Here’s how the Ford Thunderbird went from roadster to land yacht and back 

04:55 Oh God... It's hysterical to see that lang yacht trying to snake its way through the pylons. It looked like the Titanic trying to do a slalom ski run.

I had an '88 Thunderbird 5.0. I loved that car!

I remember in the 90’s. Chevy marketing their FWD V6 Monte Carlo as “the closest thing to Nascar”. when Ford was using the RWD V8 T-Bird.

I may be weird, but having been born in 75, I fell in love with the late 70s T-birds, and I still love them to this day. Something about them.

My favorite was my mom's 1978 Town Landau, dove gray inside and out with red pin stripes, red insets in the turbine wheels and the red acrylic hood ornament. That was one sharp T-Bird!

In 1985 I got my my first car as a 17 year old. It was a 1979 Thunderbird. It had a green metallic paint job, green vinyl interior, green carpet and even a green steering wheel. When I took it up to 70 mph that long front end would rise into the air so high that I had to sit up very straight just to see over it. That wasn’t easy to do because all the armor all I had put on the vinyl seats had me slipping all over the place. If I turned a corner too fast it would send me over into the passenger seat😂. Oh yeah, the car made a very distinctive whistling noise when exceeding 70mph. Good times😁

My uncle is a car collector. He has a 1955 T-Bird and a 2005 T-Bird. The first model year and the last. I've only seen the 2005, it looks new. I have never seen the 55. He keeps them in his garage and will drive the 05 from time to time.

I really like the old Thunderbird and the retro Thunderbird.

I worked for Ford Motor Company 1961-1964. Drove only demonstrator Thunderbird convertibles. Owned: 1963 Convert bought new for my mother; owned two 1962 Sports Roadsters -- complete with 5 sets (each) of the wire wheels (a real problem -- had to use inner tubes) and ended up with a 1966 Thunderbird convertible. Still have 3-D pictures of the Sports Roadsters.

My first car was a 1988 Mercury Cougar, I always liked the styling on that generation. The Thunderbird was overall a better looking car, but I liked the upward sweeping rear windows on the Cougar and the more squared off rear window which provided better rear seat headroom. Also, the reversing lights had the cougar logo, and that did it for me as a teenager.

When I was a kid, an older lady friend of my family had a '61 bullet bird. White with red leather interior, power windows and seats (in those days!). When I got my driver's license I was offered that T-bird (with only 42K miles, I remember) as a gift, but my dad nixed the idea because he said it was unsafe. I got a Volvo instead. Oh well.

Love my 2005 retrobird it's fun to drive! Solid car, unique.

My mom had a fully loaded 88’ turbo. I loved that car so much and still think the specific loaded model is gorgeous.

my dad had an '87 lx and I used to love that car!!! I was 8 years old and actually ran outside the next day to make sure I wasn't dreaming!!!

I got a 1988 Thunderbird when I was a Jr in high school in 1991. I also had 1990, 1991, and 1997. That 1997 had everything on it, from a v8, to leather seats, and a sunroof. It was red with a tan interior. I got that car new and drove to about 150,000 miles. I hated the day I drove off and left it after trading. I want to eventually find a nice, well-kept Thunderbird from the last generation, for my wife and me to go out riding.

I worked for a company that installed t tops in 78 and 79 Thunderbirds in Chicago. My friend owned a 71 with a 429 cubic inch engine. We were cruising at 125 mph on the outer drive.

I owned a new 79' Heritage. Maroon with gold turbine wheels, stainless targa band and a hood that reached into the next County. I sure wish I had it today.

That 1976 Tbird was one sweet car. I think the 67-69 models were my favorites.

Had a 1967 tbird 428. 1984 turbo coupe 1988 5.0. And a 1994 super coupe. All fun cars.

The SC and V8 T Birds of the nienties were amazing and great looking cars. I had one. Wish I hadnt let it go.

My mother had a 95 T-Bird LX with the 4.6 V8 and it was a nice car. I still like that generation today, especially the SC. For the classic T-Birds, I loved the 1964-66 convertible model and I fell in love with it when it was featured in Thelma and Louise.

The bullet bird is beautiful. I also don't mind the SC thunderbird of the nineties.

My first new car was a 1987 Sport model with the 5.0L. I was working at a Ford dealer and when I saw it come off the transport truck it was love at first sight. Never got beat by a Turbo Coupe, though many tried.

I like the 87-88 Foxbody T-birds with the 5.0. Those make great track cars and they look decent.

My buddy used to have a '79 t- bird back in the mid to late 90s he drove around for like 5 years that's back when you can find a fairly nice car like that in pretty good condition with under 100,000 miles for 500 bucks

I've got an 89 base, and a 91 super coupe and i love them both. Very fun to drive.

