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

The 7th Generation Thunderbirds were the pinnacle of the Malaise era. 1970’s luxury, comfort, and class are what you thought of when you saw one of these cars. Ford threw every styling touch at the Thunderbird and even released special editions each and every year of production in order to boost sales. Apparently that worked.

The big question is where these cars any good? Let’s take a look.

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[teebird]

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

[Thunder_]

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.

[toomuch]

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!

[williampalmer]

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...

[darylthomas]

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.💪❤

[maryrafuse]

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. 🙂

[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!

[jasonkoc]

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 .

[SCRAMBLER]

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

[davidfrania]

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!

[Dac]

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.

[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.

[Mr]

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

[jeremytd]

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.

[SuperMickey]

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!

[ADF-fefv]

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

[tripyramidpictures]

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!

[asnormalasitgets]

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.

[RonnN-gftm]

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

[donaldwilson]

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.