of Argent colored plastic. Yes it was the biggest generation of the Thunderbirds, but I thought they were very classy looking, with almost a retro look. The same for the 74 Lincoln Mark lVs, they are beautiful, and of course built on the same platform as the Thunderbird. I would love to own one, either the Thunderbird or 6 Mark would do.I think Ford was at the top of their game in the mid 70s. Their cars were great looking, they were reliable, ran well and had great build quality. My family and I had several great Fords, Lincolns and Mercurys, but sadly never one of these. A black 74 Thunderbird or Mark will still make my tail wag.
By 1973, the T-Bird had become a parody of itself, essentially a lesser trim level of its corporate sibling, the Lincoln Continental Mark IV, since both were built on the same platform. Other than certain optional items in the T-Bird being standard in the Mark IV, befitting the Mark’s higher price, the biggest changes were the Oval Opera window and faux Rolls-Royce grille on the Mark, and the Mark got 460 V8 as standard equipment, while you had to pay extra to get the 460 in the T-Bird. Until 1974, that is, when declining power outputting the 429 forced an upgrade to the 460 in the T-Bird as well, to cope with increasing weight of the car, combined with ever tightening emissions rules that were the reason for the power reductions in the engines. The upgrade came just in time for the first OPEC oil crisis, where single digit fuel economy was about as welcome as a skunk at a garden party!
Dad ordered one of these as a company car when his company placed a fleet order for somewhere between six (6) and eight (8) of these for all of the sales force salesmen (yes, they were all men, because Dad was a Sales Engineer, and his company was a sales rep firm, contracting with companies to sell their electronic components to other companies for use in their products, and female engineers were virtually unknown in the field at the time). The cars were used to go to sales calls and take customers out to lunch or dinner as part of the sales process (it was the late 1960’s, and early 1970’s, and that’s how business was done at the time). The dealer kept postponing delivery of the order, so Dad got tired of waiting, and cancelled his order! My Dad suspected that the fleet order cars were being sold behind his back to people who were paying more for the cars than his company was willing to pay for them, and then the dealer would keep giving excuses to keep the fleet order alive.
The salesman wasn’t pleased, but he sold a 1972 Maverick to Dad as a replacement for Mom’s dying 1961 Buick Special. The Maverick was a dealer loaner/demonstrator that was being sold as a “leftover” at the start of the 1973 model year, when all of the demonstrator models were replaced with the new models. That car was quite possibly the worst car Ford ever made, so the salesman got his revenge on my Dad for cancelling his order, LOL!
A buddy had a 74 for a while. Red, cream vinyl top, loaded with everything, 460, Am/Fm 8 track with speakers everywhere it seemed. It just seemed to float on the road, very little road feel but a comfortable ride. Just barely felt crossing rough railroad tracks. But that gas mileage….5-9 mpg. He couldn’t afford to drive it much, so he got rid of it.
A great example, if that’s what you want.
We couldn’t live with that massive bumper.
In 1991 I owned a 73 Thunderbird with a 429. The lousy gas mileage and poor acceleration was a terrible combination. Before that I had a 76 LTD with a 351m, it also got terrible gas mileage and was even slower than the Tbird. I used to be amazed at how much gas these cars used while still be slow as a slug.
True that. By 1973, the smog gear had pretty much robbed anything resembling power from those motors. The good news is that with modern aftermarket parts, the power can be restored while still keeping them far cleaner and fuel efficient than they were when they were new. Electronic ignition and aftermarket fuel injection, combined with new cylinder heads, a new intake manifold, a set of headers and a low-restriction dual exhaust will restore these to pre-smog power and glory in short order, all while improving fuel economy and reducing emissions in the process. Will you get 30 mpg? Ah, no. But you might double your mileage from the single digits to the mid-teens, maybe even 20 mpg with a little luck. Remember, these cars had over two tons of “road hugging weight”, so don’t expect miracles, but modern electronic engine controls, combined with some freer-breathing heads, intake and exhaust, can do wonders for both fuel economy and performance!
Some may not realize this, but changing the crank gear with one from 1971 and back will advance the valve timing back to original. It will help the low end torque. A little thing Ford did to lower the emissions I suppose with the lower compression.
I Think I’m In Love
In 1991 I bought 73 Thunderbird with a 429, it had 63,000 miles on it at the time. It had enough low end grunt to get it rolling pretty good off the line, but not enough horsepower for fast acceleration and passing. Aside from the lack of real power and getting terrible gas mileage it was a great cruiser. It was very luxurious and it floated down the road, like being in a boat, and it cornered like a boat too 😅 One night someone broke into it and broke the shift lever off the column, and fixing it would have required changing the whole steering column which was something I wasn’t prepared to do at the time. It also burned a little oil, I suspect the valve seals were bad. I ended up selling it, and I don’t know what became of it after that.
