The 7th Generation Thunderbird, The History, Features, & Options

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

If you are a Thunderbird fan. Check out the Thunderbird Playlist. We have video for every year Thunderbird ever produced. Click the link for the playlist here ---- > kzbin.info/aero/PLz2M3b_orpr2eZoFKtONmqB3B3k1UAAkq

[@Thunder_6278]

As an owner of a '78 & '79 t-bird, these to me were just the right size, not too small, not too big. Biggest sales of all generations.

[@CAROLDDISCOVER-2025]

I own a couple of them and they both have that little 302 in them. Eventually Ford figured out how to build a 5 L engine that would actually run with some power. This generation needed a 351.

[@PRR1954]

"...needed a 351" I had the 1979. Loved that car! But even with the 351W (yes, W! not C or M) it was a slowpoke. The top end was strangled by smog-cam and the low end was like winding-up a rubber band (not Ford's best gearbox). Ev-en-tu-al-ly it would exceed the speed limit and cruise the interstate with confidence. But gas got over $2/gal (gasp!) and the A/C failed so I dumped it for an import.

[@Irishfan]

Price was more affordable than past generations, so it appealed to people t be able to get a car with Thunderbird badging. It was really just a Torino with the badges.

[@CAROLDDISCOVER-2025]

@Irishfan never seen a Torino that look like this. Looks more like a LTD to me. I've got a couple of these sitting in the barn been back there for many years

[@PRR1954]

@@CAROLDDISCOVER-2025 I was all over/under my Dad's 1966 Galaxie, and my '79 T-bird, and multiple Falcon-Fairlane-Torinos. 77-79 T-Bird WAS a short-frame 1965-1968 Galaxie with a decade of very minor changes (better rear arms). Torino started as (very)stretch Falcon but aspired to Galaxie/LTD heights.

[@teebird94]

As a teen in the 70's this was the malaise car we all wanted..the Monte Carlo looked funny but theThunderbird was soooooo cool and the sales reflected that.

[@maryrafuse2297]

My parents had a 72 Chevelle that was built after the strike and had a multitude of problems beginning with pealing paint. This car was back to the dealership once a month, every month. By February of 1977 my very patient parents had enough. Ford was advertising T-Bird days at Keltic Motors, their local dealership. Mum and dad arrived back from their week in NASSAU and we all went to the Ford dealer the next day. They bought a dove grey Thunderbird and the rest is history. All the car needed was gas and oil changes and it served our family for years. It made a beautiful impression after the Chevelle. Sadly we never see these cars at shows today. They were the best car in the more friendly 1970's. 🙂

[@RobertJuckes]

I bought a new 1979 heritage edition white with white leather wish I still had it

[@toomuch884]

My black with red interior '79 Town Landau has been in our family since '83. With less then 30K miles, it is one of 100 convertibles produced by the Ford/American Custom Coachworks partnership. Built in Ford's Los Angeles plant, it was then trucked to ACC's facility in Hollywood, where it was turned from a $8,800 MSRP 'Bird into a $25,000 convertible Bird. No wonder only 100 were produced this last year of the 7th Generation. I have been the incredibly proud owner of it for close to 2 years now. From 6 year kids to people who used to sell new 7th Generation TBirds (and other Ford products) the stop-and-stare/turnaround looks are non-stop. Miles per gallon? Not great. Smiles per gallon? Priceless!

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

Thank you for sharing your story! That's a very awesome car you have and I'm glad to hear that you are driving it so that other can appreciate it.

[@dj33036]

I would love to see photos. You should post a KZbin video.

[@Mr6384]

I am currently restoring a 1978 Diamond Jubilee. And you nailed it - Lido was a broughamtastic person and loved option margins! I see him all over the Diamond Jubilee. Who cares that the 400 only puts out well under 200 horsepower and returns 13mpg! Once you're behind that wheel, driving the living room with sparsely enough room for two up front, after you've counted that there are 20 identifying emblems, so you're sure it's your car, just take flight…. To the next gasoline station. Awesome video

[@michaelsamra3171]

A Diamond Jubilee Thunderbird?

[@Mr6384]

@@michaelsamra3171 yes.

