I miss T-Tops, even with that annoying watery drizzle on rainy days coming into the interior when the doors were opened, yet acting as a reminder of how cool you were on sunny afternoons. Sometimes called a T-Bar roof, these removable hatches stuck around as options on a couple of U.S. coupes until 2002, lasting the same amount of time as the fourth-generation Camaro and Firebird did. These were fairly popular for a while in auto history, with this 1979 Ford Thunderbird proudly featuring a pair of factory glass panels on top, plus another fun surprise that’s sure to get some attention at shows and on the street. Barn Finds reader Lothar… of the Hill People spotted this T-Bird here on Facebook Marketplace in Greenville, Wisconsin, and our thanks go out to him for sending in the tip here!
The Baby Blue paint is attention-getting by itself, but the wow-factor here goes way beyond the color, as a custom suspension system has been added underneath. Below the package tray sits a controller in the trunk that allows all 4 wheels to be set individually at whatever height the driver desires, with the conservative whitewall tires and wire wheel covers making the adjustable stance even more of a surprise, once it’s been activated. The seller mentions that his Thunderbird has received an exterior respray in the past, and although it’s unknown how long ago this was done, he says the outside finish still looks very nice.
While the Thunderbird was considered more of a personal luxury coupe during the late seventies, it’s great to find that this one’s equipped with bucket seats and a console. It’s stated that the interior could use some work, and I’m guessing that could mean that the cover on top of the driver’s seat may be concealing some tears. We only get to view this one photo from inside, but overall, it’s not looking too bad in there, at least from the angle shown.
The entry-level engine here in ’79 was a 302 V8, but this one’s got the optional 351, with the seller mentioning that it received a complete tune-up a couple of thousand miles ago. A small oil drip is present, but the car is said to still be driving well as it sits. With both the T-Tops and the low-rider capabilities, this 1979 Ford Thunderbird seems like an interesting cruiser, adding some fun elements to a car usually associated with luxury. Any thoughts to share about this one?
I’m partial to this year Thunderbird but low rider is no rider. What a way to ruin a car. And what’s up with steering wheel, it looks upside down. Price is right though so its possible to reverse the changes, fix the interior and have a nice personal luxury coupe like God and Ford motor intended.
It does look to be very restorable. Lol.
It doesn’t look like a lowrider. It looks like a Mark VII with blown airbags. (Remember seeing those airbag Lincolns kneeling or listing heavily to one side in the 1990s?) Someone spent a lot of money to make this car look broken.
On another note, T-tops and crank windows make for an unusual combination.
I’m with Fox owner. I like these T-Birds, they were an attractive package and were big sellers. The baby blue was popular. The low rider capability does nothing for me.
Ruined a nice car here by lowering it!
It’s a tank of a car and hanging low makes look even worse!
this bird had been ruined by some fool installing a ghetto air ride. not worth buying and have to put it back to stock if you can. lots of stuff usually gets cut off for that system. boy what a shame!
well as much as we hate the mods someone bought it ! Good Luck to them!
After having had the use of a T-Top car for a week, I can’t say I share any nostalgia for them. Personally, I found them to be too much trouble to use unless you had that perfect day with the perfect road trip: not too hot, not too short a trip, not having a passenger who complains about their hair getting blown around. Removing them, putting them in the bags and then stowing in the trunk (as long as you weren’t using the trunk). And then there’s the leaks, squeaks and rattles. They looked good on some cars and were the only open air option at the time since convertibles had been mostly killed off by 75.
I will leave another comment and noticed it has the mag wheel as a spare. Still ruined by being lowered.