Vehicle Description
1968 Ford Thunderbird Landau
The Jet Age is a period in the history of aviation defined by the
advent of aircraft powered by turbine engines, and by the social
change this brought about. ... Besides the pure jet, the turbine
driven propeller engines offered improvements of the piston engine
delivering a smoother ride and better fuel efficiency.
For consignment, a 1968 Ford Thunderbird Landau that adopts the
Thunderbird styling that was present from the start, the use of jet
age styling to give the cars a futuristic forward thinking look.
From the early birds with their turbine styled tail lighting and
fins, to this 1968 iteration which looks a bit like a cross between
Han Solo's land speeder and the Millennium Falcon, we give you this
long front end, white landau topped suicide rear door 1968 T bird.
We could call it in its very beginnings of the throws of a
restoration, but consigner ran short on time.
Exterior
5...4...3...2...1... Thunderbirds are go! Leading the way for this
classic bird is a hidden headlight grille within a squared off oval
trimming on top and the bumper finishing the oval below. A pinched
front quarter takes its cue from the front bumper which rises
slightly to the mid-section and creates the wheel wells for the
front, which have a horizontal running light just in front of the
well. The front quarters have almost a second fender stamped into
them, and the bumper makes its way around this. A long hood leads
up to the landau top, which is covered in white and presents as
rough, with peeling and chip off of the material throughout.
Chromed landau bars are showing some dimpling and have faded
trimmings around the windows, (the consignor has a new material for
this fix!). Maroon paint adorns the steel and some rust bubbling
and the beginnings of invasive rust are noted on various seams,
(see passenger rear deck next to top and rear of the wheel well
back rockers). A few dents and many dings and scratches are
present, and windshield wipers are not present but included in a
box with the car. Trimming on the rockers is shiny and it works
intermittently with rust formations on the lower rockers.
Interesting the 4 doors share the same latch pillar, making the
rear doors suicide style. On back the rear "thruster" is also on
the elongated oval sporting a solid red insert with central
trimming and badging, and a thin white light for the backup
lighting in the very center. 15-inch Torque thrust wheels are on
all 4 corners.
Interior
A swing of the doors and we see tuck and roll vertically ribbed
white vinyl with some stainless panels as accenting within this
space. The driver's door is missing its armrest, but is included
with the car, and a gaggle wiring is protruding from a hole where
the armrest would be mounted. Moving inside we have more white
vinyl in the form of a front bench with a split back and a fold
down armrest cushion in the middle. The seats are dirty and the
driver's seat is patched with white tape. Front seating is power
adjustable from the driver's side. In back is a rounded top bench
also in the tuck and roll and it is dirty but no cracks or tears
showing. Black carpeting floods the floors and is clean and not
faded. This leads us to the dash where a burl wood applique panel
is housing round gauges all lined up in front of the original
steering wheel. Within an aluminum horizontal strip below the
applique is the lineup of climate sliders, ac vents, and the radio.
Above is a tight yellowed headliner, and on back we note more
landau bars for the inside accenting on the B pillars.
Drivetrain
Our bird has a big 429ci V8 topped with a 4-barrel carburetor and a
C6 3-speed automatic on back. The rear axle is a Ford 9-inch with
2.80 conventional gears. The engine bay is unrestored and showing
some wear.
Undercarriage
Surface rust is seen throughout on various parts, although the
floor pans are solid. As we view the rockers there is a heavier
coating of surface rust on these panels and edges, although still
structurally sound. Some oiling is taking place upfront from the
engine presumably, and it has new dual mufflers now on. Power disc
brakes are upfront, and power drums for the back.
Drive-Ability
It lights right up and off to the test track where it performed as
it should. Noted, the power windows did not work. Also, consigner
states that there are replacement patch panels, the original wheels
and caps, a new vinyl top material bolt, and a replacement bumper
will come along with this car to give you a bit of a running start
to the project.
A work in progress, futuristic design. a powerful engine, and some
snazzy white contrasting the maroon body, for the landau top. Give
this one some TLC, and you'll be flying high in no time!
VIN DECODE
8Y87N139122
8-1968
Y-Wixom, MI Assy Plant
87-Thunderbird 4 Door Landau
N-429ci V8 4bbl 360hp
139122-Sequential Unit Number
WARRANTY TAG
BODY 57C-4 Door Landau
COLOR B-Maroon
TRIM 4UB-Parchment
DATE 26D-April 26th Build
DSO 16-Philadelphia
AXLE 3-Ford 9" 2.80 Conventional
TRANS U-C6 3 Speed Automatic
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 600 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia
on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914.
Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the
vehicle in person.