I bought my first house in 1977. The co-developer of the little subdivision lived in the (larger) house across the street. He had a pristine brown metallic 1970 T-Bird, in which I always assumed he had installed some unique aftermarket rear window brake lights. Now I know the truth! You never cease to inform.
The 385 series 429 became the only engine offered in Thunderbirds starting in the 1968 model year. It was a huge improvement over the just adequate 390 which was standard from 1961-67, although the 428 FE engine was available in 1966 and 67, and it has been reported that a small number of 1964-65 Thunderbirds were equipped with the 427 FE engine. In 1963, a special "M" code 390 was installed in approximately 140 cars, it had the 3 2-barrel carburetion arrangement of 62-63 390/406 used in Galaxies. The 1960 Thunderbird was available with a 430 ci MEL series engine used in Lincolns as an upgrade option from the standard 352. The 429 was phased out during 1973 being replaced by the longer stroke 460.
Personally speaking i believe that the 1970 model year for American automobile manufacturers was simply the Pinnacle of design and power across the board. Every brand had some gorgeous designs. Im a Mercury guy, i have owned at least 8 1970 Mercury Montego MX , Brougham and a 351 Cleveland 4 speed Cyclone. I regret letting any of them get away. My Dad had a 1970 2 dr Bird and the backseat was just so cool, he bought it used in 1972, I was 8 years old. That began the love affair with FoMoCo products and 1970 cars of all brands. Great video and thanks for the memories it brought up. P.S. that Tbird would screw, one bad hombres.
I don't think I have either, oddly. I was born in 1970 into a car loving family, but we were all GM. Even so, I know I have seen plenty of '70 Torinos and LTDs, but not a 1970 or '71 t-bird, especially a four door. I don't think I would have forgotten that beak on the front. I distinctly remember the '72s and later as they were still kicking about in the late '70s and early '80s when I really got interested in cars. Maybe they were not popular where I am from.
The 70 and 71 Thunderbirds were just beautiful and unique! That Torino-esque roofline, the 429 V8 and all the different levels and trims. I had a 71 Special Brougham Sports roof with the Hopsack cloth trimmed buckets and console, and it was fantastic. Fewer than 200 cars were so equipped with those tail lights.
A friend of mine's parents had some nice cars. When he got married, I got to drive their '64 T-Bird in the wedding. That car was like driving a cloud......A 23 year old tuxedo clad young man in a '64 T-Bird. I felt like Dean Martin. 😆
Those full width tail lights were more or less a Thunderbird trademark from 1970 through 1982. You could always spot a Thunderbird at night just by the tail lights.
Fords of this era also had front AND rear side marker lamps wired to the parking-turn circuit in an alternating ground fashion, so that they flashed in synchrony with the turn signals when the parking lamps were off, and in opposition to the turn signals when on. GM started this in the '70s. All Fords that did this had the exact same generic recessed square side marker lenses (Maverick, Torino, Thunderbird, Montego). Honda used this in the '80s but stopped doing it sometime in the early to mid '90s.
I bought a 68 4 door was I was 18 years old. That was 1978. Burgundy with white vinyl top and black interior. Buckets and console. 429. Beautiful cars. I would sit in my folks living room at night to admire it parked under the streetlight at night. I was obsessed with that car.
A 68 with bucket seats and console would be a dream for me. So happy you were able to enjoy. As someone who wants to own a 68 (possibly even a 67 or 69 even though those are a little different) what would you say would be good tips for maintenance and ownership?
@@desiderium3243 As a high-school kid, the only maintenance I ever did was put gas in the tank. I owed the car for about 2 years. Sold it due to poor fuel economy and to help pay for college. But it was all great while it lasted.
@@jasonfrodoman1316 seeing as I am a college student currently and already get very annoyed having to wait in the long Costco lines for cheap gas like it’s 1973 all over again. I complain about my modern bronco being thirsty so I can’t imagine being stingy with the 429. I’ll have to search the couch cushions for extra quarters next time 😣.
