1979 Ford Thunderbird Junkyard Find

#1979FordThunderbird Junkyard Find. This old 79 thunder chicken is the last of the big ones before they went to the foxbody platform. Not much to say on this one other than it seemed to be your standard run of the mill model that had been off the road since around 1994. Seemed be all there and pretty straight with some rust on the roof from the vinyl top. Interior was all there but somewhat rough. Under the hood there was a 351M that was home to rodents for almost 3 decades. This one will soon meet the crusher.

[@dowen1511]

I like the sound of ford doors they always have a solid sound to them 50s&60s&70s

[@charlesgoodman5086]

Today's tin cans don't make half the sound the older car's doors did.

[@lawrencejackson4001]

Cool find

[@jeffreylines1535]

I had a 78 T-Bird, Blue with a Silver split top in high school, rebuilt the 302 and drove it through college and then sold it. I wish I would have kept that car...the family that bought it drove it 7 years and over 100k after they bought it from me.

[@pierregaillard7049]

All right all right Benny... 😎😎😎

[@jaysmith179]

Waiting on the Google man. Have a great day Benny!

[@googleusergp]

Whoa Nelley, the pressure is on. LOL. Easy one--I decoded it. See above or below (depending on where the post lands).

[@jmac3732]

@@googleusergp Hello. I was looking for your post, but I'm unable to find it. I enjoy the information that you provide.

[@googleusergp]

@@jmac3732 Sure thing. It's there, here it is again, copied and pasted: Whoa Nelley, this bird is a turd. Just got back from a trip to NJ. Two sets of Craftsman sockets, $10, missing two sockets. But, I bought another bunch (with a tote tray) from someone else for $15 with mostly Craftsman sockets, some S-K and other USA brands, and what do you know, the two sockets missing were in that bunch. So the sets are complete and I've got plenty more to make other sets. Win-win, and we didn't need a VIN. The one guy that I got the tray and sockets from had a '72 Skylark in the driveway so we were talking about cars and what not. He had a square body Blazer and let me look at the spare glass he had to compare to mine and sure enough, I know what I've got now, indeed fits a 1973 to 1991 K5 Blazer and Jimmy. Then I sat there and decoded his car. I said, "4 for Buick, D for Skylark, 37 for two door, H for 350 V8 with two barrel, 2 for 1972 model year, Z for Fremont, CA assembly, and the rest is the production sequence". He was stunned. LOL. I didn't ask to see the tag, so I couldn't brag...... Yes, 1979 was the last of the big T-Birds and the large displacement engines. The 460 V8 went away after the 1978 model year and in 1980, the T-Bird and Cougar would downsize and become a Fox body derivative. Price Ford Lincoln Mercury is now Brian Toliver Ford at 1040 Gilmer St, Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. Two dealer emblems on the trunk, that was a definite no-no in my family. I've related the story of how my Dad said to the porter at Park Pontiac in Jersey City, NJ "Don't you dare!" in the fall of 1980 when he was going to put a dealer sticker on the back bumper of our Trans Am. He said, "The boss said every car gets one". The sales manager told him, "No sticker for this one". He repeated the same statement. The sales manager said, "Not this one. I'll talk to the boss". No sticker, we got a key chain. I still have that key chain 41 years later. I think those were called Polycast process back then. GM had a similar construction wheel on the Pontiac Firebirds for some years. Eventually they went to all aluminum with the Snowflake and Turbo Flow wheels (the former were made by Western Wheel for GM, the latter made by Appliance Wheels to John Schinella's specifications, first for the 10th Anniversary Trans Am). We got the VIN, we win: 9 for 1979 model year, G for Chicago, IL assembly, 87 for Thunderbird two door hardtop, H for 351 V8 with two barrel and the rest is the production sequence. When we get the tag, we can always brag: 60H for Thunderbird two door hard top, 3F for Light Medium Blue exterior paint, YW for half style White vinyl roof, EB for Blue vinyl interior trim, A for factory installed AC, B for 2.47:1 rear axle ratio, non-locking, X for FMX automatic transmission and 52 for Dallas, TX sales district. The Chicago Ford assembly plant is still in operation and is located at E. 130th Street and Torrence Avenue. It made the T-Bird from 1977 to 1981 and Cougar in 1981 and 1982. If you look close at the left top corner of the certification label, you'll see 09-07-78. This is actual build date of the car, in this case that was a Thursday. Yes, that was a common battery configuration some time ago. Champion batteries were either made by Exide or Johnson Controls (now Clarios). Deka/East Penn is one of the worst out there, so much so I call them "Deka Leakers". I have Champion batteries in my G6 and Sonic, and they are Clarios made. Whoa Nelley, 351 and it's done. This Bird is cooked, and rodents were all it took. Going to be flat, and that's that. Time to quit, that's it. Sold new at Price, now not so nice. Light Blue and it's over for you. Going to be squished and not many are too pissed.

