1968 Ford Thunderbird T Bird Landau 429 in Red & Ride on My Car Story with Lou Costabile

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On "My Car Story" we're in Phoenix AZ on 1-27-24.
We're looking at a 1968 Ford Thunderbird in Candy Apple Red Paint. The car comes with the 429 CI V8 engine and an automatic transmission.
The car's Owner is Kelly Castle. Kelly’s had this car since 2017. Kelly shares he had a car like this in High School and wanted to another one. Well happy to say he not only found this one, but he now restores late 1960’s Thunderbirds and has 5 of them.
ENJOY!

[@loucostabile]

Hi, If you like this video, please click on SUPER THANKS ❤ with the $ in the middle which is the SUPER THANKS button under the video. Thank you! Lou

[@douglasb.1203]

There is passion in the design of this exquisite car. Human hands molding clay perfecting form & function. Style for miles.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Douglas B., Happy to read you appreciate the passion in the design of this car :-) Thank you for viewing, sharing and I believe you're going to see many more cars on this Channel you'll enjoy. Hope you Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this KZbin Channel, Lou

[@douglasb.1203]

@@loucostabile you're a class act Lou. Have continued success.

[@TheGunfighter45acp]

From the 429 underhood, to the iconic sequential taillights, and certainly the luxurious interior, this T-Bird has all you need to enjoy the road and arrive in style! I am truly enjoying Mr. Castle's collection. And, I'm glad Christine behaved while you guys were cruising... Thanks, Lou!

[@loucostabile]

Hi TheGunfighter45acp, "this T-Bird has all you need to enjoy the road and arrive in style!" Will said, and I agree. Calm ride.....she was a good girl :-) You're welcome, Lou

[@citibear57]

Beautiful Thunderbird! I agree Lou, the wrap-around rear seat back was really special. I was 11 years old when this car was built, and I used to imagine how cozy it would be sitting back there. Mr. Castle seems like a great guy - just like you and me, Lou! 😁

[@loucostabile]

Hi Mike, Happy to read you enjoy the looks of this car :-) You picked the right word for the back seat "cozy", Lou

[@hrc5534]

What a beautiful car. I remember when these were new and how neat I thought that sequential turn signal was. Great American style unlike the boring crap we have now. It seems like the further back you go the better it gets. I find it incredible that someone like this gentleman can take an old beat up car and bring it back to looking like new. What an amazing skill!

[@loucostabile]

Hi HRC, Happy to read "What a beautiful car." :-) Glad Kelly has the skills to bring these cars back to life. Lou

[@johncornell3665]

These cars were always so cool. Truly iconic. Thanks Lou!

[@loucostabile]

Happy to share this "Truly iconic" car with you. You're welcome John!

[@jd4harley]

Beautiful piece of automotive history

[@loucostabile]

Happy to read you enjoy the looks of this car :-)

[@jeffreyerickson6766]

My favorite year of Thunderbird

[@loucostabile]

Happy to read this is your favorite year :-)

[@davidkastin4240]

Mr. Castle did a great job restoring this one. Love it! The alligator vinyl top is the icing on the cake ❤

[@loucostabile]

Hi David, Happy to read "Love it!" :-) Lou

[@czechmate6916]

Beautiful car and he does some excellent work in restoration of them.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Czech Mate, Happy to read you enjoy the looks of this car :-) Lou

[@Iraqkingdom1921]

Beautiful color....

[@loucostabile]

I agree.

[@dave1956]

This generation of Thunderbird was my favorite. I can remember going to the local Ford dealer when the ‘67’s & ‘68’s were introduced. The Thunderbird always had “something special”.

[@loucostabile]

Happy to read "This generation of Thunderbird was my favorite" :-) NICE!

[@budgetaudiophilelife-long5461]

🙋‍♂️THANKS LOU, KELLY 🤗FOR SHARING,two of five , Sequential turn signals, cool back in the day and now I would still ❤️them 😎💚💚💚

[@loucostabile]

You're welcome Budget Audiophile Life-long. Stay tuned, all 5 will show up.