I received one of these '70 T-Bird sport coupes in 1975 for my 16th birthday. Apparently I'd been a very good boy!!! I had miles and smiles of fun in that car! It was white vinyl over gorgeous chocolate brown with the brown tufted cloth interior. How I loved that car!
In 1970 Ford Thunderbird magazine ads, they liked to position the 1970 Thunderbird in front of the new Boeing 747, stating 1970 is a "year for new birds" or something like that.
My dad had a four-door '70 T-Bird. Absolutely gorgeous and incredibly fast. The interior was white leather and the back seat was a wraparound work of art. Spectacular car.
@@MarinCipollina It's been a minute, but I think they managed an approximation. I do recall that it made an impression on me as being different from the garden variety sedans of the time.
This brings back memories! I bought a fully optioned black '70 Sport Coupe from a Ford engineer. It had been used as a test car by the Advanced Car team he managed to test various window seal and sound deadening materials. In order to get a good baseline, they disassembled the car and refit the body panels, windows and doors to exact design standards. When I bought the car from him, it would run as silent as a tomb at 80 - 85 mph. Sadly, as was common for cars of the era, especially in southeast Michigan, it succumbed to rust. I'd love to have that car back.
In 1971 I was 6 years old, and I remember going to Gorno Ford on Fort Street in Wyandotte to look at Fords. They had a red four door Thunderbird in there, and I remember the red color and the red interior. I opened the door and the number of chrome buttons on the drivers door armrest was amazing! I also remember that nasty beaky grill that stuck out in the middle.... Great video!
@@phillittle9321 The Ford dealer that my dad bought the '72 LTD was on Fort Street, in Riverview. I thought it was Gorno Ford? Perhaps I am wrong, but there was a Ford dealer there near the "Federals" department store. There was also up the street a defunct fast food place called "Red Barn". I just looked it up on Google Earth and now the place is called "Michigan Vehicle Services", and the former Federals is now a Kroger Marketplace-
-I read that the high mounted brake lights on the '71 and later Toronado's caused the government to issue the edict that '86 and later cars had to have a third high-mounted brake light. Insurance adjusters noted that these cars had FAR fewer rear end collisions and came to the conclusion that these lights were responsible.
I can remember admiring the 1970 T-Bird with the iconic Bunkie Nose as a kid when it first came out…. And still recall my Dad contemplating how it would fare in challenging parallel parking maneuvers in the city.
In 1973 I bought a 71 Bird two door Landau. The 70 hardtop that you showcased without a vinyl top is the best looking of the model. My Landau two door was the worst, both in looks and not being able to see out the rear as you back out of a parking spot. I owned the car for about three years and it was surprisingly quick and got good mileage with the high compression 429. I then bought a 72 Bird which had a much better air conditioner but lacked the power and fuel mileage because of the low compression 429. However, the 72 road much better than the 71. I have never heard of or seen the high mounted brake lights. I wonder if they ever were actually produced?
I've always found the '70/'71 Thunderbird particularly striking in white, with the coordinated wheel covers. In addition to the "Bunkie Beak" front end, the 1970 Thunderbird appears to have no front bumper, just chrome trim highlighting the grille and headlight pockets. The front pan below the "bumperettes" was usually painted body color, but I did see one 1971 Thunderbird 4-door with the lower pan chromed giving the front end a rather odd appearance. Unusual styling considering federal bumper standards were just three years away. Thank you, Adam.
Loved the review. Check out the 1949 (and earlier) Plymouth! My father had one and check the web for images of the sloping trunk with a high mounted stop light in the middle of the trunk. Always liked that. Purchased a new 2003 "retro" T-Bird in Baby Blue years ago as my every day car. 100,000+ miles and going strong. Thanks for your work here!