[@jmac3732]

@@googleusergp Thank you. For some reason, it wasn't there earlier. I triple checked before contacting you, because I know how thorough you are. Whatever the case, thanks again!

[@googleusergp]

@@jmac3732 That's no problem at all. You Tube is weird, sometimes my posts drop out and I know that they are there. LOL. As long as you got it, we're good to go.

[@rosseganjr9402]

I have pnmonia and a torn chest muscle! but still going to check out your utube channel!

[@googleusergp]

Feel better.

[@aarongranda7825]

Sorry best of luck.

[@73buickman]

Makes me still miss my 78 diamond jubilee

[@ClassicRideSociety]

I made a video on one of those as well

[@canadiancatgreen]

Love these cars and 1st comment

[@ronaldmiller2740]

HI BENNY---I like the I960 Thunder chickens this 79 Thunder chicken I think it has had It I love the hide away lights..PEACE ..

[@maryrafuse3851]

Back in the day, 1977-79 Nova Scotia Canada was filled with T-Birds. They were a favorite car to say that you had joined the middle class. Its sad to see this car in such a sorry state. So many memories of family and those we love but see no longer. A reminder that for so many of us Cars are memory machines.

[@Missbethr]

Wild. I have always wondered why they seem to pop up with some regularity in Canadian junk yards

[@cosmiccharlie8606]

She is a big ol girl but love the fords keep them coming thank you for your time and effort in all you do

[@vijayantgovender2045]

Thank you Benny I always enjoy watching your wonderful video I am from South Africa

[@dougackerman4182]

Awesome video

[@nathankerry3256]

Man that is one long boat of car

[@klwthe3rd]

This car has the rare alloy wheel option. Those alloyed wheels are extremely hard to find.

[@Missbethr]

Even had one of the center wheel caps left.

[@solidbreed9767]

It can still be saved I hate to see cars like these be crushed

[@doug9066]

You find all kinds of gems especially cars I remember.

[@SpockvsMcCoy]

I always preferred the look of the Mercury Cougar XR-7.

[@googleusergp]

