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Wild ’70s Custom! 1967 Ford Thunderbird

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.

Comments

  1. Avatar Cadmanls Member

    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!

    Like 15
    • Avatar Keith M Howard

      Heater hoses are missing too

      Like 0
  2. Avatar KC John Member

    Cool time period piece. Looks very Hot Wheels to me. Not going in my garage but it’s pretty neat. IMHO

    Like 33
    • Avatar JagManBill

      I doubt it would fit in most any garage built today….

      Like 4
  3. Avatar TimS

    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.”

    Like 31
    • Avatar Steven E Clinton

      Da da, da da, da da Bat…oh wait, never mind.

      Like 4
  4. Avatar MattR

    It’s ready for Death Race 2023.

    Like 17
  5. Avatar Corvan63F6
  6. Avatar John Eder

    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…

    Like 25
  7. Avatar Daryl

    I am a buyer. My pimp game is strong!!!

    Like 19
  8. Avatar Howie

    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.

    Like 6
  9. Avatar greg

    Ferrari Shark Nose F1 car comes to mind. Change wheels and tires, and at least get spark plug wire separators.

    Like 3
  10. Avatar RKS

    No battery tie down? Hard pass from me.

    Like 4
    • Avatar Big Mike

      It could have the low, wedge shaped one that bolts into the battery tray.

      Like 10
  11. Avatar Daryl

    maybe we can convince some Gen X’r to waste their money and make it electric

    Like 5
    • Avatar 59poncho

      Im 58 and GEN X slick i think you mean millennials!!!!! high Octane forever!!!!!

      Like 0
  12. Avatar Kenneth Carney

    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.

    Like 4
  13. Avatar Melton Mooney

    I’d wager the new owner crunches the beak of that bird first day.

    Like 9
    • Avatar ChevelleSS

      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!

      Like 2
  14. Avatar Big Bear 🇺🇸

    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. 🐻🇺🇸

    Like 2
  15. Avatar Connecticut mark

    Very cool , yes like a Hot Wheel

    Like 4
  16. Avatar A.G.

    There are many reasons to say no to this car. For me it is the poor fitment of the hood.

    Like 2
  17. Avatar Dave

    It was done 40 years ago, so yes a few updates would be nice. First thing for me would be a nose job, rhinoplasty

    Like 5
  18. Avatar TheOldRanger

    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.

    Like 3
  19. Avatar OldNSlo

    67 was the first year and the best IMHO of that body style t-bird. Should have kept it stock.

    Like 2
  20. Avatar steve

    I would have left it in storage. It’s butt ugly.

    Like 1
    • Avatar David Michael Carroll

      You wanna see UGLY? how about the Nissan Juke??!!

      Like 0
  21. Avatar jwaltb

    And I just called the rotary Citroen ungainly!

    Like 2
  22. Avatar Joe Haska

    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.

    Like 3
  23. Avatar Troy

    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

    Like 2
  24. Avatar Angel Cadillac Diva Member

    Is this where the beak nose on the ’70, ’71 Bird came from?

    Like 2
    • Avatar JAMES RUCKER

      lol

      Like 0
  25. Avatar Zachary

    Look up “Aladins Dream Thunderbird”, you will see how this car once looked.

    Like 2
  26. Avatar 433jeff

    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

    Like 1
  27. Avatar Jim Z Member

    QUITE the Duck-Bill on the front end!

    Like 0
    • Avatar James Rucker

      Yes look it up on Aladdins Dream Thunderbird like Zachary said and you will see it .

      Like 0
  28. Avatar DJG

    Love how the ad says “Other than that it is all original.”

    Like 1
  29. Avatar George Birth

    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.

    Like 0
    • Avatar James Rucker

      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

      Like 2
  30. Avatar Don Leblanc

    Sure is a looker, not sure how it would pass a safety inspection.

    Like 0
  31. Avatar G.Frank

    I was thinking 90ish firebird on front end

    Like 0
  32. Avatar Keith M Howard

    Hey.. it’s J-Walker friendly..

    Like 0

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