My favorite Thunderbirds are 1961 to 1966 generation. My second favorite generation is 1967 to 1969. Build quality on all of them at that time was first rate at Wixom Assembly in Michigan. Other standouts are the 1976 Thunderbird with the Gold and Creme Luxury Group, 1987 and 1988 Turbo Coupe with manual transmission, and the 1989 - later SC models.

My family always had the 1977-78 version. I took that thing to take my driver's license test. When all of the smog bullshit came off, it was a solid car. Powerful, too. My favorite car was the LTD Elite from 1976. Great cat from Ford

My uncle had a 76 Thunder Bird, awesome car, costed him a lot to fill up it but it was comfortable

Mine was an '87 LX, with the 5.0L V8. It was smooth and quiet. The Turbo Coupe technically had more power, but it wasn't as consistently there, when you needed it. It was also noisy. It sounded like a Honda. In addition, it needed PREMIUM gas, for peak performance. The 5.0 did fine on Plus. I liked the grille. In fact, I liked the extra bit of chrome, compared to the Turbo Coupe. I liked the round tail lights, behind the smoked cover. It was my first car, with aluminum wheels. It was one of my favorite cars. My previous car was an '85 Cougar.

A coworker of mine had a half-restored 60's T-Bird in his garage for ages and was super excited when the revival model was announced. He talked about it every day and bought a yellow one as soon as they came out. I think he was just happy to have any T-Bird for he and his wife to go cruising.

Loved the 77 with those awesome turbine alloy rims. Those cars were so popular.

I had a 1994 LX white w/blue cloth interior. Absolutely loved it so much that I traded it for a 1996 LX dark green w/tan cloth interior and moonroof. Two of my most favorite cars I’ve owned.

Knew a gentleman who owned a 63 t- bird. It unfortunately sat for yrs, and he passed away in 18. I hope it was bought and is now on the road again. And I like the 02-05 roadsters.

I've owned three Thunderbirds (Well, two and one Cougar), 9th and 10th generation. Loved those cars. I had a special edition 1997 model featuring Ernie Ervan's signature and number embroidered on the headrests. Wrecked it in a snowstorm after owning it for eight years.

I had a 1979 Thunderbird. Wish I still had it.

My first car was a 79 T-bird. My grandpa bought it new when I was only a couple months old. It handled like a tank and I used to get scared looks from guys driving eighteen wheelers. Old girl broke down about once a month and my friends all laughed at it, but I miss the old girl.

I still have my parents 79 Cougar XR-7; they bought as a demo in Torrance California at Bill Hopkins Lincoln Mercury.

My uncle had a '56. It was such a cool little car!

In 1972, my mom had a 1969 2-door w/ metal roof, silver-gray exterior, and burgundy interior. Dad bought a new T-bird ever year from 1972 to 1975. Then he got a new Lincoln 2-door in 1976.

We’ve owned two Thunderbird Diamond Jubilee’s. The first one was an original 30,000 mile car that we sold. The one we currently own will need paint and a vinyl roof replacement. My wife and I just really enjoy the way they drive.

The wild part is how radically different the 1980 is from the 1983 despite being on the SAME ("Fox") platform. Amazing what different sheet metal can do!

My aunt and her ex husband had a 1977 Thunderbird in 1977 and my aunt ended up totaling it out and ended up in a wheel chair for many years after that.

My neighbor has a 1957 red thunderbird. Its beautiful.

My favorite generation by far was the 1977-1979 models. In fact, besides cars I could never afford, my favorite of car was the 1970s personal luxury car, like the Monte Carlo, Grand Prix, Cutlass Supreme, Regal, Cordoba, Lincoln Mark IV and Mark V, and the 6th and 7th Gen Thunderbird, and even the Gran Torino Elite. Pretty much any two door RWD car with a landau roof and opera windows.

I loved the 88 turbo coupe. I think it was the best looking T-bird of the modern generations.

