During the 1950s, many people viewed the Corvette and the Thunderbird as direct competitors. This was in spite of the fact that GM and Ford were targetting different customers with their two-seater offerings. By 1974 there could be no disputing the different philosophies that each manufacturer was persuing. The Corvette remained a sports car, while the Thunderbird was most definitely aimed at buyers seeking to live life in luxury. This Thunderbird has plenty of luxury touches and is also in impressive condition for its age. It has had little use over the past 36-years and is set to go to a new home. It is located in Lodi, California, and has been listed for sale here on eBay. Bidding currently sits at $4,060 in what is a No Reserve auction.
The original owner purchased the Thunderbird in San Rafael, California, and used the car sparingly for the next 10-years. The second owner took possession in 1984, and the story was very similar. He parked the car in 1994 but kept it properly maintained over the following 36-years. The current owner has brought the T-Bird out into the light of day once again, and what has emerged is a well-preserved classic. It is finished in Green Starfire with an Odense vinyl top. The owner stresses that the Ford is not perfect, with the paint carrying a few chips and marks. At the end of the day, this is claimed to be a 46-year-old survivor that is wearing its original paint. Therefore, this is to be expected. The panels appear to be straight, with no signs of any appreciable damage. Being a classic that has spent its life in California, it is no surprise to learn that the Thunderbird is rust-free. The majority of the glass looks to be in good order, although the windshield does sport a crack on the passenger side. It is hard to pick in most of the photos, but the windshield will require replacement at some point. The wheel covers on these Fords could be prone to damage from curb strikes, but these appear to be in good order. The same also seems to be true of the remaining trim and chrome.
As is the case with the exterior, the interior of the Thunderbird presents extremely nicely, but it isn’t flawless. I picked up a few marks on the dash, but these aren’t bad. I have also noticed that a couple of buttons on the front seat have lost their tension. However, these could be easily fixed. Beyond those couple of problems, it all looks nice for a survivor of this age. The cloth on the seats is free from rips or stains, the carpet looks like it has no wear issues, and I can’t spot any damage to the plastic trim. Making life pleasant aboard the Thunderbird is the fact that the vehicle is equipped with ice-cold air conditioning. Also, the buyer will receive power windows, power locks, power seats, cruise, a rear window defogger, and an AM/FM radio/8-track player. There is a Doobie Brothers cartridge in the player, and I’m not sure whether that is included in the sale.
Powering the Thunderbird is a 460ci V8, producing 223hp. This sort of power is nice to have on hand because, at 5,033lbs, the Thunderbird is a pretty hefty beast. The 460 is backed by a C6 automatic transmission, while the vehicle also comes equipped with power steering and power brakes. The owner makes no claims about the Thunderbird’s mileage, but the odometer is showing a touch over 30,000 miles. If the car has been sitting for 36-years, then that sort of mileage is certainly conceivable. What he does tell us is that the vehicle has just been fitted with new tires and a new battery. He also states that this is a Ford that runs and drives beautifully. Outright performance was not the aim of the Thunderbird, although an 18.4-second ¼ mile ET was still quite reasonable for such a heavy car. This was a car that was about providing an effortless and quiet motoring environment, which it achieved in a 1974 context. One thing that I find fascinating is the fact that Ford was able to sell the number of Thunderbirds that it did in 1974. This was a time of great uncertainty in the energy sector, and fuel shortages were common. That Ford sold more than 58,000 examples of a car that returned 10.1 mpg was a testament to the regard that people held for the Thunderbird.
This 1974 Thunderbird is a tidy survivor that would look good parked in anyone’s driveway. It isn’t perfect, but it is the sort of classic that could be driven and enjoyed without the owner having to sweat on the occasional stone-chip. Values can vary wildly, but excellent examples will generally sell for between $8,000 and $9,000. This one is a little gem, but I would be surprised if bidding went beyond about $7,000. Still, that makes it a lot of car for your money. It also makes it a vehicle that is worth a closer look if you are the sort of person who likes their classic motoring experience with a touch of luxury.
Wait, if the second owner bought the car in 1994, then he maintained the car for 26 years, not 36. You may have some fuzzy math in the write-up. But I would PURSUE this type of car…I like big boats and I cannot lie!
That part of the writeup bugged me too! How about a little proofreading at the BF offices before this stuff is posted?
First owner bought the car new in 1974. Drove it until selling it in 1984 to the second owner. Second owner drove the car sparingly until 1994 when he put the car in storage. Ergo the second owner has owned the car 36 years.