[@cjdesign5700]

What a classy car...so surprised you see so few. Thanks Kelly "T-Bird" Castle, and Lou.

[@loucostabile]

Hi CJ Design, Happy to share this "classy car" with you :-) You're welcome, Lou

[@mrrepurpose9596]

I got a soft spot for this car. My uncle bought a new Tbird every 2 years throughout the 1960s. Nice to see a shining example.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Mr Repurpose, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your Uncles car :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou

[@rexspangler4641]

First year for the 429: what a powerhouse!! Nice Bird!!

[@loucostabile]

Happy to share this "powerhouse" Bird with you :-)

[@jonmoore8995]

It's so good that people like Kelly preserve and restore these TBirds, which in their day were special, and now are spectacular. Those adds back in the day were so classy, 15:16

[@loucostabile]

Hi Jon, "It's so good that people like Kelly preserve and restore these TBirds" I agree. Happy to read "which in their day were special, and now are spectacular. " :-) NICE! Lou

[@danielulz1640]

A real beauty, beautifully restored. 😍

[@loucostabile]

Happy to read you enjoy the looks of this car :-)

[@JeffKing310]

These Thunderbirds are very cool. And the Trunk and Treats are great as always. Thanks for brightening my day Lou!

[@loucostabile]

Hi Jeff, Lot's of trunk and treats with Kelly. Happy to do some "Bird watching" with you. You're welcome, and you brighten my day too, Lou

[@gmpny3945]

Thank you for sharing this beautiful car. The 1967-1969 generation of Thunderbirds were so futuristic. I also remember them being pricey when they were new back in the day.

[@loucostabile]

You're welcome GMP NY. Happy to read you enjoy the looks of this car.

[@ppeters480]

Thanks Lou for bringing us another great Thunderbird like this one, what a beauty! Glad you liked the N Phoenix Mountain views !

[@loucostabile]

Hi Pavel 517, You're welcome. My pleasure sharing this "beauty" with you. Lou

[@chuckselvage3157]

Thats what you want in a cruiser,a Thunderbird with a 429.And her name is Christine and plays old rock n roll songs lol. Thanks for the video.

[@loucostabile]

"Thats what you want in a cruiser, a Thunderbird with a 429.And her name is Christine and plays old rock n roll songs" You're right :-) You're welcome for the video.

[@kc0lif]

I like that generation of thunderbird.

[@loucostabile]

Happy to read "I like that generation of thunderbird." :-) NICE!

[@bighank796]

Another beauty from lou 👉 the " pastor" of classics.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Big Hank, Happy to share this "beauty" with you :-) Lou

[@bighank796]

@@loucostabile I absolutely love your channel,and look forward to your videos

[@petestaint8312]

Holy mac and cheese, Lou! Another of my favorite T-Birds. Awesome. 👍

[@loucostabile]

Hi Pete's Taint, Happy to read this one is a favorite of yours :-) Lou

[@michaelhintz6187]

Another sweet ride from Lou. Love those birds. 👍👍

[@loucostabile]

Hi Michael, Happy to do "Bird watching" with you :-) Lou

[@Slimjim260]

You’re right about that back seat Lou best design ever!!

[@loucostabile]

Makes you feel all cozy Popie :-)

[@ultraviolettp3446]

Thanks to your channel, Lou, I am SLOWLY starting to appreciate those 1967-1969 T-Birds (though the 4-doors remain a bit out of my wheelhouse). Beautiful car and I so appreciate those who preserve Detroit iron that are often ignored by the "in-crowd" of collectors who seek the quick buck opportunities. Once again, Lou, your channel is superb! Oh, how I love those full-width tail lights! I also want to add how I so appreciate you when you ask the owner "May I open the door?" before you actually go inside the car. That is so professional and classy. Never assume and this empowers the owner and shows utmost respect to the owner and to the car!

[@loucostabile]

Hi ultraviolet tp, Happy to read your enjoying "Bird watching" with me :-) A rare site to see this one today. Glad to be able to share with you, Lou

[@bruceh92]

Any Ford with a 429 is cool in my books. The hide-a-way headlights are a nice feature too. Thanks for video Lou!

