JFK Jr drove a red Turbo Coupe back in the day. That was when he was with Daryl Hannah. He brought it in to the Ford dealer near his mother's house in NJ for some problem or other. My friend was the mechanic who ended up working on it. He couldn't duplicate the issue. He notified John, and he told my friend to drive it for the week, with his permission, and see if the problem shows up. My friend drove it all that week, and the car ran perfectly the whole time. John and Daryl came back to pick it up, and he thanked my friend. He said they were both really nice people. I myself drove an 89 Super Coupe back in the 90s. It was, and is, one of my favorites of all the cars I have owned..
And also everyone's least favorite, the '80-'82 iteration! They were good enough for the likes of Bill Elliot, the Wood Brothers, and even Dale Earnhardt himself! Plus-which, just about every part which makes a 5.0 Fox Mustang, or will make one perform better, will do the same good job on your '80-'82 T'bird!
The Thunderbird featured is equipped with the optional "Town Landau" trim. A rare option that included brushed stainless on the roof targa, high gloss finishes on the interior faux wood, and some other bits that made it quite attractive. Excellent work, as always.
I've owned 2 1979 Thunderbirds over the years. The first one I bought in 1985 as my daily driver. It was in excellent shape and a pleasure to drive. It had bucket seats and a console shift but otherwise no extras. It had the 302 CID engine, which if I'm honest, was a little under powered for this vehicle. but consistently achieved 32 mpg during my two years of ownership. I didn't want to part with it but I was heading back to school for further education. Four years later, I purchased my next 1979 Bird. Similarly, it had the 5 L V8, and it too provided more than 30 mpg. It had AC, but ho other extras. A few years after purchase, I installed a continental kit (adding another 15 inches to length). I drove this car 31 years, and enjoyed every moment behind the wheel. In the end it was needing some body repair and I simply couldn't find anyone willing to do the work, so reluctantly I retired my beloved Thunderbird. As I may have mentioned in a previous comment, I hope to one day find a Mark V. These are virtually non existent in east coast Canada, but who knows, something may turn up. I'm in no hurry. As always, thanks very much Adam for continuing to provide us with some very fascinating automotive history! I always look forward to what you bring to us. Happy New Year!
My friend owned a Torino Bird with a 302. Only way that could achieve > 20 mpg was if it was constantly going downhill. Good looking and comfortable, but so slow we called it the Thunderpig. The 75 Chevy Malibu wagon I drove at the time with a 2 barrel 350 would easily out accelerate it. The Bird was a little more efficient but the best mpg either of those cars could get on a flat highway drive was 18-20 mpg, maybe 22-23 if you never went above 55 mph. Not sure how you could get 30+.
@@nathanexplosion5478 After the first 1979 Thunderbird, I was quite surprised by the gas mileage I achieved. I thought maybe I just got lucky. But then I had the same good fortune with my second Bird. These were just stock engines that I maintained regularly. I never drove them hard, but consistently followed speed limits, town and highway. Others I've known have not experienced what I have, so I really don't have any explanation. Up until I bought my 2009 Corolla several years ago, these Fords provided my best gas mileage over the years. Until then, I've always driven full sized cars, and I hope to go back to such a daily driver sometime this year. A 1980's Crown Vic perhaps. Hey, thanks very much for your comment. Always enjoy these kinds of stories! Cheers.
The 77-79 to me were out during my tween age and all I could could do but dream about having one someday. I eventually owned a Maroon 79 Heritage and loved it with a passion. One of the best designed T-Bird ever built. To me it’s beautiful, I would have liked to have seen it a little better less had plastic and less showing of screws but a completely sexy car.
1977 318,140 1978 352,751 1979 284,141 Total 955,032 Yeah they sold! BTW the real flop was the 80-82 Fairmont 'box' bird. But they made up for that with the beautiful 83-86 Aero birds. I liked the 89-97 MN12 birds too - especially the Super Coupes
Due to the price decrease from the Big Bird, and the aesthetic of the times, these things were EVERYWHERE. People who'd always wanted a Thunderbird could finally afford one. For 1980, Dodge introduced the Mirada, which ran through 1983, selling only 53,000 units in four years. If you look at the side view, the greenhouse was almost a copy of the Torino Bird. I seriously looked at one. Really liked it. Another Ford-like feature of that Mirada was the color scheme: Navy blue with a Camel-colored Landau vinyl roof, like Bill Blass had a side hustle with Mopar.
Pops bought a 77 Cougar XR7--white top with dark blue cushion vinyl top,blue bottom,Cougar hubs,8 track player.Very first one in town,wow what a great memory you sent this way.I drove the T-birds from then too,they weren't as "classy" feeling as the Merc, felt more sporty.Great cars back then...351Cleveland or Windsor can't remember....As a teen,those were great times.