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

Thank you for sharing your story and for watching the video!

[@michaelsamra3171]

@@TonysFordsandMustangs I just subscribed to your channel. I teach drivability and automotive electronics and emissions but I'm a huge Ford aficionado.

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

@@michaelsamra3171 thank you for subscribing! It is appreciated

[@jasonkoc3997]

I remember seeing these cars in the Chicago Assembly plant when they had tours for the public. My grandfather worked there . The T birds and Cougars were Everywhere and they seemed like they were never gonna go away. Now anyone would be hard pressed to see one on the road much less a car show. Great for there time .

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

I cover the Cougars next weekend. Thanks for watching!

[@jeremytd7072]

My grandparents had a black ‘77 with a red pinstripe and the red velour seats. Chef’s kiss to cars I remember from my childhood.

[@Dac54]

My first car was a 1977 Ford Thunderbird, which was purchased used with 56,000 miles in March of 1982. It was dove gray with vinyl seats. It had the 351W engine, power steering, power brakes, A/C, power windows, locks, driver's seat, trunk release, and automatic parking brake release. It definitely wasn't the best reliable vehicle I've ever owned, but it was the first, and it was beautiful. Lots of memories; to this day, I still occasionally have a dream with this vehicle in it. The only trim difference from 1977 to 1978 was the addition of bird emblems on the hidden headlamp covers; otherwise, it was the same vehicle. 1979 had the different grille and split taillight setup with the reverse lights in the middle of the taillights. The 400cid engine was not available for 1979.

[@donaldromp2746]

I bought a new 1979 T-Bird. It was the Sports package in Midnight Blue with the Chamoi roof, deck straps and bucket seats and console and sport dash. Loved that car. It is still around.

[@darylthomas4676]

My older brother back in 85 bought a used 78 with about 35.000 miles on it. Still looked brand new at the time Tony and ran like a dream with the 302. It was dark blue with the tan trim and matching wheels. I loved riding in it and getting to drive it. And everytime you show a picture of an 88 Turbo Coupe, i kick myself in the butt for getting rid of mine.😩! Have a good weekend and a better week brother.💪❤

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

@@darylthomas4676 Thank you for insight Daryl and for watching!

[@xltoffroadbear]

I bought my 78 T-Bird in 1990, as a winter beater. It had just the 302, but we eventually raced it in Trophy Stock at Raceway Park Englishtown NJ. First run was 22 seconds, then we cleaned out the trunk and ran 18 seconds! Eventually we took out the A/C put some chrome and an open air cleaner and got hat down to 17 seconds, still just stock. I bought an Edelbrock/Holley intake/carb for the next season of racing, but sold the car first. I loved this car! It wasn't fast, but it was comfortable, reliable and in it's own way it was cool. I love all T-Birds, but this is my favorite generation. Great video!

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

@@xltoffroadbear thank you for sharing your story and for watching!

[@floridaroadways]

My favorite was the 76th Thunderbird. It had a lot of features more features than the 78 Teebird.

[@ponycarfan]

I learned how to drive in a 1977 Thunderbird. Most people immediately notice how long the hood is, but for a student driver, the rear quarter blind spots were enormous and I failed my first drivers test because I ran over 3 of 4 flags set up for parallel parking. It was a good looking car for its time and performance wasn't that bad.... as long as you gave it plenty of time to accelerate and made corners as slowly as possible. The power steering was way over-boosted, making it almost impossible to judge cornering by feel. But, that matched the tires and suspension perfectly, because if abrupt changes in direction were attempted, the car didn't do much except plow straight ahead while the tires howled in protest. With an open rear differential, to say the car was a challenge in the snow is an understatement. People have always act surprised when I tell them how many Mustangs I've driven in the winter, but they don't realize that I had one of the greatest and least forgiving instructors of all time - that '77 T-bird.

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

Thank you for sharing your story. It is appreciated and I have to say I agree with everything you stated.

[@williampalmer8052]

When I was eleven, my neighbor's mom brought home a brand new 1977 Bright Saddle Thunderbird with a beige top and turbine wheels. To me, it looked sharper than the Cordobas and Monte Carlos of the time, and started off my affinity for the luxury coupe Thunderbirds that lasted through the end of the 90s. Well, not counting 80-82, anyway...