I’ve owned both but currently just have a 72. It’s my fav. It has the 460 but I put 69 C9 heads on it, woke it up pretty good. 72’s had different fenders and the power locks had no switches. Mine came with Sure Trac anti-skid rear brakes. It was an Alabama car ordered with side mouldings delete. That is a leather interior on the 73. Mine also has the 9 3/8 diff where’s the 73 has the 9”. You could end up with either in 72.
You took the first step to waking it up by removing the “smog heads” and putting the ’69 “pre-smog” heads on it. I didn’t know that these had anti-skid on the rear brakes only, though. Limited slip differential, yes, but anti-skid brakes? The Chrysler Imperial was the first car to have four-wheel electronic anti-skid brakes starting in 1972, but I didn’t know that Ford had it on the rear wheels only. As I recall, the Imperial offered the anti-skid brakes as an option, but it was quite expensive at the time, close to $1000, so it wasn’t popular.
this brings back memories of my Dad’s 73 MkIV Black on Black on Black. This is one very pretty kitty
As nice as it is interior needs updating. Mileage verification absolutely. Then18k is not outside I’d definitely bite. Drives like a Lincoln. And actually looks good with the crash fenders that were mandatory
My Mother had one like this, but the 74 vintage, color was like a burnt orange with the matching vinyl roof and interior.. beautiful car with the 460…
Not to pick nits, but this car along with most of this generation had leather, not vinyl. This car is definitely upholstered in black leather.
Nice car, Even with the railroad tie front bumper…..
You might be right. At first glance, I couldn’t find a leather option but in reality, there probably was one available.
JO
I had a 1973 model which I bought new…I believe the sticker price was $7,000. Just after my purchase there were gas shortages and the price increased quite a bit. Great car though- Excellent quality.
You can tell that this Bird was cared for and loved all its life. I had a 76 Bicentennial edition with a 460, all options including alloy wheels. It was a great driving car on long trips. The bumpers were every bit as massive as the 73 El Camino versions were. I loved that car and wish I still had it. Good find.
Fully loaded, except for cruise control – go figure.
I always thought the side rear quarter windows on these went all the way DOWN, instead of just partially into the sail panels! Odd.
I thought the 5 mph bumpers were to protect the body & reduce body shop repair costs – not just to protect safety items.
I still can’t believe this law took a 180 since & on modern ugly appliances, even minor bumps can destroy headlites(don’t even get me started on the yellowing & clouding up of those) & cause thousands of dollars in body & drivetrain damage, with very short overhangs! WTH
I have not looked it up, but with the optional rim blow 3 spoke wheel, cruise was not where you would normally see it.
Looking closely at the interior shot, it looks like there is a button on the end of the turn signal lever, which could easily set the cruise control. That stalk, as I’m sure you remember, was also the tilt wheel adjustment when pushed forward.
I came sooooo close to buying one. It was on the showroom floor and the color was called “Lipstick Red”. It was stunning under the lights, but I decided the color was a bit over the top. I ended up purchasing a black Pontiac Grand Prix. However, I did end up with a Thunderbird a few years later in 1978.
We used to call that color either “Fire Engine Red” or “Arrest Me Red”, LOL!
Nice was your Grand Prix a 73’ I drove a 73’ Grand Prix in black from 75-79. Loved that car. Till this day my favorite and I drove Vettes, Cadillac, Jaguar, Riviera,Toronado, Trans Am and Camaro to mention a few but the 73’ GP is it. The Jag and Vette was tied for second.
The final full size T-Birds were produced from 72 thru 76.
Consequently, the 6th gen is from 1972 to 1976, not 1979 as you wrote. In 77, the T-Bird was downsized to an intermediate chassis and that ran thru 79. That was the 7th gen.
We had a brand new 73 T-Bird just like this one growing up but it was 3 way dark green instead of black. Fond memories.
You are correct, I fat-fingered it.
JO
My Grand Prix was a beautiful black ’74. I bought it off the showroom floor. I loved that car but lost it in a divorce. My next new car was a ’78 Thunderbird Diamond Jubilee. It was nice, but I liked the GP better.
Beautiful car. However not rare to me at all. I own a 73 t bird I have the 460. I issue a challenge I feel mine is a rare t bird. The car has 30,600 miles I can prove that.Second it’s a Arizona car.My challenge is ford made 88,803 t birds in 73 my paint job is no other than the ford 3G metallic.Only 203 t birds that year got that paint job.No one has ever seen that color with a white vinyl top I believe if this is true mine is rare if anyone can tell me thanks, and my car was made in setempmbee so not sure what number it was of that paint scheme food for thought
No doubt looks great, but i never want to see a ’75 or ’76 trans am with a much rarer vinyl top in ANY color. Or 1 with just as rare automatic shifter on the column.