I thought the audio was enough. It's impossible to be perfect. I hope that guy comes back to talk about the Grease soundtrack on 8 track and forcing his brother to listen to it. It really took you back to the era.
Bought a 1986 Aero Bird new, with 302 V/8 and two-tone paint, burgundy top and taupe side. This was an amazing car, quiet, handled great and never had a problem. put over 170K miles on it. Best automobile we ever had and had my share of turd's!
The mid to late 70's t-birds were a huge hit. I remember them well. Had relatives that owned them. They were comfortable and reliable. Good build quality and bodies held up better to rust than GM cars. I would own one now. Nice looking car.
I agree with you, Adam. That yellow styling proposal was just awful -- not a Thunderbird at all. I rather like these '77-'79 Thunderbirds. I have fond memories of a few of them when new. I also recall how they were received when the first hit the market. I love all Thunderbirds, and actually had a Midnight Wine '86 elan -- an amazing car in many ways.
My aunt had a ' 78 Thunderbird that she loved . It was certainly an improvement over the box Bird from ' 80 - ' 82 that you were referring to , not just the way they looked , but I have heard all about their quality issues too .
...bought this "champaine" color Thunderbird in '77, my first new car for around $9400. No moon roof, but loaded. I had it 9 months, living in an apartment complex w/a side by side interior garage, the woman who parked next to me hit my door w/hers denting/scratching mine (and hers). I knew there would never be a good color repair match, so traded it on a '75 capris two door. Sad ending to what should have been years of enjoyment.
That yellow GM type design project, for me, would kill the T-Bird by low sales, I bet, `cause is not attractive from any angle at all, so thanks to Knudsen absence, it was only a sample or demo project. Iacocca`s desing team smashed a big hit sales car in 1977, I heard the model had high sales ratings, something above 320.000 cars, probably many T Birds aspiring buyers whom did not feel comfort with the land yacht/gas guzzler Mark VI style and weight, and in the other hand many T Bird luxo trim fans but not enough money, among those folks whom loved the Torino line up, but being out of production line, they`d could buy something better in overall trim options having same size, ride and driving feels as well. I love this T Bird, since the very first time I saw it in my Caribean/spanish Popular Mechanics December 1976 issue about 1977 Detroit new line up. Finally, in my humble opinion. Chairman Lee was a true genius, very smart guy in automotive business.
Another astonishingly great video. I’d have been 12 when this came out and quite frankly I don’t even remember this iteration of the Bird. The design proposal was a train wreck! LOL. My dad did have the first Aero Bird in V6 powered trim in the 1983 model year. Very fun car for the time. However it did have a catastrophic electrical failure at about 12k miles that required several weeks in the shop and what must have been an expensive warranty repair. Otherwise my memory of the car was good.
Another great video Adam.I love your content and you sharing your automotive knowledge with all of us.The Torino-bord proposal,I saw the front end and I thought Pontiac Bonneville. Love your channel keep up the good work and as always cheers from Eulethra.
I'm an outlier LOVING '80-2 Box Birds! Most comfy lower-back support of *any* car I've had (20++ in all) and I prefer the look to that of '77-9. My small engined base '80 rode well and didn't feel weak.
I like (not love) the 80-82s as well but if I was going to have one Id rather have an XR7 and definately would NOT want one with the 4.2L/255 V-8 (which was the only V-8 available in these vehicles for 1982)
I believe you hit the right word, “handsome“. This body style always appealed to me and that would be the word I would use to describe it. I am in the minority however, I do like the 80 to 82 box birds. Thank you as always, great insights.
Ford actually won the 1978 Daytona 500 with this car Bobby Allison driving. They sold a lot of these Thunderbirds I'm really not sure why I'm talking about hundreds of thousands of them I think because General Motors downsized their vehicles everyone went to Ford who wanted a larger two-door vehicle. I actually owned a '77 model with a 351 that was a very nice car I really liked it, terrible brakes but drove and rode like a dream.
Thanks for updating the video 👌 that proposal was a stomach-churning mishmash of every marketing manager's luxury design cues. The retail model was very era-appropriate! IMHO, the aero-bird's design came to full flower in the face-lift version with the updated aerodynamic headlights. Same with the Lincoln Mk VII ❤👌😍🙌
It was kind of funny, but I've seen stranger things on videos. Some people lose audio and keep going and never do any editing or voice over. This is all free fun for us, so it is all a bonus!
Those strange rear side windows look like an afterthought, same as the ones on the Fairmont Futura. That yellow concept looked pretty nice to me, but looked more early 70's than late 70's.
This gen T-bird has almost the exact dash as the Torino/Montego. The difference was that instead of having the round gauges "Frenched" into a rearward slanting panel, they were set on a flat panel. You could also get the optional sport instrument gauge cluster, which included a tach. The sport cluster was just like the Torino/Montego cluster, which were "Frenched" in gauges. The interior of this T-bird was almost identical to the Mercury Cougar XR7, with door trim and seat design being the only difference.
