The seventh generation of the Ford Thunderbird (1977-79) went on a diet like some of the cars over at General Motors. But they still looked big even with eight inches less in length and 900 fewer pounds. This ’77 T-Bird was the seller’s daily driver for several months, but it developed a vacuum leak that may have rendered it unreliable. So, it’s available as a set of cheap wheels here on Facebook Marketplace for $1,500 in Naugatuck, Connecticut.
For 1977, the Thunderbird rode on the smaller chassis used by the previous Ford Torino and now also by the LTD II, which replaced it in 1977. It looked a lot like the Ford Elite, which the company peddled from 1974 to 1976. The goal was to better compete with the likes of the Chevy Monte Carlo and Pontiac Grand Prix. A smaller engine could propel the ’77 T-Bird, and the 302 cubic inch was chosen for that job. 351 and 400 CI engines were optional, and there is no mention of what sits under the hood of the seller’s car.
The seller’s photos don’t help much except to point out how rough the roof is on this car, which the seller doesn’t try to hide. He’s owned it for a couple of years and added to the odometer reading of 29,000 miles (which we suspect has turned over). A vacuum leak developed that the seller believes comes from the hideaway headlight covers. We’re told the interior is nice except for the headliner, yet the only photo is of the steering wheel.
With the visible “rot” and the seller saying the headliner is toast, an easy assumption is that the roof leaks. But the car does run and drive, and the asking price is on the cheap side. He wants to sell it to have time and money to work on other projects. All offers will be considered, but some may be declined. Thanks to “Zen” for uncovering this running project.
With the close up photos of the roof with that bad of rust, and being from the north east, I guarantee that body is hiding plenty of rust also. I guess they’re worried because of that, somebody’s going to low ball an offer for it, hence possibly declining offers.