Bigger Bird

This Fourth-Gen Ford Thunderbird brought rear coil springs, hideaway headlights and even more bloated luxury than ever to the fabulous Thunderbird. And what’s up with the bizarre sliding rear windows? Watch and see!

[@Funsho97]

I had a friend growing up whose Mother had a 1970 four door Thunderbird. It was dark green with an alligator skin pattern style vinyl top and had those Landau bars. I remember how there was a panel on the back doors that was kind of part if the top and when you sat in the back seat it felt like you were sitting in a limo, no one could see you from the side. I always thought the suicide rear doors were kind of cool. I remember it was a pretty quick car with that 429. Cool stuff!!!

[@debbiebermudez5890]

Mr. B. Here ! Morning Mags ! ☕️☕️🍩 have a good day !

[@tomwesley7884]

Morning

[@debbiebermudez5890]

@@tomwesley7884 👀☕️☕️🍩👍👍

[@2coolwheels139]

LOL..."electric razor coming down the road". Perfect!

[@ACF6180T]

LOL! Electric razor coming down the road; Great description. My dad had a 68 4 door he bought used; I remember the rear suicide doors; Also I remember Hot Wheels had the 2 door model which looked awesome at the time. Thanks for the video Steve.

[@corvairjim1]

Not at all a Ford guy but I had the 1967 Hot Wheels Redline "Custom T-Bird" too. Mine was a medium aqua with a flat black simulated vinyl top. Ford or not, it was one of my favorites.

[@ACF6180T]

@@corvairjim1 I have 3 Corvair's myself. I'm not a Ford guy either, But I did like the styling of these big birds.

[@2264ish]

There was so many great choices of cars to choose from in this era, it would be so hard to pick one.

[@tomwesley7884]

Brand loyalty

[@DarthVader1977]

were*

[@terrencegiordan2775]

Not me I I bought 69 396 chevelle still have it. And have a 70 454 also.

[@ScottDLR]

So true and if I were choosing a car for highway use I'd certainly take a T-bird over the Mustang.

[@DanEBoyd]

The first Eldorado and early Lincoln Marks also had the quarter glass which retracted straight back into the C pillar.

[@garyspaun5237]

These videos bring back a lot of memories.

[@Cheezwizzz]

The rear windows on the 67 Eldorado also opened into the B-pillars if I’m not mistaken

[@MuniTechnology]

You are not mistaken.

[@cbrrider98]

Had 69 T-bird with suicide doors in high school back in the eighties. Really like that car as it was different. Rebuilt the engine in auto shop class with a bigger cam and carb. That engine had some torque and fun to roast the tires.

[@tommyv8777]

The last cool one in my opinion. Thanks for the daily videos Steve!

[@tombentson9693]

Nice, I have a 1968 fordor tbitd, 60,000 original miles. Fully loaded with hydrulic windshield wipers

[@darrellsaunders4267]

My Dad bought a 69 4 door in 1972.....429....had suicide doors white with blue interior....nice ride.

[@jeffreycarleton1535]

Me Likey big thunderbird! Me like both two door and four door! Like riding on a cloud ,very comfortable car!❤

[@barberjeff67]

I had a 68. It was like driving your living room! 😂

[@jeffreycarleton1535]

@@barberjeff67 yeah, only with more comfortable seating than the living room,at least my living room anyway!

[@barberjeff67]

@@jeffreycarleton1535 lol!

[@kenttalsma7906]

That wrap around back seat back always impressed me.

[@daveditcher4059]

I grew up in a Ford household. My Dad lusted for a T Bird in the late 60’s, but in 69 couldn’t stomach the price so he bought a Mercury X100 instead for about $800 less than the bird. Same 360 hp 429 plus a traction lock rear. H70 bias plies up in smoke. 😁

[@ajarriaga5812]

So glad to learn you’re back upright again. Hope you have continued good health.

[@hackfabrication139]

If I only lived closer, I'd be snagging that 429 (if it was still there). 8:58 Katy does an Alfred Hitchcock cameo.

[@Daniel-fd3wp]

Psycho,Rear Window, The Birds by the way I’ve visited that School house twice.

[@ricksaint2000]

Thank you Steve

[@GreyRockOne]

I always liked these bigger birds, a little quirky but lovable. I believe the headlight doors were vacuum like the LTD's were, at least the 1970 LTD I owned years ago had a vacuum actuator. Thanks Steve!