The picture of the proposal for the '77 Bird bears a striking resemblance to the '71 Olds Toronado - much more so than it does to the Eldorado or the earlier Toronado you suggest.
I had a hard time with this when it came out. Granted, I was 27, but it looked like a stationary object that could only appeal to my Dad's generation. The opera windows were ridiculous and the entire roof line was over-complicated and tasteless. I'm more generous now, but these cars have not reached funky-cool for me by any means. I would go with the highest level Granada, maybe a Ghia. I know the 'Bird had more status, just based on its name and price tag, but the Granada avoided its most egregious ornamentation, and the two-door had a real personal car feel about it. Thanks for posting, Adam.
I own and LOVE my 67 Thunderbird and Thunderbirds in general BUT the 1980-82 T-bird was absolutely HORRIBLE IMO. It just does NOT look right. The only thing I like is that it has hidden headlights but even those look terrible the way they were executed !
Anyone KNOW what Ford implied on the small interior badge "RIDE ENGINEERED" on the nearly indentical (no concealed headlights) Mercury Cougar model ?!? The small plaque was mounted near the glove department and the "sister" Thunderbird did not have that notification. Basically what I'm asking is did Ford improve the suspension components in some way ? Or was this essentially a marketing gimmick and BOTH cars underpinnings were virtually identical ? Any experts from that model era greatly appreciated. Many Thanks Yo ! 🚘🔍. -- 🤷
I hated those big old boats back in the day but I wouldn't mind having one now. One with a big block 429 or 460 would be nice and might as well throw in a 5 or 6 speed stick while I'm dreaming.
I love the body style of these Thunderbirds. I had a 79 , drove great but very under powered. I now have a 78 that I put a 460 into. It solved the power issue...
I have a base ‘72 Torino and think the 5 binnacle dash design is well proportioned and although understated is one of the best dashes of the period, just contaminated with design fluff by 77.
The 71/72 full sized Fords were the nicest looking ones in years. It’s no surprise they were derived from Pontiacs; the ‘69 Catalina family were the best looking Pontiacs ever to roll.
That proposal is certainly odd. I can see the "Thunderbird" in it though. It reminds a bit of the '67-69 coupe in front quarter view if you look down the side of it. The front is awful though. I imagine they were trying to riff on the Mustang II and Pinto front ends where the headlights were in sort of a raised housing and then it drops down before the grille starts. Anyway, I don't mind the boxy bird at all in a vacuum, but I'll bet a Thunderbird owner walking into a dealer in 1980 and seeing it parked next to a Fairmont and a Granada would be a bit turned off, haha.
Never liked the 'aero-bird' or any of the Ford 'aero' cars. I love the boxy styling of the late 70s and early 80s cars. Especially GM cars. They definitely have always been the best styled of any of the makes.
It' is like you say, too many different design themes/elements. It was a mistake to try and make the Tbird look more like a Pontiac. Ford always had their own design themes, and many of them looked great. As for that proposal, almost looks like a Chrysler from the side, and the back window is horrible.
This being called the Torino bird is perfect for this car. I didn't like it at all. 65 give or take a year, in my opinion was the best Thunderbird, followed by the original two seater, then the Aerobird. In 77, the Torino was gone, replaced by the LTD II. The Thunderbird was essentially the same car with Thunderbird logo badges and nameplates. The reason it did so well in sales wasn't anything more than the price was cut so much it was made affordable to the Fairlane/Torino market. Buyers could buy a car with Thunderbird logos on it that they otherwise couldn't afford. The reasons for the slow start of the aerobird was the country was just coming out of a recession and buyers were having a tough time making up their minds as to choosing Thunderbird or Mercury Cougar, the sister car to the Thunderbird. I remember sitting in the office with my entire department looking at the pictures in advertisements for both cars and debating, which was the better looking. While I was going with the Thunderbird, the majority of my colleagues were picking the Cougar. I think Cougar was leading the sales race most of that year. As far as I was concerned, Thunderbird was not even a consideration from about 1969 till 1984.
The production car is larger than some NYC apartments, 😂. Man, it's wonderful. When did Bill Ford fire Lee IOU a Coca Cola? Some elements of the Proposal is quite all right. It doesn't ooze Ford, though. I like the design of the 80 to 82 Box Bird. It looked handsome, still had the plushness, and felt shortened down 70s, with folding lights. I believe Ford began working with Mazda, whose early concept for the 88 MX6 did inspire some styling cues. Mazda introduced a concept around 83, which became the 88 mx6. And, of course, Ford influenced Mazda.
I remember how disappointed I was when this series of Thunderbird debuted after how big and luxurious the prior series was in comparison and lamented the change throughout its entire run as I passed by the Ford dealership every day on my way to high school. It seemed like such a disappointment until the next series came out on the fox chassis and was so poorly built. Yup. The Torino birds don’t seem so bad anymore especially since they had a pretty darn good ride.