[@toddhowe427]

My parents were given a navy blue / white interior '79 with a sludged up and blue smoking 302 by my grandmother's neighbor in 1989. We had the engine rebuilt and it served as our second car to my Mom's '88 Grand Marquis. I have fond memories of learning to drive in this car and sharing it with my Dad when I got my license. It was slow and floaty and large but these cars will always remind me of my first tastes of freedom on the open road. It wasn't a super well optioned car but it had power windows and locks, A/C, and turbine wheels. Somebody backed into me as I was driving through a supermarket parking lot and put a small dent in the driver's rear quarter- which was enough to total it in 1993, and Dad and I leveled up to an '86 Ranger SuperCab 4x2 2.9L V6 5-speed. Thanks for the memories.

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

Thanks for watching and for sharing your memories of the Thunderbird!

[@davidfrania8990]

I loved this generation of Thunderbird! They didn't look like anything else, and I thought the styling was spectacular. In fact, I had two, a '77 and then a '79 Town Landau. Both made very pleasurable, comfortable, and trouble-free round trips from Ohio to California. Unfortunately the next generation was such a turnoff for me that in '81 I switched to the Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme Brougham. Thanks so much for this little trip down memory lane!

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

@@davidfrania8990 thank you for sharing your experience and for your comment!

[@donaldwilson2620]

I love the ad at 1:15 with the beautiful Cheryl Ladd❤❤. You should do a video on the 8th generation 1980-82 Thunderbird. While the 7th generation and 9th generation 83-88 Thunderbirds were successful, the 8th generation was not, with both critics and buyers not liking it.

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

It's coming. :)

[@SnifBelch]

Yes!!!! I dont care what anyone says, i love those 81 birds!!!!​@@TonysFordsandMustangs

[@danielcapalbo5293]

I remember watching that commercial when I was a kid.

[@oneninerniner3427]

I got a used 1980 for my oldest boy's first car. The 255 V8 was unfortunately a dud though!

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

@@oneninerniner3427 I am working a video for that gen currently.

[@SCRAMBLER390]

Even if you are NOT a Ford fan, watching these videos will definitely enlighten you and change your thinking. Great videos. Thanks Tony.

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

@@SCRAMBLER390 thank you very much!

[@autoshotty]

My grandfather bought a 77' new. Weeks later he became unfit to drive. I just started driving at the time and would take him everywhere he needed to go driving it. He passed a few years later and bought it from my parents. Yes, my parents taught me to work/pay for everything I own. Sometime ago I found a 76' Mark V with a 460 cid engine, C6 trans. with a 9 in. posi. I rebuilt the drivetrain and did a "Letter Perfect" drivetrain swap. She's been sitting in dry storage since July of 1986 with her near perfect original paint and interior with 34K. mi. on the odometer. These vehicles were everywhere and today only a few good examples are around. I'm retired now and glad to see there is a new found interest for these and looking forward to putting her back on the road. Great memories and more to come.

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

Thank you for sharing your experience with the Thunderbird and for watching. It is appreciated.

[@SuperMickey57]

I had its corporate cousin, a 1978 Ford LTD II Sport Coupe with a one year only maroon and white two-tone paint option. "The Beast" was a great car! Plenty of power, plenty of comfort, and plenty of room for your friends!

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

I will cover the LTD II at some point. I typically see the red ones or the green ones. Thanks for watching!

[@seand2711]

These Thunderbird were absolutely GORGEOUS!

[@terry-zi7eh]

I remember these cars well. A friend bought a new 78 T-bird for his wife. I didn’t blame him, she was gorgeous. The Bird was nice too!