[@timothyhh]

This is my favorite gen Thunderbird.

[@sammolloy1]

Yes it was a stunning design

[@Nova.1971]

The 1967 Cadillac Eldorado had rear windows that went back into the sail panels also....Well done Steve.

[@googleusergp]

Yup, with the (driver's door) VIN, we win: 9 for 1969 model year, Y for Wixom, MI assembly, 84 for Thunderbird two door Landau blind quarter, N for 429 V8 with four barrel and the rest is the production sequence. The Wixom, MI plant operated from 1957 to 2007 and produced over 6 million vehicles during the time it operated. We got the (driver's door) tag, we can brag: 65B for Thunderbird two door Landau with blind quarter and bucket seats, Z for Dark Gray Metallic exterior paint (a Thunderbird color), 2AA for Black interior trim (2A) and likely the third "A" is for the black vinyl top, (although the interior trim looks more blue than black), 05C for Wednesday March 5, 1969 production, 11 for Boston, MA sales district, 4 for 2.80:1 rear axle ratio, non-locking, and U for C-6 automatic transmission. As noted many times, no, no, no, no, and no, again on the "letter is better" for the differential codes with regard to Ford products and 1969 is a perfect example that. In 1969, letter codes "A" through "E" are in fact NOT locking differentials, they are non-locking. Always, always, always, always, always go year by year, vehicle by vehicle as codes switch and swap during various years. There are plenty of good reference materials out there that you can refer to when pulling parts. Also, since the tag is on the door of many Fords of this era, parts could have been swapped from other vehicles and you have to be careful and check it for yourself to be sure you're getting what you think you are. Remember, some of these cars have been in the "wild" for decades and "if it fits, send it" was often the mentality when these cars got to the end of their roadworthy lives. There's a chance that driver's door came from another vehicle as some things don't add up. Other tags such as the under hood buck tag would be needed to verify what's what. It's more like code "Q" Brittany Blue exterior paint, based on what's in the trunk, assuming that's original to the vehicle. The address for that Ford dealership stamped on the brochure cover no longer exists and it appears it's a big shopping mall/strip mall now from what I can tell. So, addditionally without the buck (tag) we're out of luck.........

[@tomwesley7884]

Good commentary, Mr. Google

[@googleusergp]

@@tomwesley7884 Sure thing, nice of you to say.

[@michaelatkins9780]

When I read googleuser, suddenly an EMP attack seems to have some positive results.

[@googleusergp]

@@michaelatkins9780 ?

[@kenttalsma7906]

​@@michaelatkins9780I had to look that up. Electro Magnetic Pulse attack?

[@mgmcd1]

Nice shout out to Martin Landau. He was great in Mission Impossible, too.

[@aspman97]

Space: 1999

[@The_R-n-I_Guy]

We're all pulling for you Steve. Hope to see you soon

[@noonehere1793]

I learned to drive in a 64 coupe. I loved that big old car. Had to sell it in the 70’s for a house down payment and still miss it. Hope you are doing well.

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

Another great vid Steve!

[@TheRealSmithFamily]

Wonderful video as always! Thank you!

[@talfacprez]

My dad would NEVER buy a car that had the fake bar like Steve pointed out on the T-Bird. My dad said, "those are only suppose to be on a hearse, and I ain't dead yet".

[@mikemanning3025]

Hey Steve MAGMAN, great job, as always with your work!! The first auto with rear window into B pillar, was 1967 Cadillac Eldorado! That's what I found out, anyway. PEACE MAN!!!

[@bobadams1696]

Thanks Steve!

[@bradkrekelberg8624]

Great looking cars without the vinyl roof!

[@SwedishMeatball53]

FYI - the 1967 series Eldorado has similar rear passenger windows that rolled into the sail panel!

[@kenttalsma7906]

As did 70s Lincoln Mark #

[@SwedishMeatball53]

The Lincoln Mark III was based on the Thunderbird, Lincoln added a Rolls type grill.

[@vettekid3326]

Back in the day we used to call them old man sports cars because the people that bought them were 35 -55 in age and when your 13 that seemed pretty old.

[@danielleclare2938]

My dad's 68 was a 2 door Maroon and Black on the black interior. It had the 429. I was a kid and loved the power window in back as well as the wrap around seating. That car replaced the 64 Park Lane that had the rear power window only... that was cool too.