This is a beautiful rendition of a Thunderbird. Was big and bold and quiet comfortable, a personal luxury cruiser. That proposal looks like another design failure from Chrysler in that same era.
I see 2nd gen Toronado, especially given the back glass which looks, from this angle, to be creased. Interesting that this proposal doesn't include the 5mph bumper.
What they did to T-Birds beginning in the 70s was disgusting. They were essentially turned into Lincolns. +2 oversized clunkers, -1 sports car. Didn't wise up for at least a couple of decades.
To me the 1980-82 T-Bird when compared to the previous generation looks like an elderly, very ill athlete compared to his playing days. He's lost a considerable amount of weight but you can still see the resemblance. A little dark, I know, but that's what it reminds me of.
For some reason, this generation of the T-Bird had a very weak electrical system. I recall soon after they were new seeing many with very dim lights. Was it due to a crappy alternator?
Grounds around the engine compartment are susceptible to rust, most (no all - as with most domestics at the time had weak alternators - trying to save money) didn't have enough grounds either
Sorry people bullied you into fixing this as it was fine as-is since it’s basically a podcast anyway. 😂 Like they couldn’t handle just picturing a Ford TBird in their head for 2 to 3 minutes. I usually end up scrolling the concurrent Wikipedia article while you talk anyway. 😅 I said on the previous upload I actually like the proposal, it’s just inappropriate for a premium Ford as it looks like a hodgepodge GM luxury coupe. WTF were they thinking?? 🤔 😅
Comparing the 1977 and onward T-Birds to the pre-1977 T Birds is not an apple to apples comparison. That would be similar to comparing a Chevrolet Mote Carlo to a Cadillac. The pre-1977 T-Birds were high end luxury cars sharing mechanicals with the Lincoln Mark series. 1977 and onward the T-Bird was a mid-range personal luxury car comparable to the Monte Carlo, Grand Prix, Cordoba............etc.
As aeridynamic as St Paul’s Catgedral, and probably weighed as much. The EuroCari had huge overhangs, and the V4 engines in mk1 so were so far from the snout that it was silly, . , the Capri2 had an even longer snout, just why Ford??
I had this exact color t-bird. Same velour interior. I ordered new and kept it for 4 years. I loved this car. Never had any repair problems. I thought It was very stylish. Great styling and engineering.
I used to enjoy your videos but lately you are giving some misinformation, and really sarcastic opinions that may not be taken well by some. Check your facts and dial back the attitude so we can enjoy your posts as they used to be. 🙂
JFK Jr drove a red Turbo Coupe back in the day. That was when he was with Daryl Hannah. He brought it in to the Ford dealer near his mother's house in NJ for some problem or other. My friend was the mechanic who ended up working on it. He couldn't duplicate the issue. He notified John, and he told my friend to drive it for the week, with his permission, and see if the problem shows up. My friend drove it all that week, and the car ran perfectly the whole time. John and Daryl came back to pick it up, and he thanked my friend. He said they were both really nice people.
I myself drove an 89 Super Coupe back in the 90s. It was, and is, one of my favorites of all the cars I have owned..
Thanks for fixing the end and including the Turbo Coupe !! I had an 84 and loved it - great size and performance for the era.
And also everyone's least favorite, the '80-'82 iteration! They were good enough for the likes of Bill Elliot, the Wood Brothers, and even Dale Earnhardt himself!
Plus-which, just about every part which makes a 5.0 Fox Mustang, or will make one perform better, will do the same good job on your '80-'82 T'bird!
The Thunderbird featured is equipped with the optional "Town Landau" trim. A rare option that included brushed stainless on the roof targa, high gloss finishes on the interior faux wood, and some other bits that made it quite attractive. Excellent work, as always.
Those Aero Birds really looked clean, even today hold up well.
I've owned 2 1979 Thunderbirds over the years. The first one I bought in 1985 as my daily driver. It was in excellent shape and a pleasure to drive. It had bucket seats and a console shift but otherwise no extras. It had the 302 CID engine, which if I'm honest, was a little under powered for this vehicle. but consistently achieved 32 mpg during my two years of ownership. I didn't want to part with it but I was heading back to school for further education. Four years later, I purchased my next 1979 Bird. Similarly, it had the 5 L V8, and it too provided more than 30 mpg. It had AC, but ho other extras. A few years after purchase, I installed a continental kit (adding another 15 inches to length). I drove this car 31 years, and enjoyed every moment behind the wheel. In the end it was needing some body repair and I simply couldn't find anyone willing to do the work, so reluctantly I retired my beloved Thunderbird. As I may have mentioned in a previous comment, I hope to one day find a Mark V. These are virtually non existent in east coast Canada, but who knows, something may turn up. I'm in no hurry. As always, thanks very much Adam for continuing to provide us with some very fascinating automotive history! I always look forward to what you bring to us. Happy New Year!