I bet the high level taillights are a very rare option on the 1970 Thunderbird. I have never seen one with them. However, growing up in the 1970s, I have seen many, many GM cars with them on each side under the rear window, as you showed in this video.
My Uncle had a new 1970 4-door Thunderbird in Competition Blue with a black vinyl roof. Loved the suicide doors and tail lights. That car was really fast with the 429. I agree with you Adam, that were a great ride and the back seat was like a couch!!
Amazing find! Never knew the T-bird offered high mounted stop lamps as an option, and in 1970 no less. Never saw one, and I wonder how many cars were equipped with these. Whoever designed the front end was definitely not talking to the rear end designer.
I was not aware of this option for the 1970 Thunderbird I knew that it was mandated in 1986 for all cars. Great information and well delivered! Adam, Thank You.
The 1941-1948 Lincoln Continental also had a center mounted third brake light. Like the 1942 Chrysler, the Continental’s third light wasn’t high, it was pretty much in the middle of the Continental kit, but it was a huge improvement over the two minuscule tail lamps on the rear fenders.
My did worked in a Ford dealership in 1970. I don't remember ever seeing the high-mounted tail lamps. I remember they had a fabulous stereo radio which was quite the novelty at that time.
A great episode, Adam! I have neve seen a car equipped this forward-looking feature in the wild either, though I have seen a lens for sale on eBay. FYI, the "Lamps, Supplemental Brake with turn signal indicators" option was available in the 1969 model year for $33.70, according to my Ford Manufacturer's Label Prices pocket guide dated October 7, 1968. Interestingly, There is also a black and white photo of the option in the 1969 Dealer Facts Book. in the January, 1970 version of the Label Prices book that I have, they are not mentioned, nor is a price given. Perhaps they were either discontinued due to a poor installation rate, or temporarily unavailable. And like you, I think that the Sepcial Brougham option available for the 1960 and 1971 two-door Thunderbirds was quite stunning. With respect to the fabric -- that hopsack cloth was very popular in home furnishings of the time.
That's great info, I'm glad you at least found a lens on eBay. I've never seen a 1969 or 1970 Thunderbird equipped with these either and I've loved the 67-71 T-Birds since I was a kid in the 70's, so over the years I've researched these cars a lot and come to assume this option was one of those items that appeared in the brochures and other literature of the time but perhaps never actually made it into production. Here's hoping somebody can find a car in the wild with these lamps actually installed and operating!
@@foreverxxchanges Like you, I've always been a Thunderbird lover. The thing to do for those truly interested would be to contact Kevin Marti @ Marti Auto Works and have him run a report from the Ford production database to see how many cars were so equipped. I don't know what he charges for that sort of research. The other thing would be to see the Marti Report of a car so equipped to get that information for that year/body style.
@@DSP1968 I agree, contacting Kevin Marti would be the way to go. If I were ready to buy one of these machines (which at the moment I am not) I think I would contact Marti Auto Works and spend the money to find out. There is a post in this thread where somebody remembers seeing a car equipped with these back in 1977 so between you finding a lens on eBay and a sighting 47 years ago I'm happy if I'm wrong in my assumption! I've sporadically shopped the 1970 & 1971 models online over the years and I do look for this feature on the 1970 models so I will keep hopes up of finding one equipped, and with the info you provided I'll start checking the 1969 models more closely too as they come up for sale.
My father was a Ford salesman from 1960 to 1982 he would get a new demo car every 2 weeks, mostly country squires (LTD Station wagon), but occasionally, he would bring home a T-Bird, the smoothest ride ever. Once he came home with the black mariya (fully optioned black on black T-Bird), he gave me a ride to the roller rink in it for my eleventh (1970) birthday. I felt so cool.
I never cared for the 'nose' on those, nor had I heard of the brake lights.I Love the tail end of these, but will have to choose the 69 4-dr. Thank you,as always, for your videos.