@Rj – your math is correct! However, the writeup states the following, “He parked the car in 1994 but kept it properly maintained over the following 36-years.” 36 years from 1994 is 2030…..
Great color!! I would tuck those bumpers in and wake that 460 up with a few go fast parts and call it a day!! I had a 72 I believe Mercury Marquis Brougham!! Had a 428 and it was the most comfortable riding car I ever owned! I use to call it the brown cloud!! Looks very similar to this car!!
I love all old cars, and this one is very well kept but these are just horrendous from a styling perspective – just google a 72 Lincoln Mark IV to see whats wrong with the 74 ‘Bird
The big bumpers did this car no favors. But it still carries a ton of presence. Looks great with its lush green paint (even if it has some flaws). Back in the day I had no interest in these overgrown personal luxury coupes, but now I think they are pretty cool, in their own 70’s kind of way.
2.5 tons of presence to be exact.
;p
My very similar 1974 Thunderbird with the (CA) 460 usually got about 8 mpg, it was a painful joy to drive.
Green Starfire Paint with an Odense vinyl top?
Man, where do they think up these names?
“Odense” was the name of the grain style for the vinyl roof. I would guess the color was “Tan”.
Too bad this one has the thin bodyside moldings and the base wheel covers. The green cloth interior would be an acquired taste as well.
An abomination. Great companion piece for the “Family Truckster”.
Some here sure are critical of one of the nicest cars Ford made. After the ’68 Lincoln I took my drivers test on, the old man was into big Fords and got a big T-Bird like this. I don’t remember the big bumpers, or the 460, I think it was a ’72 with a 429, regardless it was green and a verifiable tank. I thought, it was a fantastic car, rolled like thunder. Not the fanciest inside, or a drag racer ( although we tried) but true to it’s sporty, gentlemens cruiser roots. Price here a smokin’ deal, and some want to pay 5 figures for a rattletrap 1st gen Bronco? Good grief,,,wasamatteryou?
Ford made some terrific cars, including Thunderbirds but I cant lump this in with them. From my view its just plain ugly and bloated, but not in a good way like say..a “mini Lincoln” Marquis. . It’s obviously been loved all it’s life, it’s relatively inexpensive and sure it’s unique. The good news is “there’s an ass for every seat” and this car will find one. And I bet the new owner loves it just as much as the past owners.
I had one candy apple red, white leather interior. Most comfortable land yacht I’ve owned. At 6’-3” 240#+ the seat fit quite well. Tempting to me if it had leather.
You also have to ask how many 2020 built cars will still be around and in this condition in 46 years time ?? That’s if we still drive cars that is!
I had a blue 75 Bird back in the 70’s. Great ride, but major starter problem. This one is a Beauty!
Had a 75 Mark IV, back in the day, rode phenomenal, comfort beyond comfort, just gorgeous car, that loved gas, but it was understandable at 5000lbs
Ford kind of ruined the T-Bird after about 1964, imo. The late 50’s T-Birds were reasonable competitors to the Corvette. Early 60’s T-Birds had some cachet as a personal luxury car but by the 70’s it was all about lots of ugly sheet metal.
I retired from the engine plant where the 429/460 were made. Worked on that line several times in my career. that engine went in cars, trucks, and marine applications. Remember loading those 75 lb. heads on the blocks by hand. Memories.
I had a 1974 Mark 4 this shade of green. It had a white top & white leather interior. I thought I was quite the pimp driving that car around on the north side of Milwaukee lol. Loved that car, & really miss it!
If you had it in the 70s and you played the rite songs, like we were, you were pimping
The Mark and T Birds were near clones. 72 to 77 if memory serves me.
Thank God everyone has their own taste in cars, or else we’ld all be driving the same style vehicle. But why knock a car that so many find attractive? Does that make you look better in someone’s eyes other than your own? Certainly worse in the eyes of lots of readers at this site.
I have a non running one in my garage waiting for me to win the lottery. When it needed shocks it wanted to drift into the other lane at freeway exit speed of 35 mph. I put KYB shocks on it and could take the exits’ 35 mph s curve at 55 mph and the last corner over 60 mph. A 604 ci all aluminum motor, 730 mellow hp and maybe a 300 shot of NO, a built 6 speed auto NASCAR wheels, etc. Have one of those shops.on MT tv build it for me. Tuck in the bumpers and have wing vent windows added. A star with the number 28 inside on the back of the trunk lid. Could you imagine smoking the tires at 80 mph next to a Mclaren, Corvette, GT 500, Hellcat, Veyron or a Bentley in that big old fat Detroit V8 ? I think 250 grand ought to cover it.