My friend owned a Torino Bird with a 302. Only way that could achieve > 20 mpg was if it was constantly going downhill. Good looking and comfortable, but so slow we called it the Thunderpig. The 75 Chevy Malibu wagon I drove at the time with a 2 barrel 350 would easily out accelerate it. The Bird was a little more efficient but the best mpg either of those cars could get on a flat highway drive was 18-20 mpg, maybe 22-23 if you never went above 55 mph. Not sure how you could get 30+.
@@nathanexplosion5478 After the first 1979 Thunderbird, I was quite surprised by the gas mileage I achieved. I thought maybe I just got lucky. But then I had the same good fortune with my second Bird. These were just stock engines that I maintained regularly. I never drove them hard, but consistently followed speed limits, town and highway. Others I've known have not experienced what I have, so I really don't have any explanation. Up until I bought my 2009 Corolla several years ago, these Fords provided my best gas mileage over the years. Until then, I've always driven full sized cars, and I hope to go back to such a daily driver sometime this year. A 1980's Crown Vic perhaps. Hey, thanks very much for your comment. Always enjoy these kinds of stories! Cheers.
Thanks! At the time, I first thought my computer monitor had crashed!! 🤣🤣
Really miss the velour interiors
The 77-79 to me were out during my tween age and all I could could do but dream about having one someday. I eventually owned a Maroon 79 Heritage and loved it with a passion. One of the best designed T-Bird ever built. To me it’s beautiful, I would have liked to have seen it a little better less had plastic and less showing of screws but a completely sexy car.
1977 318,140
1978 352,751
1979 284,141
Total 955,032
Yeah they sold!
BTW the real flop was the 80-82 Fairmont 'box' bird. But they made up for that with the beautiful 83-86 Aero birds. I liked the 89-97 MN12 birds too - especially the Super Coupes
Due to the price decrease from the Big Bird, and the aesthetic of the times, these things were EVERYWHERE. People who'd always wanted a Thunderbird could finally afford one. For 1980, Dodge introduced the Mirada, which ran through 1983, selling only 53,000 units in four years. If you look at the side view, the greenhouse was almost a copy of the Torino Bird. I seriously looked at one. Really liked it. Another Ford-like feature of that Mirada was the color scheme: Navy blue with a Camel-colored Landau vinyl roof, like Bill Blass had a side hustle with Mopar.
We agree with your choice of the Aero styling as being the high point of T-Bird design, it was right-sized and styled for the time.
I have a 78 75th Anniversary model in Apricot. Great car. 👍
Pops bought a 77 Cougar XR7--white top with dark blue cushion vinyl top,blue bottom,Cougar hubs,8 track player.Very first one in town,wow what a great memory you sent this way.I drove the T-birds from then too,they weren't as "classy" feeling as the Merc, felt more sporty.Great cars back then...351Cleveland or Windsor can't remember....As a teen,those were great times.
Like 351W. After 74 there was no 351C only the 351W or 351M (a destroked 400) and the 351M was mostly a truck engine.
I also had a 77 Cougar Xr-7, same car & it was a nice car.
Thanks for fixing the video.
You cheeky human.
I want another Town Landau. I am a GM guy but these cars were pretty good.
The proposal looks like an alternate history for a 77 Grand Prix coupe had Pontiac kept the early 70s design language.
I thought the audio was enough. It's impossible to be perfect. I hope that guy comes back to talk about the Grease soundtrack on 8 track and forcing his brother to listen to it. It really took you back to the era.
Bought a 1986 Aero Bird new, with 302 V/8 and two-tone paint, burgundy top and taupe side. This was an amazing car, quiet, handled great and never had a problem. put over 170K miles on it. Best automobile we ever had and had my share of turd's!
I had one and loved driving it!
The mid to late 70's t-birds were a huge hit. I remember them well. Had relatives that owned them. They were comfortable and reliable. Good build quality and bodies held up better to rust than GM cars. I would own one now. Nice looking car.
Thank you Adam for the added content.
I liked the 80-82 TBirds. Used to own one. It was decently affordable to drive and I liked the styling.
That proposal is the Ford Elite with the exception that the Elite had only 2 headlamps. What do you think.?
Exactly what I thought when I saw it
I agree with you, Adam. That yellow styling proposal was just awful -- not a Thunderbird at all. I rather like these '77-'79 Thunderbirds. I have fond memories of a few of them when new. I also recall how they were received when the first hit the market. I love all Thunderbirds, and actually had a Midnight Wine '86 elan -- an amazing car in many ways.
My aunt had a ' 78 Thunderbird that she loved . It was certainly an improvement over the box Bird from ' 80 - ' 82 that you were referring to , not just the way they looked , but I have heard all about their quality issues too .