[@AlPenton-v5t]

I had a midnight blue with a white vinyl top 1978 Thunderbird & I loved it ❤❤❤❤

[@rpsmith2990]

These were introduced just as I started high school. I was one of the few kids my age who had his own subscription to Motor Trend, and I was blown away by the '77 as it appeared on the cover. That had followed some intriguing preview sketches of a '77 Ford Elite that looked more like a extra large Mercedes SL of the time. The '77 represented a complete change of focus for the Thunderbird. There were, essentially, two tiers to the personal luxury car market. There were the Buick Riviera, Cadillac Eldorado, Lincoln Continental Mark series, Oldsmobile Toronado and the Thunderbird. Below that, you had the Pontiac Grand Prix, Chevrolet Monte Carlo, Chrysler Cordoba and Dodge Charger, Buick Regal and Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme. The '77 Thunderbird shifted from the upper to the lower tier for sales volume, replacing the Elite. Ford could have kept the Thunderbird on the chassis it shared with the Lincoln Continental Mark series, and built the '77 car as a Elite, mirroring Buick's having both a Riviera and a Regal. I admit that I'm a bit less impressed with these cars over time, though, if the cheapest trim had been the Diamond Jubilee/Heritage version, that would have really looked like the future of upper crust personal luxury. In the age of shag carpeting in cars, they'd likely have been able to get away with it...

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

Thank you for sharing your experience

[@dmandman9]

Over the years, My Brother owned 1967, 1973, 1974, and 1975 Tbirds. The 73-75 T birds were basically a slightly less luxurious Mark IV. He viewed the 77 as a let down. He ended up getting a 1977 Lincoln Town car (not sure if they called it that at the time) . The 77-79 Tbird was as an upscale Cougar instead of a less luxurious Mark IV. It was a good, reliable car. Just not quite as upscale as the previous generation by many. The significant reduction in price for the basic car likely contributed to that perception. Approx $5,000 vs $7,500. I think it was a successor to the Ford Elite rather than an actual successor to the previous generation. Still a good car for the times. It allowed many more people to have the Thunderbird experience. The change paid off.

[@tripyramidpictures9224]

I remember my dad buying my mom a brand new 1978. This is still my favorite car, because I was only 5 yrs old, so it was my first new car experience, as I still remember the new smell etc…It was a treat every time, from my dad picking Mr up from school, or a long trip with the family, or simply to the lake. I so want to find one someday, I just could never afford it. Now, with things the way they are, it’s even now more complicated. Either way, Thanks for doing this video and sharing it!

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

Thank you for sharing your story and for watching!

[@reinderkalsbeek4748]

I loved that time working at Lorain assembly plant building the cougar,ltd, wagon and ranchero great time that's why I drive a lincoln continental mark v cartier edition

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

@@reinderkalsbeek4748 thanks for sharing your experience!

[@owlnswan4016]

I have the '77 Cartier.

[@reinderkalsbeek4748]

@@owlnswan4016 mine is the 79

[@tonywestvirginia]

I had a 77. It was a nice car.

[@RonnN-gf8tm]

My brother had 77' back in 1990' $500 beater. Good runner. Many of these on the road back then. Right On Tony!!

[@asnormalasitgets2819]

I own my parents 1979 Thunderbird and love this car. When it was new, I remember how it would glide down the road. A Great, smooth ride.

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

Thanks for sharing!

[@ADF-fe7fv]

My absolute FAVORITE model years! Friend of mine had a ‘77, I believe. That was one sexy car! Nuff said.

[@howebrad4601]

While I don't want to go back to those powertrains, I love the idea of the stylistic touches and extensive options and colors that were available. Today you get boring colors, 4 shades of grey, dull blackish grey interiors, and take it or leave it styling with no class or presence. It's better with choices in today's performance cars, but not if you want just a classy luxury mid range vehicle

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

Very true.

[@jeffwertz2953]

Another great video... thanks! Not surprised they sold so well in 78. That's the year that GM downsized the Grand Prix and Monte Carlo. They turned out to be junk.

[@r.2499]

Great presentation as always! I had a used '77 for my first car in '83 and absolutely loved her! I still miss that black with red pinstripes beauty dearly.

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

Thank you for the kind words. It is appreciated.

[@Ronn-p3r]

Awesome Tony!! These were great cars!!..Best Ford Channel!! Love this show.

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

Thank you very much! It is appreciated.

[@johnwest2204]

I've had a 1978 and two 1979s all with the 351m engine. Really fell in love with this generation.

