Is there a car that you were in love with at one point in your life but, over time, you lost interest in it, only to revisit and rekindle warm thoughts? Our Pick of the Day fits that to a T—a 1979 Ford Thunderbird. This one listed on ClassicCars.com is being sold by a dealer in Utica, Ohio. (Click the link to view the listing)
Everybody knows the story of the Thunderbird—how it went from a two-seat boulevardier to a four-seater, developing the personal luxury category that found even more success in the 1960s. Starting in 1967, the Thunderbird began a relationship with Lincoln, lasting through 1976, upon which the Thunderbird began to play the role of an intermediate, tracing its origins to the 1972 Ford Torino and Mercury Montego. The Thunderbird also found a new cousins with the Mercury Cougar and the cheaper-yet-stylish Ford LTD II. A move down-market? Perhaps, but don’t think of it that way—think of it as an evolutionary fine-tuning. When the model year was done, an astounding 318,140 Thunderbirds were built for 1977.
The 1977 Thunderbird looked the part too thanks to a 1950s Crown Victoria-like tiara (aka “B-pillar”) that swept up and around to the other side. Not only did this work well during the Disco era, but it also gave the opportunity for different paint and trim treatments. A large option list gave assurance that most Thunderbirds you’d see were not lacking in luxury trimmings—despite being shorter and lighter, it was still 100 percent Thunderbird. A mid-year addition, the Town Landau, became the most luxurious Thunderbird and featured a standard 400 two-barrel, steps up from the “responsive” 302-2V or 351-2V.
For 1978, Ford gave buyers even more ways to personalize their Thunderbird. To commemorate Ford’s 75th Anniversary, Ford introduced the Diamond Jubilee Edition. The Town Landau also returned, now even more fully realized thanks to the aluminum roof wrap-over applique, color-coordinated trim, accent stripes, cornering lamps, power windows, air conditioning, and more. Powerplants were identical to before.
For 1979, the Thunderbird was given a mild facelift, the most noticeable change being slightly different taillights. In addition to the standard Thunderbird, the loaded Town Landau returned, while the Thunderbird Heritage seemingly replaced the Diamond Jubilee edition. The 400 V8 was discontinued, leaving just two engines available.
When these Thunderbirds came out, my family was visiting relatives in California. I begged by dad to rent a T-Bird or Cougar and, lucky me, he managed to rent both in our travels north and south! Having my dad flip on/off the headlights was a highlight—I was in love! Those days can be relived with this 1979 Thunderbird. Though not a Town Landau or a Heritage model, it still is a worthy personal luxury collectible thanks to the 13,246 miles on the odometer. The seller says it’s equipped with the optional 351, automatic transmission, power steering and brakes, air conditioning, and AM/FM with 8-track, but I also spy the Exterior Décor Group (which included two-piece vinyl top, dual sport mirrors, dual accent pain stripes, and styled road wheels) and the Sports Instrumentation Group.
“This car runs, drives and looks brand new!” says the seller. Certainly for $14,900, this sounds like a bargain for an almost-new 45-year-old personal luxury car.
Click here for this ClassicCars.com Pick of the Day.
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