I love the 77-79 T-bird. Road so smooth.
I had a 1987 T-Bird Turbo Coupe. It was refreshed in 1987. That was one car I wished it never got away.
I have one of those that got away too. 92 OBS Bronco.
...bought this "champaine" color Thunderbird in '77, my first new car for around $9400. No moon roof, but loaded. I had it 9 months, living in an apartment complex w/a side by side interior garage, the woman who parked next to me hit my door w/hers denting/scratching mine (and hers). I knew there would never be a good color repair match, so traded it on a '75 capris two door. Sad ending to what should have been years of enjoyment.
That yellow GM type design project, for me, would kill the T-Bird by low sales, I bet, `cause is not attractive from any angle at all, so thanks to Knudsen absence, it was only a sample or demo project. Iacocca`s desing team smashed a big hit sales car in 1977, I heard the model had high sales ratings, something above 320.000 cars, probably many T Birds aspiring buyers whom did not feel comfort with the land yacht/gas guzzler Mark VI style and weight, and in the other hand many T Bird luxo trim fans but not enough money, among those folks whom loved the Torino line up, but being out of production line, they`d could buy something better in overall trim options having same size, ride and driving feels as well. I love this T Bird, since the very first time I saw it in my Caribean/spanish Popular Mechanics December 1976 issue about 1977 Detroit new line up. Finally, in my humble opinion. Chairman Lee was a true genius, very smart guy in automotive business.
Thanks for the updated video.
Another astonishingly great video. I’d have been 12 when this came out and quite frankly I don’t even remember this iteration of the Bird. The design proposal was a train wreck! LOL. My dad did have the first Aero Bird in V6 powered trim in the 1983 model year. Very fun car for the time. However it did have a catastrophic electrical failure at about 12k miles that required several weeks in the shop and what must have been an expensive warranty repair. Otherwise my memory of the car was good.
I remember seeing these on the road back in the day.. memories
Another great video Adam.I love your content and you sharing your automotive knowledge with all of us.The Torino-bord proposal,I saw the front end and I thought Pontiac Bonneville. Love your channel keep up the good work and as always cheers from Eulethra.
I'm an outlier LOVING '80-2 Box Birds! Most comfy lower-back support of *any* car I've had (20++ in all) and I prefer the look to that of '77-9. My small engined base '80 rode well and didn't feel weak.
I'm with you. My Box Bird was the Silver Anniversary edition, so it had the 302 V-8, although really no cars were very powerful in those years.
I like (not love) the 80-82s as well but if I was going to have one Id rather have an XR7 and definately would NOT want one with the 4.2L/255 V-8 (which was the only V-8 available in these vehicles for 1982)
@@Paul1958R You could get the 302. My T-Bird had that and I believe it was available in the XR7, too in 1980 and 1981.
I believe you hit the right word, “handsome“. This body style always appealed to me and that would be the word I would use to describe it. I am in the minority however, I do like the 80 to 82 box birds. Thank you as always, great insights.
Ford actually won the 1978 Daytona 500 with this car Bobby Allison driving. They sold a lot of these Thunderbirds I'm really not sure why I'm talking about hundreds of thousands of them I think because General Motors downsized their vehicles everyone went to Ford who wanted a larger two-door vehicle. I actually owned a '77 model with a 351 that was a very nice car I really liked it, terrible brakes but drove and rode like a dream.
I've owned a good number of vehicles, and my 77 Thunderbird is one of my favorites. sorry you think so lowly of this model..
Thanks for updating the video 👌 that proposal was a stomach-churning mishmash of every marketing manager's luxury design cues. The retail model was very era-appropriate! IMHO, the aero-bird's design came to full flower in the face-lift version with the updated aerodynamic headlights. Same with the Lincoln Mk VII ❤👌😍🙌
I can recall using that front bumper as a chair back in my adolescent years!
Thanks for the Aero-Bird pic and new content!
It was kind of funny, but I've seen stranger things on videos. Some people lose audio and keep going and never do any editing or voice over. This is all free fun for us, so it is all a bonus!
From the era of small trunks, cramped interiors, and enormous hoods.
Those strange rear side windows look like an afterthought, same as the ones on the Fairmont Futura. That yellow concept looked pretty nice to me, but looked more early 70's than late 70's.
This gen T-bird has almost the exact dash as the Torino/Montego. The difference was that instead of having the round gauges "Frenched" into a rearward slanting panel, they were set on a flat panel. You could also get the optional sport instrument gauge cluster, which included a tach. The sport cluster was just like the Torino/Montego cluster, which were "Frenched" in gauges. The interior of this T-bird was almost identical to the Mercury Cougar XR7, with door trim and seat design being the only difference.