Whoa Nelley, this bird is a turd. Just got back from a trip to NJ. Two sets of Craftsman sockets, $10, missing two sockets. But, I bought another bunch (with a tote tray) from someone else for $15 with mostly Craftsman sockets, some S-K and other USA brands, and what do you know, the two sockets missing were in that bunch. So the sets are complete and I've got plenty more to make other sets. Win-win, and we didn't need a VIN. LOL. A quick cleanup with a little WD40 and a crocus cloth and they are like new and ready to go. The one guy that I got the tray and sockets from had a '72 Skylark in the driveway so we were talking about cars and what not. He had a square body Blazer and let me look at the spare glass he had to compare to mine and sure enough, I know what I've got now, indeed fits a 1973 to 1991 K5 Blazer and Jimmy. Then I sat there and decoded his car. I said, "4 for Buick, D for Skylark, 37 for two door, H for 350 V8 with two barrel, 2 for 1972 model year, Z for Fremont, CA assembly, and the rest is the production sequence". He was stunned. LOL. I didn't ask to see the tag, so I couldn't brag...... Yes, 1979 was the last of the big T-Birds and the large displacement engines. The 460 V8 went away after the 1978 model year and in 1980, the T-Bird and Cougar would downsize and become a Fox body derivative. Price Ford Lincoln Mercury is now Brian Toliver Ford at 1040 Gilmer St, Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. Two dealer emblems on the trunk, that was a definite no-no in my family. I've related the story of how my Dad said to the porter at Park Pontiac in Jersey City, NJ "Don't you dare!" in the fall of 1980 when he was going to put a dealer sticker on the back bumper of our Trans Am. He said, "The boss said every car gets one". The sales manager told him, "No sticker for this one". He repeated the same statement. The sales manager said, "Not this one. I'll talk to the boss". No sticker, we got a key chain. I still have that key chain 41 years later. I think those were called Polycast process back then. GM had a similar construction wheel on the Pontiac Firebirds for some years. Eventually they went to all aluminum with the Snowflake and Turbo Flow wheels (the former were made by Western Wheel for GM, the latter made by Appliance Wheels to John Schinella's specifications, first for the 10th Anniversary Trans Am). We got the VIN, we win: 9 for 1979 model year, G for Chicago, IL assembly, 87 for Thunderbird two door hardtop, H for 351 V8 with two barrel and the rest is the production sequence. When we get the tag, we can always brag: 60H for Thunderbird two door hard top, 3F for Light Medium Blue exterior paint, YW for half style White vinyl roof, EB for Blue vinyl interior trim, A for factory installed AC, B for 2.47:1 rear axle ratio, non-locking, X for FMX automatic transmission and 52 for Dallas, TX sales district. The Chicago Ford assembly plant is still in operation and is located at E. 130th Street and Torrence Avenue. It made the T-Bird from 1977 to 1981 and Cougar in 1981 and 1982. If you look close at the left top corner of the certification label, you'll see 09-07-78. This is actual build date of the car, in this case that was a Thursday. Yes, that was a common battery configuration some time ago. Champion batteries were either made by Exide or Johnson Controls (now Clarios). Deka/East Penn is one of the worst out there, so much so I call them "Deka Leakers". I have Champion batteries in my G6 and Sonic, and they are Clarios made. Whoa Nelley, 351 and it's done. This Bird is cooked, and rodents were all it took. Going to be flat, and that's that. Time to quit, that's it. Sold new at Price, now not so nice. Light Blue and it's over for you. Going to be squished and not many are too pissed.

[@Onteo1]

Pretty car with leather interior and the 8 Track. That stereo is worth some cash to people needing them. They fit in many years and variety of cars. I have one in my 73 mustang.

[@googleusergp]

I believe this had a vinyl interior as code "EB" comes back as a blue vinyl interior for that year.

[@Onteo1]

@@googleusergp thanks. Looked nice though

[@googleusergp]

@@Onteo1 This car has a deluxe (optional) vinyl interior, so it was probably made to look close to leather (which was also available on a Thunderbird in 1979).

[@aarongranda7825]

Steering wheel.went on millions of full and midsize Fords as well as pickups i believe.

[@NotaMechanicJack]

Funky

[@chevylandt.v]

What a boat. The boats are getting harder to find if you like them. Would have been a good lowrider or for the derby

[@doug9066]

Yeah me too, I like them better with stickers on the plates which Texas needs to go back to this. Iowa as Minnesota puts stickers on the plates too, when I lived in Florida I'm glad stickers were on the plates & not the window.