[@loucostabile]

Hi Bruce H., "Any Ford with a 429 is cool in my books" NICE! You're welcome, Lou

[@robertreynolds1606]

I owned a 68 T Bird in 1970. Bought it used from Luke Bolton Ford in Plantation FL. It was my wedding limo when I left the church in 1971. It was Blue, dark blue interior 2 door coup no padded roof, thank GOD! It was a 429 Thunder jet Engine also. Had nothing but trouble with the car, Carburetor, electric windows, & on & on...the heartbreaking part was I traded my 1964 Thunderbird which was flawless but did not have A/C but a much more reliable car but had no AC being a NY car. Loved them but they were hard to keep running

[@loucostabile]

Hi Robert, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your car :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing. Hope you see many cars on this Channel you enjoy! Please Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this KZbin Channel, Lou

[@danam0228]

Lol, this guy's awesome, cornering the market on a very cool car

[@loucostabile]

You're right. He likes "Bird watching" :-)

[@danam0228]

@@loucostabile lol

[@JaimeSalcedoA_72]

Fantastic job Kelly Castle has done restoring this extraordinary 1968 Ford Thunderbird T Bird in that beautiful Candy Apple Red color! With straight but attractive lines, along with its elegant black vinyl roof in Landau style, this is a car to admire. A nice black interior, with those comfortable and ergonomic seats (especially its wide curved rear seat) and its attractive instrument panel, and steering wheel, trimmed in wood. As always, I like all those well-preserved old manuals and brochures in the trunk. The final route was excellent; with those magnificent landscapes as a backdrop, while its owner told additional interesting anecdotes (like why she named the vehicle "Christine"; since its radio turned on by itself!). Anyway, this scared me a little! Ha ha. Best regards, Lou!

[@loucostabile]

Hi Jaime, Happy to read you appreciate the work that went into this car :-) Enjoy reading the details you see. Glad to share the ride with you, Lou

[@motorTranz]

Another Beautiful Bird from Kelly 😍😍😍😍😍 Thanks Lou!

[@loucostabile]

Hi motorTranz, More "bird watching" with Kelly :-) You're welcome, Lou

[@rayrussell6258]

My first new car was a red '79 T'bird. Growing up I had always liked the looks of Thunderbirds, inside and out, so when I could afford one, it was the choice for me. I still have the car, in fact. On this '68 edition, the 4-door even looks good. However the 2-door with the landau vinyl roof is the best of the best. Glad you pointed out the turquoise highlights on the wheel covers and the landau. I'd forgotten that detail on these later model years. On earlier model years the turquoise ornamentation theme was a bit more obvious in a walkaround.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Ray, Happy to read you still have your cool car. Glad to read you enjoy the looks of this car. Lou

[@Warrior_Resisting_Colonialism]

This ones much like mine, save for the vinyl top. My favorite so far I think in Kelly's collection. Real nice.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Wabanaki Warrior - Mi'kmaw Indian of Mi'kma'ki, Happy to read you have a fun car like this too. Lou

[@thomketron4412]

Years ago a man gave me a 68 Thunderbird with a 428 and it ran. We rebuild some of the car, transmission, exhaust, brakes, etc. Neighbors son bought it & wrecked it

[@loucostabile]

Hi Thom, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your car :-) Sad to read the end result :-( Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou

[@terryeustice5399]

I had one of these. I intend to restore. A 4 door suicide entry. Pretty car. Mine was also red. Thanks Lou ! 💯👊👍

[@loucostabile]

Hi Terry, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your 4 door car :-) Thank you for viewing, sharing, and you're welcome, Lou

[@poisedforduty]

Working Clock always a plus

[@loucostabile]

:-)

[@matrox]

The 65' T-Bird was the first T-Bird and possibly the first car to have sequential turn signals.

[@loucostabile]

Thank you Nicky for sharing your knowledge.

[@user-ys7ng6hq5j]

Чудове авто! Це історія! Дякую!