I bought a 79 T-Bird in late 88 early 89. It didn't have ac so I suffered greatly when I moved to scorching Arizona in Summer 89 😩
These look sooooo good in black
This "basket handle" styling can be traced to 1955 Ford Crown Vics. Those too were simply "high-styled" 2-dr sedans.
The picture of the proposal for the '77 Bird bears a striking resemblance to the '71 Olds Toronado - much more so than it does to the Eldorado or the earlier Toronado you suggest.
That was my reaction, too. I had posted my comment about it on Adam's first video.
The styling on this car was forgettable... these cars were beast known for bringing the prices down & making the car more financially accesssable!
I had a hard time with this when it came out. Granted, I was 27, but it looked like a stationary object that could only appeal to my Dad's generation. The opera windows were ridiculous and the entire roof line was over-complicated and tasteless. I'm more generous now, but these cars have not reached funky-cool for me by any means. I would go with the highest level Granada, maybe a Ghia. I know the 'Bird had more status, just based on its name and price tag, but the Granada avoided its most egregious ornamentation, and the two-door had a real personal car feel about it. Thanks for posting, Adam.
Sometimes I wonder if the reason we tend to favor the cars that made it to production over the proposals is simply because we became used to them.
I think the box bird was a box simply because it was just a rewarmed Fairmont and they didn’t get the money to stray from the basic shape.
Review a 89-95 Thunderbird Super Coupe. Great driving GT car. Corners flat, rides smooth, quiet, with good midrange torque. Make it a 5 speed manual.😊
I own and LOVE my 67 Thunderbird and Thunderbirds in general BUT the 1980-82 T-bird was absolutely HORRIBLE IMO. It just does NOT look right. The only thing I like is that it has hidden headlights but even those look terrible the way they were executed !
Anyone KNOW what Ford implied on the small interior badge "RIDE ENGINEERED" on the nearly indentical (no concealed headlights) Mercury Cougar model ?!? The small plaque was mounted near the glove department and the "sister" Thunderbird did not have that notification. Basically what I'm asking is did Ford improve the suspension components in some way ? Or was this essentially a marketing gimmick and BOTH cars underpinnings were virtually identical ? Any experts from that model era greatly appreciated. Many Thanks Yo ! 🚘🔍. -- 🤷
Gr8 Stuff, Adam.😀👍
The proposed design says Pontiac to me.
I hated those big old boats back in the day but I wouldn't mind having one now. One with a big block 429 or 460 would be nice and might as well throw in a 5 or 6 speed stick while I'm dreaming.
Yes! 😅 LOL. I’m the guy from Toronto who gave that lengthy Mercury Zephyr story in the previous video!
I love the body style of these Thunderbirds. I had a 79 , drove great but very under powered. I now have a 78 that I put a 460 into. It solved the power issue...
I have a base ‘72 Torino and think the 5 binnacle dash design is well proportioned and although understated is one of the best dashes of the period, just contaminated with design fluff by 77.
The 71/72 full sized Fords were the nicest looking ones in years. It’s no surprise they were derived from Pontiacs; the ‘69 Catalina family were the best looking Pontiacs ever to roll.
Handsome cars. I also like the super birds of 1989-97.
That proposal is certainly odd. I can see the "Thunderbird" in it though. It reminds a bit of the '67-69 coupe in front quarter view if you look down the side of it. The front is awful though. I imagine they were trying to riff on the Mustang II and Pinto front ends where the headlights were in sort of a raised housing and then it drops down before the grille starts. Anyway, I don't mind the boxy bird at all in a vacuum, but I'll bet a Thunderbird owner walking into a dealer in 1980 and seeing it parked next to a Fairmont and a Granada would be a bit turned off, haha.
Reminds me of an LTD, too. Complete with the anemic 400m
To my eyes the proposal doesn't look worse than the production car.
Never liked the 'aero-bird' or any of the Ford 'aero' cars. I love the boxy styling of the late 70s and early 80s cars. Especially GM cars. They definitely have always been the best styled of any of the makes.
It' is like you say, too many different design themes/elements. It was a mistake to try and make the Tbird look more like a Pontiac. Ford always had their own design themes, and many of them looked great. As for that proposal, almost looks like a Chrysler from the side, and the back window is horrible.
This being called the Torino bird is perfect for this car. I didn't like it at all. 65 give or take a year, in my opinion was the best Thunderbird, followed by the original two seater, then the Aerobird. In 77, the Torino was gone, replaced by the LTD II. The Thunderbird was essentially the same car with Thunderbird logo badges and nameplates. The reason it did so well in sales wasn't anything more than the price was cut so much it was made affordable to the Fairlane/Torino market. Buyers could buy a car with Thunderbird logos on it that they otherwise couldn't afford. The reasons for the slow start of the aerobird was the country was just coming out of a recession and buyers were having a tough time making up their minds as to choosing Thunderbird or Mercury Cougar, the sister car to the Thunderbird. I remember sitting in the office with my entire department looking at the pictures in advertisements for both cars and debating, which was the better looking. While I was going with the Thunderbird, the majority of my colleagues were picking the Cougar. I think Cougar was leading the sales race most of that year. As far as I was concerned, Thunderbird was not even a consideration from about 1969 till 1984.