[@danielcapalbo5293]

I think in addition to the engines mentioned a 351 windsor was also available. 1977 and 78 Thunderbirds were pretty much identical. 1979 received a different grill and taillights. Also the tailpipe on the 79 exited behind the right rear wheel as apposed to the 77,78 below the right part of the bumper. I liked these cars. I thought the LTD 2 was even better.

[@65merc390]

when i was a kid in school the homeroom teacher had a 79 heritage in maroon...that thing was dripping with options ..i fell in love with that car then..and still love them today

[@HoosierDaddy_]

I like all of the big birds. This model was pretty cool (for the 70s).

[@yankeetraveler1118]

Thanks Tony, another great relatable video. I did not have a '77-'79 Thunderbird, but I did have a '79 Mercury Cougar with the 351M. It was a very high quality vehicle for the time. I bought it used in 1989 with 70k-ish miles and it was just like new. The doors opened and shut so smooth, all the controls operated so nicely. The velour seats were amazing. Of course horsepower was nonexistent which was odd considering how much fuel it guzzled. But man it was a smooth car!

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

@@yankeetraveler1118 thank you and the Cougar is featured next week!

[@thebionicbassplayer]

I saw one of these T-Birds on the street the other day, and it's a rare sight to see today. They weren't when they came out in the 70's as they were one of Ford's most popular models.

[@stephenspilker9334]

had a comparable cougar xr7 and i loved it. and i loved the thunderbird.

[@antoinepmader]

I bought two abandoned 1977 thunderbirds earlier this year I’ve been restoring both and making 500 HP with heavily modified 400m with Cleveland alu heads and crazy compression Best cars I have ever driven and worked on

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

That’s pretty awesome. Thanks for sharing

[@jameslonergan5840]

I had a '79 Jade green with a green interior 302 V8, wire wheel covers and T-Tops. It also came with the green insert in the hood ornament.

[@derangeddwayne5532]

Love the Hotel California 8 track!

[@Flies2FLL]

I remember these from the late 1970's. I was 12 in 1978 and saw the new Thunderbirds in Grosse Ile, Michigan where my family lived at the time. I also saw the new Mk V, and I went around and around with my self as to which front turn signals I liked better: The thick plastic prism's of the Thunderbird of the understated blade lights of the MK V. Of course I was a kid, and the '77 Trans Am and the '78 Porsche 928 were THE CARS. My mother's "Bimini beige" '77 Coupe de Ville d'elegance? I used to hide behind the C pillar so the other kids didn't see me in it.... Parents rarely think about how their choices effect their children, and my parents proved this~

[@Kevv554]

Thanks Tony, I miss these things so much. Have a great weekend!

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

Thank you for watching! It is appreciated

[@TomSnyder-gx5ru]

These cars were EVERYWHERE back in the day - as was it's twin the "mini Mark" Cougar and we loved them both. I would go for the '77-'78 model over the '79 though because the '79 no longer had the full width taillights and the new "blocked" grill looked a bit heavy/gaudy to me.

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

Tom, the Cougar video goes live next week. Thanks for watching!

[@RonnN-gf8tm]

4:32 Love how they used the LTD steering wheel. My favorite Ford steering wheel.

[@Wooley689]

WOW! Check out the 1937 Cord in background 7:51 , I grew up with one of those, my Pop had one just like it, Lycoming 812 Supercharged V8.

[@milfordcivic6755]

The MN12 1989-1997 T-Bird/Cougar was the pinnacle of the best modern Thunderbird.

[@donaldwilson2620]

My mother had a 95 LX with the 4.6L V8. Great car.

[@DSP1968]

These cars were truly a revelation when they arrived. Smaller, better looking, more efficient, cheaper. An amazing array of options to to truly make it your "personal car", Thunderbird's advertising slogan for many years. I had plenty of time behind the wheel of these when new. They were impressive for the day, especially compared to the 6th generation. And I'm sure that is why they were the most popular Thunderbird ever.

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

Couldn't agree more! Thank you for your comment.