We had an 84 Cougar. My brother recked it in 93. I really liked that car

Hey!!!! I really enjoyed your informative episode covering the Ford Thunderbird. Back in the mid 1970's three of my Dad's sisters owned a Ford Thunderbird. 1 Aunt owned a 1976, 2 toned Gold Thunderbird that was fully blown and 1 of my favorites. I washed that car several times 4 "FREE" -- just so I could open the moonroof and blast the sound (8 - trak tape player) system. My Aunt from Galveston, TX had a 1978 Thunderbird that was a plain, daily driver. It had a bench seat, 1 outside driver's window, a small (??302 maybe??) V - 8 engine and a dove grey exterior. I drove it a few times from her home 2 "SEARS" to have the vehicle service. With Galveston being an Island and my Auntie parking that vehicle outside, that Island weather ate that car up before it could become 10 years old. The Aunt from McAllen TX owned a Thunderbird that I was crazy about. A Midnight Blue, 1979 Ford Thunderbird Landau with all the bells and whistles. Rear window defogger, interment wipers, sun roof, tilt, cruise, AM/FM 8 track, dual outside sport mirrors, passenger illuminated makeup visor mirror, alloy wheels, (??351 maybe??) V - 8 engine and a color keyed Thunderbird hood ornament. This Thunderbird model/trim package was right underneath the Thunderbird Heritage/Diamond Jubilee Edition. I asked this Auntie several times 2 allow me 2 purchase the vehicle instead of trading it in when the time came 4 her 2 consider purchasing another vehicle. 1 night, while driving home from work, she lost control of the vehicle and the vehicle was totaled. She was bruised and banged but was expected 2B fine -- the T - Bird -- not so much. Her replacement vehicle -- a 1983 Army/Camo green colored, Subaru DL Sedan. Yikes!!! Three years ago, from an estate sale in the state of Iowa, I purchased a 1978 Ford Thunderbird Heritage. Not in the color that I wanted but I really like the look of that particular model. The state of Iowa means snow and high mileage vehicles. The T - Bird needed plenty of TLC from replacement components, 2 buffing out the bondo (rust issues) to powder coating the undercarriage -- hey -- this vehicle is not manufactured any more. And as 4 the retro (even the Neiman ~ Marcus Edition) 2003 Ford T - Bird -- once again -- YIKES!!! I'll be watching more of your videos -- Thankx 4 the memories!!!!

I had a '74 in the late 70's, triple dark green. Last Ford I ever owned. Great road car, but that 460 could suck some gas.

My first car was an 83 Thunderbird. metallic brown with tan interior. I loved that car. Unfortunately it was totaled in an accident, I was t-boned. I’d love to have another one.

I had an '81 T-Bird, loved it. But for styling, I prefer the '77-79 T-Bird. Sure it was a boat, but it was a beautiful, sleek boat :)

My first car was an ‘85 T-bird with a 3.8l V-6 and basically no options. Bought it from my mother, had always wished it was a 5.0l manual. Lots a good memories though!

My personal favorite would have to be the 1977-1979 generation......God that was a classy car.

I have owned 3 Thunderbirds in my life.... My fave car.... I know have a 2003. Loved them all!! I am a HUGE T-bird fan!!!

Still to this day my favorite car with my 1977 Thunderbird with a 351 V-8 was dark red with a black bottom.

I don’t think there is a better looking car out there than the 1987/88 Thunderbird turbo coupe. Thanks for your video !

My grandfather owned 4 of those a 50's model 2 60's models,70's and he just said nah in the 80's since cars were starting to go unibody by the time and just bought an f150 in the early 90's before he had stroke and couldn't drive anymore miss him love you grandfather wherever you are.

My dad always like the ‘87 to the end Thunderbirds. He said they were a style that would never look outdated. I have to agree with him. I saw one recently and it didn’t stick out as an old car.

My Mom had a 78 Bird , red with white trim, slot wheels, red vinyl split seats. Beautiful! My fav...

Currently own a 1983 Heritage 5.0L with 84,000 miles. Love these cars!

I had the 1987 Turbo Coupe, Blue. A fantastic looking and running car for it's time. However the clutch was a beast. Got smart=traded for a 1994 Camry LE.

I remember my Dad had to drive his Bosses 75 T-Bird from Kentucky to Miami, Florida. He said it felt like driving a cloud! Very Luxurious!

Gen 4 with the 390 cid engine was my favorite. As a teenager I owned a 1963 Galaxy with the 390 V8 and still have photos of that year motor vehicle. Thank you for a great video.

My fist car! 78 Tbird in 1990! A classic!

Had a 1989 Cougar XR7, which was the Mercury version of the Super Coupe. Only lasted 2 years before they canned it. Quick for its day, lots of torque, handled really well with the auto firming shocks. Fun to wind it up and pull 12 psi of boost

I had a 1970 in 1980 to 82. About the same time my friend up the street had a 62. We spent many weekends working on and driving them. My favorites are the 1971 and the 1979 but, even though they are low on the collectible list, I have not found any southern cars in any condition.

I had a '77 and I bought it used it was my favorite car I ever owned, man it was comfortable and on the turnpike made driving fun.

My father was a Ford dealer technician from '66 to '77, he came home with a beautiful '74 T-Bird in Sky Blue and matching vinyl top. It was a great luxury riding car, but also a heavy gas hog with a 460 needed to move it. Years later they replaced it with an Olds Cutlass with a 3.8 V6 and mom actually complained that it didn't have as much power LOL.

1977-79 was the best selling gen for the T-bird. 300k in 77, over 300k in 78 and almost 300k in 79.