The production car is larger than some NYC apartments, 😂. Man, it's wonderful.
When did Bill Ford fire Lee IOU a Coca Cola?
Some elements of the Proposal is quite all right. It doesn't ooze Ford, though.
I like the design of the 80 to 82 Box Bird. It looked handsome, still had the plushness, and felt shortened down 70s, with folding lights.
I believe Ford began working with Mazda, whose early concept for the 88 MX6 did inspire some styling cues. Mazda introduced a concept around 83, which became the 88 mx6. And, of course, Ford influenced Mazda.
I remember how disappointed I was when this series of Thunderbird debuted after how big and luxurious the prior series was in comparison and lamented the change throughout its entire run as I passed by the Ford dealership every day on my way to high school. It seemed like such a disappointment until the next series came out on the fox chassis and was so poorly built. Yup. The Torino birds don’t seem so bad anymore especially since they had a pretty darn good ride.
This is a beautiful rendition of a Thunderbird. Was big and bold and quiet comfortable, a personal luxury cruiser.
That proposal looks like another design failure from Chrysler in that same era.
I see 2nd gen Toronado, especially given the back glass which looks, from this angle, to be creased. Interesting that this proposal doesn't include the 5mph bumper.
The previous video was just fine as it was, you really didn't need to fix a thing! 😂😂😂
Whew! Love the Adam!
What they did to T-Birds beginning in the 70s was disgusting. They were essentially turned into Lincolns. +2 oversized clunkers, -1 sports car. Didn't wise up for at least a couple of decades.
To me the 1980-82 T-Bird when compared to the previous generation looks like an elderly, very ill athlete compared to his playing days. He's lost a considerable amount of weight but you can still see the resemblance. A little dark, I know, but that's what it reminds me of.
This bird was the last 'floating' ride. My opinion, the edition with rear side side glass omitted (roof covered) was best
For some reason, this generation of the T-Bird had a very weak electrical system. I recall soon after they were new seeing many with very dim lights. Was it due to a crappy alternator?
Grounds around the engine compartment are susceptible to rust, most (no all - as with most domestics at the time had weak alternators - trying to save money) didn't have enough grounds either
Mercury Cougar was very similar.
I will watch it again
Is this for sale somewhere??? I would give all the money for it.
Sorry people bullied you into fixing this as it was fine as-is since it’s basically a podcast anyway. 😂 Like they couldn’t handle just picturing a Ford TBird in their head for 2 to 3 minutes. I usually end up scrolling the concurrent Wikipedia article while you talk anyway. 😅
I said on the previous upload I actually like the proposal, it’s just inappropriate for a premium Ford as it looks like a hodgepodge GM luxury coupe. WTF were they thinking?? 🤔 😅
Comparing the 1977 and onward T-Birds to the pre-1977 T Birds is not an apple to apples comparison. That would be similar to comparing a Chevrolet Mote Carlo to a Cadillac. The pre-1977 T-Birds were high end luxury cars sharing mechanicals with the Lincoln Mark series.
1977 and onward the T-Bird was a mid-range personal luxury car comparable to the Monte Carlo, Grand Prix, Cordoba............etc.
It’s hard to argue with success but the design is combination of cliches and not much else IMO
1st temperature going up n down zero snow view!!!
As aeridynamic as St Paul’s Catgedral, and probably weighed as much. The EuroCari had huge overhangs, and the V4 engines in mk1 so were so far from the snout that it was silly, . , the Capri2 had an even longer snout, just why Ford??
Lead sled thunder pig. And yet, I hear they handled.
I had this exact color t-bird. Same velour interior. I ordered new and kept it for 4 years. I loved this car. Never had any repair problems. I thought It was very stylish. Great styling and engineering.
As a T-Bird lover this is one of my least favorite cars.
Adam, To paraphrase an earlier comment, this 'Torino-Bird' was the last Thunderbird worth buying. 😉
👍😊
Last remnants of the Bunkie Beak
They are not bumpers, they are shelves’
I think it looks like an olds Taranto reject
I love the 1977 to 79 Thunderbirds. The proposal reeks of a downsized Pontiac😮
I think you're wrong ,or at least in my opinion that purposed t bird looks more like an olds Torinoto from 1974 o 75 then anything else.
The proposal has the misfortune of looking like the 71-72 Pontiac C body car 🤮
The alternative design proposal is so ugly, that it seems to be made by AI.
I used to enjoy your videos but lately you are giving some misinformation, and really sarcastic opinions that may not be taken well by some. Check your facts and dial back the attitude so we can enjoy your posts as they used to be. 🙂