1978 Ford Thunderbird Reviews, Pricing & Specs

Seventh Generation T-Bird was restyled, losing 1000 lbs. and 10 in. in length- new styling and performance made this 'Bird wildly popular with Americans- 350,000 sold in 1978- updated 351 V8 and 2.50 rear end gave acceptable fuel economy- my car was purchased from original California owner with 98,000 miles and is in perfect condition with original after market alloys and new tires- the car is powerful, corners flat thanks to beefy sway bars front and rear, and stops on a dime- love to cruise it and get many comments thanks to the shiny Dove Grey paint and perfect chrome and trim- #8J87H176608 shows car was built in Los Angeles factory- an affordable classic in #2 condition

I adore my thunderbird. its my baby, I show it and shine it up. Its the smoothest riding vehicle I have ever driven and it is amazing! I will never give it up, its made a collector out of me.

I have done very little to this car over the years. I am the 2nd owner, and aside from routine maintenence, all I have added was the Magnum 500 wheels, and dual exhaust. It has been a very reliable car, comfortable as a lazyboy chair, with great looks.

Okay, let's face it--the late 1970's was definitely NOT considered to be the high-water mark for American automobile manufacturing and design. And the luxo-barge segment of that era was, in particular, not world-renowned for it's cutting-edge innovation and performance. But thirty years later, maybe they weren't as bad as we remember... The '78 T-Bird epitomized the phrase 'land yacht'. It was my second car and did not have a high bar to jump as my first was a '79 Buick Regal with a bad radiator and sagging headliner. I have to say that compared to the Buick, this car was simply awesome. It didn't have even 40k miles on it when I acquired it from my uncle in 1985, and the burnt-orange paint and dark brown vinyl interior looked as new as the day it rolled out of the showroom. The front seats were cavernous and luxurious, even if they were vinyl. Eight-way power seats with separate, fold-down center armrests for driver AND passenger. Cruise control. Faux wood dash with large white-on-black circular gauges. It was like sitting in a Lazy-Boy! Awesome. The back seats were really just for decoration, though, because as big as this car was there was almost no legroom at all for back seat passengers! The view out the windshield was awesome, too. You really couldn't tell where the front of the car was...it look like it just kept on going to the horizon. Which it almost did, really. Just massively huge. Staring down all that shiny sheet metal, I just couldn't help but feel like I was at the wheel of a serious piece of machinery. Of course, that's because I was. Although it had a 5.0L V-8 under the hood, it required every last one of those 302 cubic inches to motivate this monster down the road. Acceleration was not, shall we say, brisk. Steering was surprisingly light for such a big car thanks to the hugely overboosted power steering system. Handling and braking were...uh...hmmm...well, let's just say that one had to anticipate any and all inertial changes to the vehicle's trajectory will in advance. So even though in many ways this car represents all that was wrong with Detroit in the 1970's, outside of that context it really isn't so bad. In fact, in lots of ways it's downright cool. I thought so then. I think so now. And that's the truth.

"Nora" is the 4th of this generation of Thunderbird to grace my driveway. Obviously, ford got something VERY right all those years ago. These have to be amongst the least expensive, most reliable, comfortable and durable cars it is possible to have.

American Muscle. Engine was easy to work on. Felt secure behind the wheel. Few issues with the car. only real issue I ever had was the exhaust and the vacuum lines. Replaced both the exhaust and the lines and the head lamp covers and cruise control worked fine.

This Thunderbird has been babyed by its 3 owners. It is built solid, no repairs needed, no squeaks, no rattles, freshly painted, interior well maintained. So fun to drive and such a privilege to own a real piece of Americana!

I love my Thunderbird! She is the most dependable and reliable vehicle i have ever owned and paid a whopping $350.00 for it back in 2009. I have only put about 400 in this car and that was for new rims and tires. Mechanically she is very sound! She has dual exhaust with 3 inch chrome tips for great sound and she has a 351 w under the hood all chromed out and polished every few days. she has a helluva sound system too! I may be old but by no means am i dead! The gas milaege is this car is phenominal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

When i bought this car in '87 it was to be my first legal on the road car. While my friends were driving Camaro's and Olds cutlas and what-not, I liked this one. Under the hood was a 351Clevland, RWD and power everything else.

it was a beautiful tutone blue with opera windows and hidden headlights what a beautiful car but it broke down to many times and had to go sold it off and ended up with a little chevy chevette, that was an a needed replacement