[@savedin87ify]

Hi Steve hope all is well with you. I do enjoy all your clips. Even is it's a repeat. Big fan of the baby bird. Had a friend who had a 4 door t bird. If I remember correctly it was suicide doors.

[@johnkranyics281]

Good morning gang 👍👍🇨🇦

[@shaggydogg630]

Morning!

[@01FozzyS]

Space 1999,Steve. Now UFO, that was another great show!

[@wtw84]

It also had sequential tail lights!

[@BZizzle]

Get well soon Steve!

[@davediamond9436]

in 1972 while going through a tool and die apprenticeship , took a tour of the Cleveland plants 1 and 2 that were producing the thunderbird engines ... i guess they would had been the 400 and 429

[@tonywestvirginia]

I had a 1970 4dr. (Used) Never knew it had tilt wheel until I sold it.

[@jeffclark2725]

Great video thumbs up, those were big cars in the day

[@donkeyboy585]

I love this era birds

[@Alan-lv9rw]

The Mercury Cougar was slotted between the Mustang and T-Bird. I think the Cougar looked the best of the three.

[@ValdezJu]

I believe the '67 Cadillac Eldorado's rear windows were the first to retract like that.. also Lincoln Mark III in '69.

[@ValdezJu]

maybe Ford had it before Cadillac?

[@tinydog34]

​@@ValdezJuthe 56/60 Lincoln if remember right had them.

[@garymckee8857]

I have a friend who had a 69 with the suicide doors . The vehicle had low mileage, but had rust. Would have been a great engine to build for different body style Ford product.

[@gillgetter3004]

Friend and his father put a 429 from a T bird and put in a 70 Mach one mustang. Father was a Ford employee and they did a few things with that were not stock but it was pretty quick and very smooth .

[@marioncobaretti2280]

Z tread snow tires were the noiseist but the best traction

[@michaelnazaruk4100]

I was thinking the same thing! I can still hear the singing of the Goodyear Suburbanites or the Firestone Town and Country snow tires on my parent's Chevy station wagon!

[@marioncobaretti2280]

My favorites were Kelly Springfield 60 series extra wide z treads with studs. Popular in the late 60,s

[@57WillysCJ]

I liked the Thunderbird up through 3rd gen. When they went to four door my enthusiasm dwindled. Might as well get a Galaxy.

[@vidvoyeur651]

Martin Landau appeared in Space 1999 not UFO, it was meant to be a sequel series. Curiously, UFO was a Gerry Anderson production the same guy who brought us… Thunderbirds! Glad to know you’re a fellow ‘70s pop-culture geek .

[@kengoodwin5906]

I loved the show Space 1999!! Martin Landau and Barbra Bain, who were mariied (1957 - 1993). They worked together on Mission Impossible too.

[@vidvoyeur651]

@@kengoodwin5906 and it was so much better than the Tom Cruise stuff

[@67marlins]

I think one of the first generation fwd Cadillac Eldorado retracted the rear windows horizontally also.

[@stevemehanmusic]

Yes indeed

[@kenb51960]

thanks steve for teaching us things we never knew

[@oneFreetinker]

The 67 Cadillac Eldorado also had slide back rear windows I think.

[@JJBJR64]

Steve, I had a 70 T-Bird. Speaking of the deep trunk, my car was the “go to” car when we went to the Drive In. I got 5 people in there one night. 😂😂

[@charlesdalton985]

Thanks as always. These repeats have been fun as I quiz myself on what I retained. Hope you’re doing well sir. ~ Chuck

[@mikeadie7031]

This is what Steve has been doing kzbin.info/www/bejne/fX2YYoaOa6x2htk

[@MauiWauiPineappleExpress]

He is fine, on vacation!

[@winsox28]

@@MauiWauiPineappleExpress Posting again on High octane classics and Instagram. Not dead!

[@charlesdalton985]

@@MauiWauiPineappleExpress Well earned and well deserved! Thanks for letting me know.

[@peterantonopoulos2572]

Morning Steve.....

[@edwinhesse11]

The 67 Eldorado had rear windows that opened that way. Power was an option!

[@jverrelli1]

Hey Steve, the Eldorado and Lincoln marks rear windows also went back instead of down

[@cavecookie1]

Always thought the front end of these Birds was cool. Slight Toronado overtones, but still distinctly T-Bird.

[@jessebrueshaber6915]

I saw that scene stealing pooch in the woods behind you!

