Ford redesigned its personal luxury car, the Thunderbird, in 1967. The concept of the automobile changed, witness the fact that you could get one with four doors for the first time. This ’67 T-Bird coupe was heavily customized in the 1970s. For the past 40 years, it’s been in storage for most of the time, though the powertrain was rebuilt. Located in Madera, California, this one-of-a-kind custom T-Bird is available for $18,500 here on Facebook Marketplace.
For the fifth generation of the Thunderbird (1967-71), the car would become bigger and move closer to Lincoln in execution as Ford opted to emphasize the luxury part of the “personal luxury car” designation. It shifted from unibody to body-on-frame construction with rubber mountings between the two to improve noise/vibration. The convertible, which had not been a bigger seller, was dropped and a 4-door model with “suicide doors” (also like the Lincoln) was added. A 390 cubic inch V8 engine was standard fare in the 1967 Thunderbird.
The seller doesn’t elaborate on the transformation of this car other than to cite the builder as Dave Migaleto of Sacramento, California. We assume this was a standard ’67 T-Bird hardtop when new, but the roof was lowered and both ends of the auto extended in length, presumably with fiberglass. This work was not done recently but in the early 1970s when the car was fairly new. But watch how you park that thing with its extended nose!
Fast-forward 50 years and the car has been in storage for most of that time. It was pulled out in the 1990s to have the engine and transmission rebuilt, which we assume was the original 390 with an automatic transmission. But that could have been changed or modified when the body was redone. If we follow the timeline correctly, the wheels and tires have been swapped more recently. The custom interior looks great, and we assume the car runs and drives as it should, although the seller doesn’t elaborate. If you’re looking for something different to take to Cars & Coffee, this Ford would certainly qualify.
See the Monkey’s Pontiac nose, too much. Has been chopped nice, and AC is missing for some reason. Offset of the wheels won’t do the bearings any favors. I am all for custom builds but this is a bit off in a few areas. As long as it’s parked, it fine!
Heater hoses are missing too
Cool time period piece. Looks very Hot Wheels to me. Not going in my garage but it’s pretty neat. IMHO
I doubt it would fit in most any garage built today….
Looks like a goofy photo from one of one of those silly clickbait stories. “These Are The Cars That Have Been Found From Time. You Won’t Believe #18.”
Da da, da da, da da Bat…oh wait, never mind.
It’s ready for Death Race 2023.
https://kustomrama.com/wiki/Aladdin%27s_Dream
I’ll buy it, Phillip Hamby. Where’s is the car now for sale? The color it is now is better than the canary yellow or banana yellow. I had black mesh over, George Barris egg crate from Sony and Cher Mustangs. I going redo the car, and add matching fender skirts and desgin my own mag wheels, that will look with a new cany color, and a airbag steering wheel and, it will blow you away, when, I’m done. I draw custom cars in 3D, but. I also store, custom cars in my brain. I’ll let you know. I draw 3D custom cars, with my hands! This a winner to me! Yes, I made many ideas of The Monkeemobile, Batmobile, Koaches, Hillbilly Hot Rod Truck, Green Hornets, as well as bubble top custom cars with a pen in 3D. I never received an email. I checked three times, Barn Finds! PH I want this car! Make sure you keep that Cal Custom four holed carburetor scoop. I’m 62 years old, but look young, as tall as Elvis Presley with wireframes. I have Gene Winfield MPC 1967 Model kit, that has the same nose as my 1967 Oldsmobile Tornado kit.
I rewritten my reply, since, it was timed, in editing. I’ll buy it, Phillip Hamby. Where’s the car for sale? The color is better, than the color it was in yellow. It was originally, had black mesh inside. The car is going to have a new color scheme in paint, along new bucket seats and rear bench seat. It will have a different steering wheel with air bag, along, with two in the front doors. The new fender skirts should be added that fill in the front tires for safety. I’m the Technical Advisor for Dox of Dox Art Factory Owner of The ZZR Barris Kustoms. We can work together with Paolo, his best friend. Dox is a professional artist first, and second, a custom car designer. Check out “Elvis III” that won, The famous,
“De Elegance Award” in 2015. My new color paint choice, and custom designed mag wheels, will make this car turn heads. That custom nose is exactly like, Gene Windfield’s 1967 Oldsmobile Tornado MPC, model kit, I still have.
I’m not sure why, but I think that it would be fun to pull up to the valet parking for a high end social event in this…
I am a buyer. My pimp game is strong!!!
I do not think that air scoop has a filter in it. The splash up on those tires sticking out would be a pain. Asking way too much.
Ferrari Shark Nose F1 car comes to mind. Change wheels and tires, and at least get spark plug wire separators.
No battery tie down? Hard pass from me.
It could have the low, wedge shaped one that bolts into the battery tray.
maybe we can convince some Gen X’r to waste their money and make it electric
Im 58 and GEN X slick i think you mean millennials!!!!! high Octane forever!!!!!