[@loucostabile]

Hi Сергій, Happy to read you enjoy this "Great car" :-) You're welcome, Lou

[@desiderium3243]

You really knock it out of the park with these videos, probably the best coverage of a 68. Tbird is your channel. My favorite year personally. (not including the 55 to 57) I guess my second favorite would be a 67 four-door and of course the 69 is very similar to the 68 only with a little bit of a bolder grill.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Desiderium, Happy to read "probably the best coverage of a 68. Tbird is your channel" :-) A "rare Bird" to find one today. My pleasure sharing this one with you, Lou

[@wildcolonialman]

Fabulous fabulous.

[@loucostabile]

High praise.

[@jackdarbyshire5888]

Nice car, my friend had a green one and it was a great Cruiser,I loved the fact it had telescopic steering 👍

[@loucostabile]

Hi Jack, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your Friends green car :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing. Hope you see many cars on this Channel you enjoy! Please Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this KZbin Channel, Lou

[@mannfan12]

Oh I see. He put LED bulbs in the rear lights. Thats cool. Makes the sequential turn signal really “pop”.

[@loucostabile]

Thank you for sharing what you notice and like :-)

[@billbright1755]

Nice Lou. Has a bit of Mercury Cougar look to it. Overall a nice looking Ford . Has louvres behind rear glass.

[@Warrior_Resisting_Colonialism]

Yeah they do look a bit like a big, first gen cougar.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Bill, Happy to read you enjoy this "nice looking Ford" :-) Lou

[@ppeters480]

Thanks!

[@loucostabile]

Hi Pavel 517, SUPER THANK YOU FOR THE SUPER THANKS! I appreciate the support, Lou

[@drakbar5957]

It ain’t ground transportation… it’s a Glamour Bird ready to take flight!

[@loucostabile]

NICE!

[@scottlogan2971]

This '68 is also optioned with the very rare stainless steel body side molding!

[@loucostabile]

Hi Scott, Thank you for viewing and sharing what you notice. Lou

[@johnhenrymcmahon6878]

My big bro Lou right there. St. Lou!! St. Louis IX of France (one of my all time heroes, BTW)! Oh boy, big bro-you guys got my floppy DC sneakers blown right offa my tubesocked stocking JV baseball jock feet (I am KO'd and dreaming of chicks so it's ALL GOOD ;) with this truly ecclesiastical (how about that for a description?! lol 🤣) As a former altar boy (proud Roman Catholic and perpetual blue collar working class wise ass pretty boy Robin kid) it just sprung to mind, Lou 🤣🤪. Kelly C. looks like a great and genuine guy and is one of my favorite guests you bring on. These late 60's Thunderbirds are truly unique and fascinating to me. Very formal and "Addams Family", and JV here thinks that is pretty freakin' cool, man! They are WILDLY eccentric cars. I love the wood trim inside and that backseat?!....well, suffice it to say I would get into ALL sorts of trouble back there with many cute chickies ;), as I am quite sure you could respectfully agree. Wild and wonderful. Amazing automotive creativity and innovation in these 'Birds, for sure ;). A different time that we can all appreciate. Thanks big bro! I salute you, man! JV Johnny ⚾⚾

[@loucostabile]

Hey JV Johnny, I thought you were going to say St. Louis, as in the Cardinals....(you know for this car) the Red Birds :-) Glad to share this rare Bird with you. You're welcome, Lou

[@davidphillips5395]

I was working as a Ford dealer mechanic in 1973. I had one of these come in with turn signal issues. It would randomly flash - inner, outer, center; center, outer, inner; center, inner, outer ... and such. These later 'Birds had a "black box" that controlled the sequencing and was usually the easy ... not this time. While scratching my head, the customer walked back, and we started discussing the issue. He told me there'd been a burned-out bulb and he decided to replace all of them while he was at it. Hmmm. I pulled the assembly apart and looked at one of the bulbs. "1157" "Toshiba" I went to the parts room and grabbed 6, "1157" "GE". Inner, center, outer every time.

[@loucostabile]

Hi David, Isn't that something. Great tip! Thank you, Lou

[@mitchellyardanoff4666]

I guess the Toshiba bulb works best in Japanese cars?