[@GoldenGun-Florida]

I've seen this video two months ago. Thank you for the reminder.

[@aspman97]

Steve's on vacation?

[@bruceprentice6441]

Rear window can be fixed, go back, go down or be hinged and pop out ? Wasn’t that an option on some small imports ?

[@kellytolliver2390]

Yeah VWs

[@garyszewc3339]

When the Road Runner debuted in 1968, pop outs were the only available quarter windows. Mid year they added the roll down option. Ford Mavericks had them too. They weren't just foreign cars.

[@rossgirdeen3247]

What's a better platform to make power fe 428 or the 429 engine

[@Bbbuddy]

Ford used fake laundau irons on their Model A Sport Coupes starting in 1928 or 29. At least those had actual cloth and wood (non-folding, just lighter weight) tops.

[@daveridgeway2639]

Hi Steve, good car, good video! The third generation Thunderbird shared the the same chassis as the Lincoln Mark III. The Mark III also used the horizontal opening rear quarter glass as did the Thunderbird, as did the first generation FWD Cadillac Eldorado, they doubled as opening rear vent windows. Horizontal opening rear quarter glass windows where not used later on, in favor of opera windows, "no room to move back", and opera windows where cheaper. What would you rather have? Please reply. Dave...

[@sammolloy1]

The later T-Bird / Mark IV rear windows moved back 2” on the Mark but were fixed in place on the Bird.

[@daveridgeway2639]

@@sammolloy1 Thank you! Dave...

[@MikeBrown-ii3pt]

Is the "letter is better" thing still true for Ford rear axles? I'm looking for an 8.8" to replace the 7.5" that's currently under my 94 Ranger V-8 swap project.

[@flyjarrett]

Never knew that a four door was offered. My dad had a 69 two door. I remember him saying how heavy the car was…a tank.

[@67L-88]

Geez three weeks of reruns... Is Steve on hiatus for the summer or ill? Maybe he's on a road trip scouting new locations to shoot? Steve if you are alive knock three times!!!

[@HFX1955]

Maybe he's working on the 62 Plymouth.

[@aspman97]

Think he sold that car?

[@corvairjim1]

Like the LTD? I thought it was based on the Lincoln Continental. The suicide back doors bear this out, as does Continental offering a 2-door coupe version for the first time since the incredible 1956-7 Mark II, coinciding with the introduction of the 4th-gen -Bird. I could be wrong on this being primarily a GM guy, but I'm pretty sure that I've read somewhere that it was Continental-based, not full-size FoMoCo. Something that I find interesting about the 4-door sedan version is the way a good chunk of the sail panel opens with the back door to make it possible for anyone larger than a 6 year old to actually enter the back seat! The cutline was partially obscuerd by the standard simulated landau irons. Tricky!

[@eth39232]

Continental had unitized body and frame 1958 through 1969, while Thunderbird went to separate body and frame in 1967, so 1967 Thunderbird probably was based on the 1965 Galaxie platform.

[@kblinn68]

martin landau & barbara bain were in the space 1999 tv show.

[@Fore-Four-Dee-Too]

et well soon Steve !!!

[@jeffrobodine8579]

I love this model but the vacuum system is an absolute nightmare which is why you do not see many of these anymore.

[@boblogan3665]

Steve is my fashion influencer

[@cookieman0916]

😊

[@2011joser]

That is a ‘68. The healight doors are vacuum operated.

[@davelee3660]

Steve. How about featuring a Bronco II ? They have a rather interesting story

[@chilee6994]

Your information is very good.. rebadging Mustang?? Really?? Cheers from Vietnam

[@rescuedandrestoredgarage]

I want one.

[@michaelnazaruk4100]

As a young boy in the 60's, I remember the media going whacko over the Thunderbird going 4 door. The 4 door T-birds didn't last very long though. I guess people thought why should they pay all that money for one of them, when I can get a bigger, fully loaded 4 door Ford LTD or Mercury Marquis for the same price? And shame on the Ford designers for copycatting Oldsmobile! Couldn't those designers use their brains to figure their own designs? The sculpted front of those T-birds looks a lot like the '62 Oldsmobiles.

[@kenttalsma7906]

You're right about the Olds reference.