My mom and dad bought a 1970 thunderbird brand new (candyapple red with a white vinyl top and ivory and black interior. Other cool features of the 1970 only: Antennae integrated into the windshield (two tiny wires) and the color coded front bumper (1971 had a regular antennae on the fender and stainless steel front bumper). Mom and dad gave the 1970 to me 20 years ago and it rests during the winter next to my 1964 Thunderbird convertible. I love my birds.
Adam...i love that you've favorably showcased the "glamour" 'Birds. I've posted on prior videos my love for my parents' 1967 4-Door 428 model and 1968 2-door 429 Coupe (no vinyl top thank God)...they had their peccadillos but were very durable vehicles(zero issues with the engines or transmissions) that brought our family much delight. I miss the times and the cars very much.
Had a Cougar XR7 from 72 blue with 1/2 white vinyl and striped cloth interior...CJ 351 auto and bias ply tires...quick and comfy just stay out of the back seat!! Thx!
1970 Thunderbird, My first car. I purchased it in 1982 for $800 dollars. I was 17 years old! Loved the big back seat and I'm telling you this car would cruise and burn rubber, lol. My next car was a trans am but thats another story, lol. Thanks for the memories.
Adam, this is one of my favorite videos you’ve done. Through the perspective of design, and the mystery of the high CHMSL, you not only revealed a greater appreciation for this chapter of Thunderbird styling for me than I have ever had before, but also applied to it a bit of Riviera/Toronado history and critical thinking that created an even fuller picture overall of the question and the evolution of the CHMSL. Thanks!
Thank you Adam. I did not know Ford was first in this respect. This was interesting to learn. I appreciated you showing the Oldsmobile Toronado and Buick Riviera with this feature. This 1970-1971 Thunderbird has styling and themes that appeared later on the 1980's Thunderbirds. You can see the influence. Thank you for sharing the design theme that went from the Cadillac design studio to Buick on the Riviera. GM did that a lot. I rode in the 1976 version of that Riviera with that same rear styling. That was a nice way of describing the 1977-1978 Buick Riviera. It was a dressed up LeSabre. Better things were ahead for 1979. I was told that front end styling on the Thunderbird was prompted by Pontiac. You have to give credit to Ford for that interior for the details.
Funny, you mention that I was born in 1960 and my sister says I was born too late. I love the music and all the cars. Everything was fantastic back then but I still like to reminisce.
One of my Eleanor's..lol My Uncle Don had a triple black 70' with the Thunderjet.that car was soooo fast once it got past 20-25 mph..from a rolling start it was a rocket.
These t-birds were really nice and quiet cars. They were definitely a cut above the norm. Not a huge fan of the 72 front end and actually I liked the 77-79 Front view much better. They were indeed cheapened down but still a nice car. I owned a ‘78 and it really was a good car. I came from a ‘74 Monte Carlo and was amazed how much quieter, smoother, build quality and reliable the thunder chicken, (as I affectionately called it) was in almost every way, though handling was lesser.
While I own a 1991 Thunderbird, I hadn't been aware of the history of the full width tail lamps. The 89-93 models had separate left and right lenses that wrapped all the way over the license plate in the rear deck and met right in the middle. Even though they weren't illuminated all the way across, they do have reflectors under the plastic shell. It's neat to know the later designers were calling back to previous models with that little detail.
The 71 models had a three spoke steering wheel instead of two. I have never been able to get past that nasty looking two spoke wheel, even after all these years. The same holds true to the Mark III.
Growing up, the neighbor behind us had a Beak-Bird with the formal roof and wrap around rear upholstery. Then the neighbor across the street bought one of the super fastbacks. Good times... 😌
Yes, in '71 T-Bird brought back the formal roof line on the coupe, which T-bird first had in 1966, then brought back in 69 and then again in 71. offering the buyer the choice the formal roofline or the roof line with the rear quarter windows for the back seat.
