Vehicle Description
63,787 original miles. Attractive color combination with beautiful
leather interior. Desirable 460 cubic inch V8. Loaded with options
including aluminum wheels. Very clean, never painted or patched.
Big engine luxury 'Bird with an appealing look. Sometimes platform
sharing works in your favor. Instead of a cheaper car being dressed
up like a luxury model, this Thunderbird is actually a Lincoln
underneath. That means a big V8 up front, pillowy-soft ride
quality, and a luxurious interior, all on a Ford budget. The long
hood, short deck styling works quite well on the Thunderbird,
giving it a lot of presence, and we like the simpler front end that
eliminates the fussy hidden headlights. This is a nice original car
that has never been restored or repainted, and as a result, it
feels very much like it would have back in the late 1970s. There's
a heavy feeling to the doors as you climb aboard and everything
feels well-damped, as if any vibration or noise was a crime. The
factory silver paint still shines up nicely and is accentuated by a
burgundy pinstripe that matches the interior. It's worth noting
that the padded landau roof is in good condition and all the glass
and lenses are quite nice, including the full-width taillights
(another Lincoln detail updated for the T-Bird). Some of the chrome
is showing its age, but nothing that needs immediate attention or
replacement, and details like the bumpers and grille are in great
shape. Even the rub strips along the car's flanks are nicely
preserved with no yellowing or peeling. Someone took good care of
this car for most of its life. Exterior notes: Original paint quite
good. Light pitting on exterior mirrors and opera window trim. Good
survivor. The beautiful burgundy leather interior further blurs the
line between Lincoln and Ford, offering up the kind of American
luxury that we probably won't see ever again. Plush deep pile
carpets keep things quiet and the seats are more easy chair than
performance bucket. That's OK because the T-Bird is all about
comfort, and includes features like power windows, power driver's
seat, remote mirrors, cruise control, A/C (needs to be serviced),
and more. Round instrument pods attempt to add a little sportiness
to the T-Bird's demeanor, and the controls are all wrapped around
the driver to make things feel personal. A decent AM/FM/8-track
stereo provides entertainment, and the power antenna works
properly. The leather seating surfaces are in great shape with the
back seat looking almost new, and even the red carpets are nicely
preserved with no fading?rare in a car with red upholstery. Even
the headliner remains in great condition with no tears or sagging.
And as a full-sized car, you get a full-sized trunk that's
beautifully upholstered in gray carpet and includes a full-sized
spare and jack assembly. Interior notes: Very nice leather
upholstery and nice carpets, no cracks in dash pad, good headliner.
Steering wheel shows age. One small crack in driver's door bezel.
Power locks and clock inop. Climate control system works but A/C
potentially needs recharge. Unable to test cruise and automatic
lights. Ford's biggest engine was standard in 1976, a 460 cubic
inch V8 making the kind of effortless torque that makes these cars
feel special on the road. It's not especially fast, but it does
whisper along at high speeds without any apparent effort, and that
was the entire point. This one starts easily and pulls well at any
speed thanks to more than 350 lb-ft. of torque on tap. Recent work
includes ignition components, belts, and hoses, so it's ready to
drive and thanks to things like electronic ignition, it's a
reliable traveling partner. The C6 3-speed automatic transmission
clicks through the gears unobtrusively and with 2.73 gears out
back, it just loafs along on the highway. As we mentioned, the ride
is Lincoln luxury smooth, and this car is still using what appears
to be its original exhaust system, so the soundtrack is
appropriately hushed. The floors are in excellent condition,
there's no rot in the usual spots, and aside from some surface rust
on the heavy metal parts, it doesn't look like it has ever seen
harsh winter weather. Better still, this car wears optional
polished aluminum wheels that are in fantastic condition and carry
big 225/75/15 whitewall radials that look right. Mechanical notes:
Drives well, lots of torque. Clean engine bay, recent service
evident. Starts and runs well. Idle a little rough when cold.
Documentation includes the original owner's manual. '70s luxury
coupes are gaining appreciation in the market simply because there
will never be anything else like them ever again. Big, comfortable,
powerful, and luxurious, they were the ultimate symbol of success
in America. Today they're still pleasant cars to drive and are
eminently affordable, so you get a whole lot of car for your money.
This T-Bird isn't a perfect car, but the basics are excellent and
it has an awesome look that makes it a great starter collectable
for just about anyone. Call today! Harwood Motors always recommends
and welcomes personal or professional inspections of any vehicle in
our inventory prior to purchase.