[@GeorgesMiniatureCars]

Hey Steve! Love these Thunderbird coupes! According to my Google search, this is the 5th gen from '67 - '71 or has something changed? I even love the "beak" on the '70 - '71! Wish I had a car brochure collection like yours, started collecting some in earlier days when I'd ride my bicycle to all the dealerships to see the new models!✌🇨🇦

[@brntcran]

The 67 Eldorado rear windows retracted into the b piller

[@rustyshackleford6811]

Yard down here has 70 suicide door thunderjet.

[@paulwells4203]

"Honker Pedal" lol

[@philipjones3793]

Morning Folks.

[@Vet-7174]

Good morning gents ! 🇺🇲

[@paulmandeville]

Headlight covers open with torque spring, close with vacuum. Default open for safety.

[@HFX1955]

That was implemented for 1968. Not on the 67s. Ford Lincoln and Mercury cars of that era with hidden headlights after several days of no use would have the headlight doors creep open as vacuum was lost.

[@paulmandeville]

@@HFX1955 The torque was pretty strong…I had laid my tool carrier upon the headlight cover, and when the vacuum faded the tool tray was jammed in there, and partialy crushed😹

[@albertgaspar627]

I always said the Thunderbird could have been Ford's family car to replace the Galaxy and save money...and then they hid a four door setup in the vinyl top :) Is that turbine rimmed Buick Regal in the background a t type? i thought i saw a hood bump at the end of the video.

[@DanEBoyd]

It's a turbo. Steve already did a feature on it.

[@albertgaspar627]

@@DanEBoyd thanks, i thought it was that one, but the angle threw me off. someone should save that hot air car, but i bet the rocker panel scares 'em off or they just want the big dollar GN.

[@johnevans9751]

1967 Eldorado had that rear passenger side window disappear into the C-pillar.

[@garymckee8857]

Thanks was not aware of that feature.

[@danielscott6787]

I thought the 429 was avaliable in 1968?

[@googleusergp]

Yes, same VIN code "N" engine for a 1968 429 V8.

[@jonathanmorrisey5771]

The Continental Mark III was released April '68 as a '69 model. It carried the 385 series 460 4v. The 429 was a late year introduction.

[@michaelstrafello7346]

Studded snow tires = sparks when you do burn outs until the studs fall out

[@barberjeff67]

The center grill is from a 68.

[@HFX1955]

The headlight covers are from a 69. Based on the quarter panel marker reflectors and taillights this is a 68.

[@stephenholland5930]

​​@@HFX1955The 9 at the start of the VIN at 4:30 shows it as a 1969 model.

[@HFX1955]

@@stephenholland5930 Someone else gave a detailed explanation of the door codes which would suggest that it was a replacement door.

[@stephenholland5930]

@@HFX1955 OK thanks. I guess was a possibility. Would it have been legal to have 2 different VINs on a vehicle?

[@williamjoyal3553]

Martin, Landau and Barbara Bain wete on a show called space 1999

[@wethepeople4392]

Adding a short commercial snippet about the car would be cool to see

[@frankjones4094]

I never knew that rear panel was referred to as the Dutchman panel.

[@kenttalsma7906]

You mean the sail panel aka the C pillar? I had to look that one up, too. This is from Motor Trend (we all know the story)"One area that often gets rotted out due to poor storage is the rear filler tray or Dutchman panel, which fits in between the rear window support and the upper rim lip of the trunk opening."

[@frankjones4094]

@@kenttalsma7906 Sail panel, yes. Dutchman no. I'm 69 and I've worked as a bodyman and mechanic on cars since I was 14.

[@hugh-johnfleming289]

I want a four door...

[@cmdrflake]

These cars were rust buckets in places that had winter weather. Lots of aftermarket rust proofing delayed the inevitable, but Ford was skimping on paint and rust proofing.

[@jmartin9431]

Remember laying down a spark filled burnout with the studded snow tires. Also the stud burnouts would leave a longer impression in the pavement than rubber. 😂

[@o.c.smithiii2626]

3 bodies will fit in that trunk easily.

[@tomwesley7884]

Thanks

[@ryanecho1]

Where do you find cars like this at?

[@randyhemker792]

👍👍😎

[@alexhathcock1380]

Today's closed caption..."Steven Yonder"

[@tarkus522]

Martin Landau and Barbara Bain were in Space 1999 not UFO. Both were done by Jerry Anderson's company

[@hackfabrication139]

I'd forgotten about Space 1999, but do remember them in Mission Impossible.

[@ScarlettFire341]

@@hackfabrication139 they were married during Mission Impossible / later divorced