From the rear, these are great looking cars - almost Dodge Charger like. I don't care for the Bunkie Beak, as I think the hidden headlights and the "jet intake" front fascia of the 1967-69 Birds was a better look. In any event with the not-yet emissions choked 429 under the hood, these Birds had some get up and go!
Yes, the 70 Thunderbird Sport Coupe was a very good design. The view you have presented is great. I really like the wrap around rear seat especially in leather.
There was a time in I believe in 1937 when Oldsmobile had high mounted tailights. They were mounted on the sides near where the roof and rear quarter panel met.
If you didn't like the Hopsack interior you could get leather or what the salesmen referred to as "Panty Cloth". I had panty cloth bench seats in a 1968 Fairlane with a 200 inline six, auto. I paid about $400 for it, the seats were very comfortable, and you couldn't kill that motor or tranny.
My family had a ‘71 coupe with the more formal roofline like the 4 door with the wraparound leather back seat. Wonderful car to drive and for road trips. Extremely comfortable. In the dark green that was so prevalent at the time. My uncle had same green in one with the sporty roofline and hopsack bucket seats. Just amazing cars that has no problem on Texas highways at 70 - 80 mph…. By the way, the front end/nose was a pewter type metal that cracked and fell away in an accident. The original impact bumper?? Learned all about that on day 3 when Mom got hit after dropping us off at school…
My friends brother had a 1970 Thunderbird it was like a second car for him so on the weekends he would let us use it loved interior that car also I love that big 460 engine that it had. At least I think it was a 460 and we had good times with that car.
With all due respect to you Chrysler people. I always thought those tail lights mounted on the top of the fenders were an afterthought and ruined the flow of the design. It’s almost like oh damn we forgot the tail lights and just stuck something on.😮
Probably an idea (like Bunkie noses) that Bunkie Knudsen (or one of his assistants) brought over from GM who knew it was going to be on the 71 Toronado.
Haven’t see any of these at any car shows or meets that I can remember! I can remember the wild modern advanced sequential turn signals on these. Somehow the broad shouldered trunk and the ====> signals were fantastic! I’d give the Toronado the credit on the taillights. Seemed odd then but definitely had a safety benefit!
The 1967-1971 Thunderbird is my second most favorite generation, after the legendary Aerobird. I love how it has the perfect styling of luxury, sportiness, and muscle. The all-new 1972 Thunderbird was a popular trend in the 70s. Exterior styling on cars like the Thunderbird went from a combination of luxury and sportiness in the 60s to plain luxury in the 70s.
Sexy Bird! IMO the best looking body lines on cars (Especially muscle cars and luxury cars) happened between 1965 -1972. We had 7 years of incredible body styles from Ford, GM, Chrysler and even AMC
I own a 1970 Thunderbird and I was not aware of this option. Mine has the "Bordello" cloth interior with power seats and windows, AM radio and no cruise or tilt wheel. Marti report says 36,847 total were built.
All the Fords with the Cruise-O-Matic could be started in Second Gear by placing the selector in the D2 Position. Unfortunately, this was the first position on the selector and people would select this position and then complain that the Ford was a dog. The D1 position gave you all three gears and was the second position. If you was shifting from Reverse to Drive and just pulled the shifter down or back if a floor shifter, you would run into the stop where you had to pull the lever back to get into the L position. I loved the Ford Cruise-O-Matic Automatic transmissions and they made great snow cars due to the second gear start. The Cruise-O-Macic should not be confused with the older Ford-O-Matic which was only a two speed unit like the Chevy Slip & Slide Power-Glide. I believe the Ford-O-Matic was discontinued in the late 50s or maybe in 60-61.
I've never actually seen these lights on a 70 or 71 Thunderbird. I've seen the brochures. MyDad had a 65, 66 (2) 70s. Then an 83 and finally a 95. The center reverse light were also interesting. When the taillights were on the red light was pickd up through a multi prismed lense over the reverse light bulbs. This would make the reverse light disappear at night until you backed up. Great video. Brings back memories growing up. Thanks!