At first I thought it was done by Dave
Puhl, who built the Phase III show
car in 1970. He also did a ’68 GTO
that looked similar to this car. I really
had the hots for the young lady that was posing beside it too! But what
can I say, I was a young motorhead
and a musician of 15 back then. As
for this car, I think it’ll wind up being a
trailer queen as it’s too impractical
to drive. It might fit in at Old Town
or somewhere like it, so I’ll pass on this one. If I’m gonna spend that kind
of cash for a car, it better be drivable.
I’d wager the new owner crunches the beak of that bird first day.
That’s OK. They can just go to HD and pick up some new plastic egg crate light fixture diffusers and be back on the show circuit in minutes!
Well this is very different..and it’s unfinished! Need tail lamps from 68 Cougar. .. exhaust tips from 70 Shelby Mustang (center design) and front wheel flares to cover the tires. The rear ones need more work. And anything else needs attention. This would be cool at car shows. 🐻🇺🇸
Very cool , yes like a Hot Wheel
There are many reasons to say no to this car. For me it is the poor fitment of the hood.
It was done 40 years ago, so yes a few updates would be nice. First thing for me would be a nose job, rhinoplasty
It didn’t look too bad until you got to the front of the car, then yuck. I wouldn’t take this car if they gave it to me.
67 was the first year and the best IMHO of that body style t-bird. Should have kept it stock.
I would have left it in storage. It’s butt ugly.
You wanna see UGLY? how about the Nissan Juke??!!
And I just called the rotary Citroen ungainly!
My failing memory tells me I saw this car in the past. I actually kind of like it. If I did have it ,I would do a few updates that readers have suggested. The tire & wheel combo, maybe revamp fender openings and scale down the nose. I think it would be a lot of fun, not likely to see another one.
Looks to me like they rattle can painted a piece of cloth and put it over the tail lights trying to hide them its a interesting car a bit out there in custom for my taste but you can use that pointed nose to poke the Prius in front of you
Is this where the beak nose on the ’70, ’71 Bird came from?
lol
Look up “Aladins Dream Thunderbird”, you will see how this car once looked.
I think this car grabs alot from other cars, i see superbird firebird,( maybe a little dodo bird) circle track car mustang. A side oiler would tie it all together.
I would definitely drive it!
Should she have flares on the front? Quick check the trunk
QUITE the Duck-Bill on the front end!
Yes look it up on Aladdins Dream Thunderbird like Zachary said and you will see it .
Love how the ad says “Other than that it is all original.”
Unusual car. Needs skinnier tires and wheels. Hit a mud puddle
with tires and wheels on it now and you won’t be able to see a thing.
It’s need more work then wheel and tires, and a nose job,,it’s need everything to bring this Bird back to light. I r700
Sure is a looker, not sure how it would pass a safety inspection.
I was thinking 90ish firebird on front end
Hey.. it’s J-Walker friendly..
I’ll buy it, Phillip Hamby. Where’s is the car now for sale? I’ll let you know. I draw 3D custom cars, with my hands! This a winner to me! Yes, I made many ideas of The Monkeemobile, Batmobile, Koaches, Hillbilly Hot Rod Truck, Green Hornets, as well as bubble top custom cars with a pen in 3D.
I’ll buy it, Phillip Hamby. Where’s is the car now for sale? I’ll let you know. I draw 3D custom cars, with my hands! This a winner to me! Yes, I made many ideas of The Monkeemobile, Batmobile, Koaches, Hillbilly Hot Rod Truck, Green Hornets, as well as bubble top custom cars with a pen in 3D. I never received an email. I checked three times, Barn Finds! PH
I’ll buy it, Phillip Hamby. Where’s is the car now for sale? The color it is now is better than the canary yellow or banana yellow. I had black mesh over, George Barris egg crate from Sony and Cher Mustangs. I going redo the car, and add matching fender skirts and desgin my own mag wheels, that will look with a new cany color, and a airbag steering wheel and, it will blow you away, when, I’m done. I draw custom cars in 3D, but. I also store, custom cars in my brain. I’ll let you know. I draw 3D custom cars, with my hands! This a winner to me! Yes, I made many ideas of The Monkeemobile, Batmobile, Koaches, Hillbilly Hot Rod Truck, Green Hornets, as well as bubble top custom cars with a pen in 3D. I never received an email. I checked three times, Barn Finds! PH
I am the current owner of this car, living in Southern California. Recent won Judge’s Choice at the 2025 Steve McQueen Car Show at the Boys Republic School in Chino. Not too good for going to the supermarket but great to go to Cars & Coffee!
My name is Paul, I live in Southern California and I bought this car from the Estate of Blackie Gejeian. It just won Judge’s Choice at the Steve McQueen Car Show in Chino, California. It gets comments where ever I take it!
Good luck, you got a cool car!