[@gevowavemagnet]

My uncle had a white one with the suicide back doors, a long time ago.

[@loucostabile]

Like this one? kzbin.info/www/bejne/bnyyo5aordGof9k

[@davidrogers2085]

To cool. NEVER EVER ERD of this model ! Great car to showcase Lou. 👌 One question, my brother. Any idea if this baby was tested in the quarter mile ?

[@loucostabile]

Hi David, Happy to read you enjoy this car :-) Hmmm, never thought about this car in the 1/4 mile so I don't know what this car would do. Lou

[@Warrior_Resisting_Colonialism]

They come with 2.80 or 3.00 rear gear ratios...Mine had the 2.80's but it still smoke the tire off at will. I swapped in a set of 3.25's from a truck but haven't driven it with it running properly yet (carb adjustment issues). They're 4k plus lbs. The 429 offers 375 ponies with 11.3 compression. c6 trans and 9 3/8 rear (extra overkill beefy heavy 9"). They get along real nice!

[@jamesharris2615]

Wow Lou! Kinda went in hard on the sales brochure, didn't you?😆

[@loucostabile]

....my wife said the same thing before she said "I do" :-)

[@jamesharris2615]

@@loucostabile 😆😆😆

[@variousvisfineart]

My first car was a 1968 2 door tbird. Did you notice how thick the door was?

[@loucostabile]

Hi Jon, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your 1st car :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing. Hope you see many cars on this Channel you enjoy! Please Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this KZbin Channel, Lou

[@bobpierce115]

The 1968 model was a great 2nd year refinement for the 5th generation T-Bird, not unlike the '59 was for the 2nd, or the '65 was for the 4th. Just concentrating on the 2-door (not 4) here, this is just gorgeous. I'm only sorry Ford ended the convertible with the '66, because these were just as deserving. I heard a long time ago Ford felt the Mustang had taken over the sporty car market slot for Ford, making it unnecessary for the T-Bird to continue the tradition. I disagree. That may have been true for the '70-'71 and the Mark IV-based models that followed, but 1967-'69 was too soon.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Bob, Thanks for viewing and sharing your knowledge, Lou

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

👍👍

[@loucostabile]

:-)

[@matrox]

7:00 Thats the same chick who who was monitoring the pit activities.

[@loucostabile]

Thank you for sharing.

[@TheSpritz0]

Auto manufacturers could NEVER get the “Hidden Headlights” ever perfected- they shouldn’t have tried in the first place as it made for a lot of repairs (including me in my 1980’s firebird) that were expensive..,

[@loucostabile]

Hi TheSpritz0, "Hidden Headlights" Such a cool look and such a challenge to work right. Lou

[@TheSpritz0]

@@loucostabile I don't think they will ever be sold (mainstream) again- they still couldn't get them to work 100%!!

[@Warrior_Resisting_Colonialism]

@@TheSpritz0 You never know. They have kits to convert many of them to electric. They work great that way. The vacuum factory ones, were always problematic. They work on my '68 t-bird just fine still though......or they did, before I re-routed hoses. I just have to find out what I did wrong to fix it.

[@al_dente4777]

It's idling way too high. That's a lovely color. If it didn't have a vinyl top and the interior was white, that would give it a sort of gentlemanly villainess

[@loucostabile]

Thanks for viewing and sharing.

[@Warrior_Resisting_Colonialism]

They idle high when cold then kick down to warm idle.

[@wmalden]

1968 with head restraints? Were those an option? We had a 1968 Falcon - no head restraints.

[@loucostabile]

Hmmm, not sure. Hoping a Viewer with knowledge can share the answer to your question.

[@danielulz1640]

Optional at extra cost.

[@milfordcivic6755]

The S bar on the C pillar and the steering wheels in these generation T-birds are just horrid designs. 67-72 Thunderbirds were my least favorite

[@loucostabile]

Hi Milford Civic, Clearly this one is not for you :-( Hope you see many more cars on this KZbin Channel you'll enjoy :-) Lou