1976 Ford Thunderbird

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!

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