1978 Ford Thunderbird Diamond Jubilee Driving Video! 25,000 ACTUAL MILES

[@rexspangler4641]

The ultimate 70's Thunderbird! 77-79 t-birds are my favorite body style.

[@christianbugatticg]

Many people love them, including you and me!!

[@terrencastelow2753]

Bill, I think you might want to keep this one. Ultra rare vehicle. Most owners consider this model a Lincoln. Ford did this same model in 79 as a heritage edition t-bird. And that jeweled hood ornament is $600…

[@christianbugatticg]

Oh wow! I do know this one is special! @@terrencastelow2753

[@stevenwolff6866]

The best looking 77-79 Thunderbird I've ever seen

[@christianbugatticg]

I agree 100%

[@JRobert111111]

Someone on KZbin brought up the difference between the 77 and 78 tail lights and how different the 79's are. 78 would definitely be my year of choice for one of these cars, as would be a 78 Seville over the other years. I would fall out of my chair if Bill brought in an early 70's (71,72,73,74) Country Squire wagon. Those were also beautiful cars and such a joy to drive.

[@christianbugatticg]

I just might @@JRobert111111

[@deansapp4635]

I remember these cars well as i worked at a Ford dealer in 1978 as a New car check in guy. As a 18 year old at the time, I loved driving these cars

[@christianbugatticg]

These were a very popular design.

[@kaihaller7503]

Bill is doing a great job - so much fun watching his videos!

[@christianbugatticg]

Well I appreciate that!

[@Jerry-ok8gj]

Gorgeous car! I miss the cars of this era!!!😢

[@christianbugatticg]

Thanks!

[@seand2711]

That's a special T-Bird.

[@christianbugatticg]

Yes it is!

[@ezedozitt21]

What a great T-bird! Hits all the ✔️... Diamond Jubilee! Special 😀👏🏼

[@christianbugatticg]

Thanks!

[@MuniTechnology]

The color is spectacular.

[@christianbugatticg]

Thanks!

[@t.l.robinson2162]

This is my second favorite Thunderbird. It is only topped by my '79 Heritage Edition.

[@christianbugatticg]

Thanks!

[@ATLcentury334]

My folks had the ‘77 4 door Cougar Brougham. Dark Brown inside and out, it was a beautiful car. You never see those Cougars anymore. There was a wagon available as well, I actually would love one of those.

[@christianbugatticg]

I do look for those too!

[@lvsqcsl]

I had a 1977 with the 351W engine. It was a good engine and it was the first car I owned with over 200,000 miles. My cousin had a 1978 with the 351M/400 engine and it was good. He didn't demonstrate it, however, that car probably had tilt steering as wheel. I know that radio was also popular in the LTD/Marquis of the era as well. GREAT VIDEO!

[@christianbugatticg]

Hey thanks and glad you enjoyed it!

[@keniacobelli1618]

the vogue's look great!!!! actually better than great!!

[@christianbugatticg]

Yeah I was on the fence but they have grown on me!

[@thomashankins569]

I wanted that car so bad but my parents decided that I needed a four door so I ended up getting a Lincoln Versailles! Big mistake lol I wound up getting spoiled rotten 😂 It’s still a beautiful car to me after all this time but it wasn’t a Thunderbird ❤👍😁

[@christianbugatticg]

Oh man, I would actually love to come across a very low mile Versailles! They are valuable too!

[@tbirdheritage]

Hi Bill what have I been telling you about these Diamond Jubilee and Heritage (1979) T-Birds! Seeing yours do so well makes me hope my Heritage with same mileage will do half what yours did, if I can ever get it out of storage. Very similar cars except mine is Maroon with leather seats, one-owner, but missing the documents, has some patina in one area, but otherwise sharp and original paint, undercoated and missing your added touch!

[@christianbugatticg]

Nice! My friend Sergio has what has to be one of the nicest Heritage T Birds in the Country! It was his dad's car new. Love them too!

[@tbirdheritage]

@@christianbugatticg that's a big statement to make, unless the Country is Vatican City! I'm interested in seeing the car, does he have pictures online and documentation? These 1979 Heritage cars are one of my favorites and I have spent a lot of my years following them. I know my car is not in the running for that statement, so I'm always looking at them for reference.

[@christianbugatticg]

Yes that is a big statement, however I left some wiggle room as I said, "what has to be" meaning maybe not?? Lol! @Sergissandclassics Do we have some pics we can share? @@tbirdheritage

[@johnrand93]

Beautiful car!!!

[@christianbugatticg]

Thank you!

[@robertbowling8393]

I didn't see the price on thus one. I owned 2 of these T-Birds ... 1st a one owner black/ red int., then a silver/red 78 ... Then went to a Town Car, and 2 Cadillacs following. I'd LOVE to have another 77-78-79 Bird tho ...