[@jimlubinski4731]

My father had a 1978 Town Landau in midnight blue with a dove gray interior. It was absolutely gorgeous and very comfortable. Actually, I liked the malaise era cars. I didn't feel the need for extreme speed, just something respectably quick, but I loved all the styling and luxury touches. I bought the next generation in 1980, the Silver Anniversary edition. My impression is that people like (at least these days) what they are told to like. I get so much hate on the 1980 (I bought another 1980 Silver Anniversary T-Bird a couple years ago) and often point to the drop in sales. What they seem to miss is that there was a severe recession from '80-'82 and interest rates were almost 20% on car loans. All car sales were down! Often I hear how the '83 was mechanically superior. I find that amusing, since the only difference from the '80-'82 version was the "aero" styling. Even the dashboard was the same! Maybe I was out of step, but I did not appreciate the styling change to the aerobirds, so I went to Pontiac until Ford came out with the next generation T-Bird.

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

I'm going to cover those cars in an upcoming video. Thank you for your comment.

[@brianmoore6306]

Great vid. I remember when these came out everyone had one!!!

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

You and me both!

[@PocketChangeInspector]

As a kid back then that was a car I liked of those I knew of. I just never realized they made a model where the rear side windows were covered. I like that model T-Bird with the glass back there better.

[@adamsmith9636]

LOVE this body style . I could not imagine driving one now the size is huge but back then I drove a Ford Elite which was almost as big .

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

@@adamsmith9636 the Elite and this car were built on the same platform

[@quincycooper79]

Love your videos Tony, especially for the 1977 Ford Thunderbird.

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

Thanks 👍

[@quincycooper79]

@TonysFordsandMustangs You're welcome brother

[@TheRiverPirate13]

I remember my dad buying a brand new 1977 Ford Thunderbird. It was red with a white leather interior. My sister and I had to stay seat belted in the back seats when we went somewhere otherwise, we would slide around on the seats! Lol! He had that car for a few years. I don't know which V8 engine option it had but he did get the needle to hit 80 Mph once with me in the car! I haven't seen one of these T-birds in years but watching this video they were really nice-looking cars!

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

Thank you for sharing your experience

[@kirkcather3670]

I loved this car.

[@BobEllis79]

My '77 was blue with a white top, blue interior, turbine wheels, and the 400 2bbl. It was a great car for me as a high school kid in the suburbs but not so great when I started commuting to college an hour across the city.

[@komradkolonel]

I knew a guy back in high school who had a 1977 Cougar, and another who had a 1980 Thunderbird. The Cougar was only the base model but it had a great interior. Arguably better than what Ford is building today.

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

The Cougar video from this generation posts next weekend. Thanks for watching!

[@althunder4269]

I've always liked these cars.

[@OathTaker3]

I loved these but never had a nice example of one, especially with t-tops. I had a white with brown top 2:33 I believe I paid $250, I had a brown on brown 5:27 I paid $50 bucks, I had a blue with cream/yellow top & rims 6:58 I over paid $300 for that one but I needed a beach beater for the weekend at the beach house to party with...it was the 80's 😉, if you catch my drift. Great video on another great Ford, thanks Tony!

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

@@OathTaker3 thank you for the kind words and for watching!

[@commandertopgun]

💙💙💙💙💙💙 I love it. great video review as ever, thank you

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

Thanks for watching!

[@walterbright1396]

My first new car. In fact, I still have it. 1978, 351W. Amazing it has survived. It definitely was malaise era, but it did manage to get good economy on the highway for the era. The interior has held up well. Nothing wrong with it. I eventually went to GM B Body a few years later. They were easy to improve performance on. Now where I live I can do any mods I want without pollution controls because of the cars age and am looking at options for bringing it into the 21st century. Maybe a 4.6l and 4R-70W could be made to work.

[@ChristopherArmstrong-et3ud]

That is the greatest movie ever! I loved Used Cars..

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

Used Cars has always been one of my favorites as well!

[@jimlafreeda43]

Fabulous segment! I loved my first car a 78 Mercury Cougar xr7. On the same platform with the 351M motor. It was a battleship in Dove Gray with Maroon top and trim. I put BF Goodrich TAs on it and fog lamps between the bumperettes. It got about 8mpg down wind in a hurricane. Lol but it was mine and I loved it. Thanks for your get stories!!

