Collectible Thunderbirds Design, Style and Fashion - Part 4 of 5
It is a super luxury cruiser but it is not distinctively different from the Mark IV. But then, I very much like the Mark IV too. If you like the big luxury personal cruiser look for a low miles original T-Bird or Mark IV from these years. They are available for not a whole lot of money. You can be sure that they will not be building more cars like this in the future. They were pricey luxury gas hogs that were very useful for impressing the neighbors. Today they are costly to restore if deteriorated. I predict that years from now these cruisers will be comparable to the big Packards and Marmons from the 1920’s today. Keep on the lookout for a clean original car and you may find a real bargain with respect to future appreciation.
1977 was a major turning point for the Thunderbird. From its birth in 1955 until 1977 the T-Bird had been growing in size, luxury and price. The 1977 to 1979 Thunderbird was a move down in size and price. Now 900 pounds lighter and smaller, the T-bird also sold for thousands less. Sales exploded from approximately 91,000 to an astounding 322,000 sales in 1977. Some collectors refer to this series as the "Torino Bird."
Others call it the "Fashion Bird." Built on the Ltd II chassis and mechanicals, the body was uniquely Thunderbird. The Town Landau model with a bright tiara crossing up and over the mid-roof was reminiscent of the flashy Ford Crown Victoria of 1955. The car had a distinctive architectural look to it. The public loved it!
By today’s fashion standards it looks out of date, but I will maintain that the style of the 77 to 79 T-Bird was true to the design and a beautiful car then and now. Oddly enough, I found a 1977 T-bird on someone’s list on the web of the "Ten Most Ugly Cars." This is absurd. This Thunderbird is just fine from a design and pure style standpoint. It is clearly not fashionable by today’s standard. But then, I think that the current fashion craze for ovoid "blob" cars with slanting eyes, the rear end hiked up into the air and a goofy wing on the trunk lid look utterly absurd. By analogy, what do you think of the high school basketball players today wearing baggy trunks that come down to their knees and are so big that they look like a skirt! It’s goofy! If you think that that looks good, then you should go out and buy a blob of a Japanese "buzz-box" car and forget about collector cars.
Collectors are just starting to think seriously about the 77 to 79 Thunderbirds. You should be able to find a very nice one for not much money. Look now. If you find a low mileage bird that has been well preserved now is the time to buy. In 1960 I passed on the opportunity to buy a nice 1955 Thunderbird for $1,500. In 1974 I passed on the opportunity to buy a nice 1957 Thunderbird for $3,000. The 1977 Thunderbird is now over 25 years old. If you pass on buying a nice one now, don’t cry about it ten years from now. If you are a car nut… your biggest expense is most likely to be DEPRECIATION. That is not the case with a pristine 77 to 79 Thunderbird.
The year 1980 brought a downsizing of the Thunderbird to the Ford Fox platform. Hundreds of pounds lighter and some ten inches shorter, the "Box Bird," or "Fairmont Bird," as many collectors call them have not yet found great favor with the car collectors. Sales fell off to a meager 49,000 units in 1982. I have heard this version of the Thunderbird referred to as "ugly," "over-decorated," and anemic in power. I disagree.
The 1980 Thunderbird looked very similar in many ways to the 1979, it was just smaller…. much smaller. Also, by 1982 Ford had taken some huge price increases. I think that the biggest problem with this version of the T-Bird was simply that it did not measure up to the luxury expectations of the typical Thunderbird buyer. They were shocked at the thought of paying almost twice as much for a luxury Fairmont as they had previously paid for a 1972 rebadged Lincoln Mark IV called a Thunderbird.
i got a 77 bird myself, there the best looking birds ever!!!
Comment by gunther — 6/12/2005 @ 8:33 am
I have a 79 ford T-Bird. Runs body in good condition, but cannot pass smog. I am considering selling it to the State. Do yu think I should hold on to it or do you know of anyone who is willing to give me something for my jewel…more than the State?
Comment by Jay Vassigh — 6/23/2005 @ 11:25 pm
VERY nice site you have here. One of my members at http://www.lincolnvscadillac.com pointed me to it, and I have to say, I am quite impressed.
Comment by Joeychgo — 6/29/2005 @ 11:25 pm
Great site, I never knew mine was a Torino before I came across it! It is the exact same color/year as the picture above. How could anyone call it ugly?! I only bought mine b/c of the manual windows/locks and low mileage, but personally it looks like a shark out of water to me!
Keep up the good work!
Comment by Jackie — 2/2/2006 @ 10:57 am
i have a 79 hertiage thunderbird and i think it is the hottest car ever i was wondering if i should customize it or leave it original it is baby blue and really hot and good condition
Comment by lurch69 — 9/12/2006 @ 9:52 am
i just bought a nearly mint 77 t-bird a few days ago for $650
Comment by Josh — 10/6/2006 @ 10:06 pm
i was just told of an awesome oppurtunity to buy a tbird from a friend of a friend. my friend says that its a nice red 77 tbird. He says it looks like it was just on pimp my ride, after the remodel. Im excited cuz i wanna get a cute car but im confused about one thing. He says he can get it from his friend for $350, do u think there could be some big catch? i completely dont know what to think- and u guys seem very intune about all of this…
Comment by marci — 12/31/2006 @ 1:20 pm
i have a 79 thunderbird with t-tops. do you know what this car is worth
Comment by ashley — 2/9/2007 @ 4:45 pm
I am thinking of buying a 79 Thunderbird, T-tops, original paint, no rust, stored. 119,000 miles. Where do I go to see how much it is? Thanks!
Comment by Kathy — 5/10/2007 @ 5:22 am
I am going to buy a 1979 T-bird with 41,000 miles. It is the Light Jade (Light green) with green interior. I can’t wait. $4500. I still think it is a nice bargain. Always garage kept. No rust at all. I just love the color.
Comment by Bob — 6/19/2007 @ 10:11 am
I bought a very nice, all-original 400 bick-block 77 t-bird a few months ago for 750 bucks. You just can’t find a better deal.
S.S.S.
Comment by Skyler Sorensen — 8/25/2007 @ 3:41 pm
beautifull car the 79 t bird was indeen a piec of art hfords input of the 351 clevland was also impressive
Comment by shawn douglas — 10/31/2007 @ 9:51 am
I own a 1979 Thunderbird which is light jade (green) in color. I bought the car brand new when I was just 19 years old. I drove it for a few years, then went away to school and then got a job which provided me a company car. So my T-Bird just sat there, garaged for 10 years. After that period, I bought my own house and just kept my T-Bird there in my mother’s garage. Even today, the car only has 33,628 original miles and is in mint condition. I go over a few times a year and start it up. It turns right over. I have since promised the car to my 13 year old son, telling him he can have it when he hits 25 years old. That way I can be sure he can really appreciate it and not wreck it.
Comment by Ron — 12/20/2007 @ 5:27 pm