[@christianbugatticg]

It sold twice. 28k the first time and 24k the second time

[@Dac54]

I remember seeing a 1978 Diamond Jubilee Edition T-Bird in this same color in a Ford dealership showroom back in early 1978. I recall the sticker price being $10,500. By August, when my parents were purchasing a new Ford Fairmont, the price on this same car had dropped by about $1000, for whatever reason. T-Birds of this trim level were indeed rare sightings. To this day, it ranks up there with the most beautiful new vehicles that I have ever seen. The only option missing was a power moonroof, which was a relatively rare option on T-Birds of the model years 1977-79. As fate would have it, my first vehicle four years later was a 1977 T-Bird in light gray, which was reasonably well-optioned. The vehicle had its share of mechanical issues from time to time, but I still look back fondly on it. It had the 351W engine; this engine was probably Ford's best small block V-8. I wish that Ford would have included the C6 heavy-duty transmission along with it, like it did with its vaunted 460 big block.

[@christianbugatticg]

Hey thanks for sharing that!

[@lvsqcsl]

I had a '77 and you are right it had the FMX transmission. Never had an issue with it, though.

[@cadillacguy1890]

In 1978, the 302 V-8 produced 134 horsepower, the 351 upped it to 152, the 400 added only 8 more horsepower to 160.

[@christianbugatticg]

That seems SO LOW, the because of the torque they all seem mostly adequate.

[@cadillacguy1890]

@@christianbugatticg it was extremely low for the displacement, the compression ratio on all of them was only 8:1, and they were choked with emission controls.

[@christianbugatticg]

Yeah it was the times. @@cadillacguy1890

[@keniacobelli1618]

yaaahhhayyyyy!!!!!!! seat belts!!!!! yaaaayyyhhhhyyy....good job!!

[@christianbugatticg]

See, I listen! Sometimes.

[@stevevlossak2443]

Really nice car interior mint

[@christianbugatticg]

Very well preserved!

[@christianbugatticg]

NOW LIVE AND UP FOR BID bringatrailer.com/listing/1978-ford-thunderbird-16/

[@Broncort1]

I had a ‘78 for 10 years till I got married in ‘96. Had a 351M.

[@christianbugatticg]

Nice!

[@JRobert111111]

What a classy car! That translucent hood ornament is something I've never seen and it is really neat. Bummer, but the rear view mirror is not the correct mirror that came on this car.

[@christianbugatticg]

Thanks! You know what is TERRIBLE?? When I got the car there was what I "thought" was some JC Whitney rear view mirror overlay with diamonds all in it. I removed it and I think we tossed it. I thought it was an add on. I am almost certain the mirror you see here is the correct mirror UNDER the diamond overlay. I was so pissed at myself when I found out the overlay was supposedly for the car.

[@JRobert111111]

@@christianbugatticg Very interesting. But no, the mirror in the video is not original; it is very rectangular. The OEM mirror would have been wider at the bottom than the top. I love the old 12" mirrors from GM and Ford, so I'm quite observant of those.

[@christianbugatticg]

Ahh ok. I didn't catch that. Thank you! @@JRobert111111

[@clemsonbloke]

South Carolina!

[@christianbugatticg]

Yes, right here in Myrtle Beach!

[@olezhanchyk1426]

1:55 I accidentally heard song of Doja Cat - Paint The Town Red.

[@christianbugatticg]

Yes you did! lol

[@olezhanchyk1426]

@@christianbugatticg do you like Doja Cat?

[@christianbugatticg]

I mean that one song is on my playlist. lol But so it a lot of stuff from the 70's to today@@olezhanchyk1426

[@jeffreydavis7657]

The 302s were fine but not going to win any races. 351 Windsor's were the best. My 1980 LTD station wagon had one and it would fly! If the 400 was a 351M/400, they were as dead as a door nail. My 1976 Cougar XR7 had one. If it was a true Ford 400, then it would pass almost anything on the road (my parent's 1972 Country Squire had one and it was a blast to drive).

[@christianbugatticg]

Thanks!

[@rickmauro1334]

Was the steering wheel leather wrapped originally, or is that an add on?

[@christianbugatticg]

No it is original to the Diamond Jubilee Package

[@aspman97]

Neat car. (please invest in a steady cam)

[@christianbugatticg]

You mean invest in a steady camera man?? lol

[@GoingFission-iw4zl]

Cute guy ❤

[@christianbugatticg]

Please be a young cute blonde! LOL And when I say "young", I mean 25-38..... lol

Does anyone know if the ac ( r12 ) blew ice cold in these Thunderbirds ?

[@christianbugatticg]

I think all the R12 cars blew colder

[@marshallbrooks4090]

How much did you get

[@christianbugatticg]

Sold for $28,500. Coming back to BAT next week. Poor guy just had major health issue and now ask me to resell it for him.

[@michaeltipton5500]

I had a 77 Thunderbird. Nice car but had to have a Mechanic on retainer.

[@christianbugatticg]

I mean I guess any car can be good or bad.

[@princepack474]

What will make this a great video is your asking price

[@christianbugatticg]

There is no "asking" price. I put all my classics on a site called Bring a Trailer. High bidder wins so I let the market speak. THE most fair way to everyone! No having to negotiate, no having to take trades, no having to finance. The most qualified and knowledgeable people on that site. And it is FUN!! Here check it out!! bringatrailer.com/listing/1978-ford-thunderbird-16/

[@wilyumfalcon4802]

We’re the price

[@christianbugatticg]

sold it on Bring a Trailer for 28k

[@johnkradoska1577]

the car is nice but ford coulod of done a much better job for leg room.. chevy caprice was nicer. and those seats suck you sink in and it is so hard to put on seatbelt

[@christianbugatticg]

Gotcha