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

Jim, thank you for the kind words and for watching! The video of the Cougar of this generation goes live next week at 11 AM EST.

[@jimlafreeda43]

@TonysFordsandMustangs can't wait 👍 I wish I could share photos I have 1 of the car before I changed tires in 1988ish

[@douglasb.1203]

Ford literally sold the heck out of these. I appreciate the colors they chose.

[@waynehardy6186]

My father and I owned 78 Thunderbirds and I sorely regret selling the one I had I have been looking for one ever since.

[@thelast1900]

My parents bought a 1978 thunderbird. They bought worked for GM. My dad said he loved the styling. It was the first car we owned with A/C. Went on many trips with it!

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

Thanks for sharing your experience!

[@desertmodern7638]

These were insanely popular. I worked at a car rental agency and drove most versions, and they were quite pleasant. The 302 (5.0 litre) was gutless, but the 351 (5.8 litre) and 400 (6.5 litre) worked really well with the car. (The 400 was discontinued for 1979.)

[@bennetfox]

My aunt and uncle had a 1979 Thunderbird in white with red interior.

[@michaelsimko7694]

It's amazing how many were sold in just a 3 year period. The Aerobird was the second best selling generation and wasn't too short off of the 7th gen's numbers. The 7th gen might have also told FoMoCo about the trend in downsizing.

[@sseltrek1a2b]

my favorite Thunderbird design...

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

Thank you for watching.

[@ronaldlebowitz7409]

I actually saw one on the road yesterday and it stood out in traffic next to the little cars that or mostly on the road these days

[@mikeabney1214]

A quick spotters guide for the 77 to 79 birds, the egg crate spacing on the grill was smaller on the 77, 78 but much bigger for 79. The thunderbird emblem on the headlight doors was only on 78 and 79, 77 was blank. The full width tail light panel had two reverse lights on 77, 78 but moved to a single center reverve light for 79

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

Thanks for the info!

[@johnclements6852]

A great car, Lincoln Continental Mark V style for those without the desire or finances to buy one. Cheers from Christchurch NZ.

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

Thank you for watching!

[@protocriteria790]

The first car I bought as a married man - a three year old 1979 Town Landau. Beautiful car. I loved and pampered it for nearly ten years until it was t-boned by an intoxicated driver who ran a red light. (I wasn't seriously injured, he hit right behind the driver's door.)

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

Thanks for sharing your experience with your car.

[@trainglen22]

The 1977-1979 Thunderbirds were probably the best of the T-birds. Haven't seen any at classic car shows but to me they should be. I still like the 1980 T-bird but that is just me.

[@MarlerDunshee]

I felt this wonderful feeling in my mind, body and soul when she said “I prefer kislux

[@CAROLDDISCOVER-2025]

I own a couple of them and they both have that little 302 in them. Eventually Ford figured out how to build a 5 L engine that would actually run with some power. This generation needed a 351. Hey this is a good episode. I've been gone for about a month because my device for KZbin imploded.

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

Glad you enjoyed the episode and welcome back!

[@bradyelich2745]

I bought a 1977 LTD II in 1989 for $1500. 351W until I bent all the pushrods in it. Swapped in a 351C 2V and that car would wind the speedo past 85 around to past 0 again. Brother welded 10" X 1" channel iron under the car and it could crack a sidewalk. Good for getting onto the lake in winter, as the ice gets pushed up on shore and it 3 feet thick. Out on the ice one day, ice fishing at Blackstrap Lake. The lake was clear of snow and no speed limits. For 3 miles, wind the car out to 120mph and crank the wheel and spin for another mile. Did that for an hour, jumped the car onto the shore, and went and got more beer. It was cold that day. The car is sitting in a bush at the farm.

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

That's a hell of story. Maybe clear out bush and get the old Bird running again as it seems like you had a lot of fun in it.

[@bradyelich2745]

@@TonysFordsandMustangs It does have a clevland in it.

