1969 Ford Thunderbird Reviews, Pricing & Specs

I can't part with it. The style is so futuristic plus it's comfortable, safe and extremely powerful. I have over $10K invested in my Thunderbird and like many collectors, the investment far exceeds the value but I don't care. "Glamour Birds" as what the 67 - 71 models are know as, were built in the Lincoln factory in Wixom, MI and had very high quality control and very good materials. Ford was the unchallenged leader in the personal luxury market at the time and the 1969 Thunderbird demonstrated a challenge Ford was not going to lose. Motor Trend magazine tested the 1969 Thunderbird, Buick Riviera and Oldsmobile Toranado and the T=Bird won hands down. Just two model years into the Glamour Bird style, Ford didn't rest on their laurels by making cosmetic changes. The '69 Thunderbird included many changes that made it handle better (it was lower than the two previous years), had the mighty 429 4V Thunder Jet 360 hp engine and suspension tweeks.Nov 13, 2013

The year was 1980, and I had the opportunity to buy one of these at a price of $1995. The mileage on that old-style odometer only showed 47,500, and I had no way of knowing if it was actual miles or +100,000 or even +200,000! (In retrospect, I believe it was assuredly +100,000.) The exterior was a kind of light metallic blue and the interior was white leather. Very nice car, but it didn't have a lot of back seat room for the size. The engine was the standard 429 4bbl with high compression, with factory-claimed 360 horsepower (gross.) It was a strong-running, torquey engine, but I recall that I very much doubted the 360 horsepower claim! However, I was aware the 429 had a good record for durability and was reasonably economical if driven right. Due to my uncertainty about the actual miles, I passed on the car. I almost hated to do so at the time, but something about it just felt wrong. I guess we'll never know!Oct 17, 2007