[@googleusergp]

NYS doesn't have stickers on plates unless they are dealer plates, trailers or motorcycles (among other classes). At one time, we did, up until 1972-1973. When we went to the yellow and blue plates in 1973, the stickers moved to the windshield and have been there ever since. I have the original 1973 issued plates that were on my '80 Trans Am when my parents bought it new (they were transferred to it in 1980), and the current windshield registration sticker has that original plate number on it and says "VHIS" which stands for "Vintage Historic". I was able to transfer them from my mother's name after she passed with a letter from the court that settled her estate. It was a breeze since my uncle (her brother) was the executor. Unfortunately, both of my parents are passed away, but the plates and car live on with me.

[@Str8sixfan]

I'd totally rock that! bagged of course

[@michaelcoffey7362]

Cool 😀

[@tonyfriend7413]

09.1978 the year for Robin egg blue thunder chicken. Start of my 11th. Grade year of high school.

[@googleusergp]

I was in grammar school when this one was belting out Donna Summer and Rod Stewart circa 1979.

[@D4x4Bronc]

Was nice blue before the sun ate it

[@pontiacgrandprix733]

My buddy had a brand new 79, Burgandy w white top, Spokes, 1.5 inch whitewalls, Disco Days NYC

[@googleusergp]

Last of the "big ones", the biggest engine you could get was a 400 with a two barrel.

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

Cool !!!!!!!!!!

[@aarongranda7825]

Near twin of ltd2 and cougar. Replaced by fox body cube 1980-82.

[@jasongilbert2267]

A thunder chicken!!!

[@cmcmcc553]

We had one with A big block it was A 7 mpg hog

[@nathankim7664]

Quick Benny! Before the yard sends it to China to be recycled into a new Honda, GET THE 8 TRACK and the Dealer Emblems! I would LOVE to have the 8 track Benny, Ford made better 8 tracks than GM did! I'd get the wheels if I were you, they'd look good on a Fox Body or a wagon!

[@chrisrhoads8256]

Sir ilove ❤ these classes cars 🚗 they history/ they are etter then junk cars of today

[@chrisrhoads8256]

Better then cars of today lol

[@OrangeBoss-ww8eb]

am fm 8 ttrack can fetch some good money man

[@googleusergp]

The RPO code "UM4" "Signal Seek Red Light" stereo 8 track for my 10th Anniversary Trans Am is a half year radio only used on the 10th cars. They go for $1000 now if you can find them. I paid $85 for mine with the bezel shipped to me in 2002 and it was "broken" according to the original owner. I put a new 8 track belt in it from Inland Electronics in Modesto, CA and walah, it worked. I put it in the car and it's still in there today. About three years ago, I found an original glovebox brochure that I had been searching for years for and what do you know the guy has it up for a couple of bucks shipped, NOS, never opened. I had blown up some copies of the pamphlet I found online, but nothing like the original which now resides in the glovebox along with all the other literature for it, some of it found in junked cars over the years.

[@albertchavez5590]

Are you selling the parts to that 79 Thunderbird I was looking for the girl and the door The trim for around the car

[@tyronebateslibra9435]

That's heart breaking I'd rather sell it than junk it, if it's not rusted out. Looks like it was in flood.

[@aarongranda7825]

Gonna be flat, that's that. Sorely missed and yes we are pissed!

[@googleusergp]

New in '78, now not so great.

[@robertmorris4675]

Beeezeels....beeezeels....beeeezeels

[@marcotrejo9471]

Where’s this at?

[@ClassicRideSociety]

It was at patinos Auto Salvage in Mesquite TX. But it been crushed

[@marcotrejo9471]

@@ClassicRideSociety awww thanks man, I’ve been trying to find parts for my 77 TBird, just got yourself a sub btw!

[@jasonhsu4711]

Is it just me, or does it look like there's not that much rear seat legroom? Shouldn't this massive land yacht have acres of rear seat legroom? Isn't that one of the major selling points of a large car?

[@ClassicRideSociety]

Yea the 2 doors lacked it but then again I'm 6'4".

[@tommywatterson5276]

I don't understand why junkyards keep cars this old. Crush and recycle

[@SuperRobbie1976]

turd-bird lol