[@LymanPhillips]

Front split bench seats - luxury! With tufted velour! I like how the didn't bother with fancy effects on the T-bird taking flight - they just tikted the camera. 😂

[@thebestisyettocome4114]

A 1977 Mercury Cougar was dominated with one woman associated with that car. Farrah Fawcett. "At the sign of the cat"

[@brighter22]

My mom bought a new one in 77. What a land yaht.

[@MarkWG]

These were nice Thunderbirds, right for times. My family owned 2 of these, so I drove them a lot. Great cars unsurpassed by anything else built today. This Thunderbird had lots of competition from GM and Chrysler. All of them built great, midsized, personal luxury cars all so popular back in the day. The only shortcoming of the 1977 through 1979 Thunderbirds was the decision to stick two big, ugly, unframed single headlamps behind those headlamp doors. At night, it destroyed the whole car's sleekness.

[@biglazybilly]

drop a built 347 stroker in it or 351 stroker in it big full framed or 460 big block

[@billdang3953]

How about a built 400 putting out 500 HP and 500 Ft-lbs torque. Mated to a heavy duty T-56 6 speed manual trans. Getting a clutch to work in one of these could be a problem, no provisions in the interior for a clutch as far as I know.

[@louislepage5111]

I know Bobby Allison won the 78 Daytona 500 with this body style 😊

[@youtubecarspottersguide1]

79 cougar XR7 chamois edition my favorite , T bird liked the 79 grille and tail lights

[@nickn815]

Another Thunderbird video 🤩🙌👏🙌

[@leonardgilbreath9004]

I almost bought one till I found out ford was discontinuing the Ranchero and got a 79 Ranchero GT instead.

[@maryrafuse2297]

Sadly the generation (1980) that followed disappointed more than satisfied. My dad passed away in February of 1980. A few weeks before the sales rep from Keltic called all excited hoping he would trade on a new T-Bird. Dad could not get by the stumpy looks. And that was that. Sadly our 77 was driven in the funeral procession for my father, but he had his one beautiful car. Bitter sweet memories from the beginning of the decade that would change all our lives.

[@billnorris3305]

I remember when these came out. Thought they were one of the best looking cars of the time. I finally got one in 1985. Wound up hating it. Couldn’t throw enough money at it to make it happy. The most unreliable car I’ve ever owned. It also eventually turned itself in to two tone paint job when all the silver paint came off the hood and left the maroon primer. The half vinyl top took flight on the freeway one day too.

[@mcn1127]

Fun fact, Farrah Fawcett did a commercial for the '77 Cougar, and Cheryl Ladd did the '77 Thunderbird commercial you see in the beginning of this post. *Farrah

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

Farrah's next weekend with the Cougar ;)

[@paulzammataro7185]

Team Cheryl ❤

[@mcn1127]

@@paulzammataro7185 I didn't even know it was Cheryl, whereas YOU knew it was Farrah for the Cougar. *I rest my case.

[@owlnswan4016]

They have aged well. For a poor-man's Mark, they did a great job. It's amazing they sold a car that nice for such a low price, though you did need to fill it up equipment and trim wise to make it really nice.

[@rudedogg6331]

One of the best cars built during that era, sturdy, reliable, stylish, easy to maintain, and built with the most rust resistant metal I've ever seen. I had a '78 351C, and my mother owned a '79 T-top with a 400 police interceptor I transplanted in after the 351W broke a crankshaft. With all the parasitic crap removed and dual exhaust installed, she used to beat Camaros street racing 😂 nothing funnier than the look on some Chevy kids face than when a chubby little old lady just smoked your IROC Z in a land yacht 😂

[@viciouspoodle5543]

I always thought the 1980 Lincoln Mark VI would have been a better car if it was based on this platform but with the updated EFI V-8 and 4speed OD automatic rather than the Town Car based car they came up with.

[@onekoneb]

Loved the look of those cars, but they were huge and heavy.

[@bigmacmach1185]

We had a gray one of these when I was 8 or 9 years old, 1979 model I think? I remember the sluggish acceleration and the duh dun dah noise it would make while doing it, even with the 351. It was comfortable though. 😂

[@theplayernkc]

I never knew there was a T-Bird with T-Tops.

[@xaenon]

You didn't want one unless you lived in AZ or SoCal. They leaked BAD.