Great video. I think my favorite has to be the 50's/ early 60s models. Cars looked so classy back then.

The first car that I drove as a 16 y.o. was a 1964 T-bird, burgundy with a white vinyl roof. My father worked for Ford and started leasing company cars in 1967. So I got to drive a lot of new cars, among them a 1977 emerald green Cougar, a 1978 T-bird (emerald green inside and out), a 1979 T-bird (which I hated because it came with a tiny engine), a 1980 T-bird (red with a white top), a 1981 dark blue Cougar, a 1982 white T-bird, a 1983 light blue T-bird with the turbo 4-cylinder (a real dog), and a 1985 dark blue Cougar. My favorite was the 1981 Cougar. Good times--I was lucky to be able to try so many new cars. Dad retired in 1986. His last lease car was a 1986 Lincoln coupe (very nice).

The 89-97 Gen is my favorite. Reasons for that is well when I was younger my dad had an 89 Cougar LS and my aunt had a 93 T-Bird LX. Both cars was around till the early 2000s and many years later when I finally started to learn how to drive my first car ended up being a 93 XR7 5.0 i miss that car.

I own a 1988 ford thunderbird turbo coupe which was my first car and is my favorite one

Thanks for this. I currently own a '66 Town Landau coupe with the Q code 428ci. Although it's wasn't a sales leader for the company, it's my favorite. My godfather drove a similar one, and I'm transported back to my youth everytime I drive it.

I had a 93 Thunderbird and was a great car.

The 10th generation (1989-97) was hands down the best!!!!! It came out the year I was born, & they were everywhere in the early/mid-90s. Also the styling was so sporty & aerodynamic. It was iconic as well, & I remember it being used in NASCAR for Ford. I especially remember the Citgo Ford Thunderbird. Bill Elliott, Morgan Shepherd, & I think Sterling Marlin too, all drove T-Birds.

Bought a 1969 T-Bird 4 dr in 1997 . Only had 38,000 miles on it and nearly every avaiable option including automatic temperature control which worked flawlessly .. Was burnt orange with cream vinyle roof and gold interior . Never winter driven and immaculate shape . Wish I would have kept it . Sold it back to the previous owner in 2001 and bought a 1981 Imperial . The 67>71 were my favorites .

I love this video. I had a 78 tbird when I was 16 and an 81 a few years later. Thanks for the blast from the past

10th gen. I had a 1995 model, with the 4.6L V8. Loved it, especially the "wrap-around" dashboard. It remains my favorite car and ultimately wish I had kept it, even if it would eventually need a new paint job.

Great video ! My favorite T Birds were the 7th generation from 75 to 79 .

My first car was a 1979 thunderbird white with a blue vinyl roof and a blue interior. Loved that gas guzzler.

The 1966, 4th generation, was my clear favorite. I was just a car nut kid with a neighbor who first had a 1965 T-Bird followed by a dark blue 1966 Bird. I think the ‘66 was changed from outstanding to perfection. As was the Ford tradition, in my mind, the last model before a major change was perfect. I am still searching for my own 1966 T-Bird. I think the time in my life is just about right.

The last Thunder Chicken with a frame before they went with early Iacocca design fox body platform. 115 in wheel base believe it or not lol! When I was 15, me and dad put a 66 Ford short bed fleet side bed on that frame, the rear axle arch wouldn't clear the bed so we had to cut a section out of the bed floor to fit the bed, floor had rust anyway.after a lot of blood, sweat and cussing, we achieved it. That actually being a much lighter body, stiffened that suspension up without raising it too much, and the 400 modified like that lighter weight better. I remember we wanted to use that column and the box is located by the firewall and about 5ish inches to the right, we didn't halfass rig it, my dad was a prof welder so we used properly aligned and welded a double knuckle joint from an earlier Ford Escort. It worked great without binding, this just touched me, I miss you dad, R.I.P.

My first car was a 1977 T-bird white and maroon trim. I bought it for $400 in 1991. It had more oil on it than in it, and I used my mom‘s cutting board as a floorboard in the backseat because it was all rusted out. I grew up on the East Coast and they use a lot of salt in the winter time. Amazing how times have changed.

I had a gen 5 1967 two door. 390 4 barrel. Loved that classy car.

My first car was a 1986 3.8 liter fox body it was painted dark red man I loved that car so much that I bought a 97 t bird with the same motor. I'll love Ford's Thunderbird forever!

I was in love with the TC and SC! My Dad had a 78, and I remember being a little kid and wondering why his car was so big with only two doors! LOL!

Found a 88 turbo coupe for 4k. Fancy fox 😍

I had a 96 and a 97 t- bird both with the 4.6 V8 I absolutely loved those cars.. and my brother at the same time had a 95 super coupe with the 5 speed, back then that was the bird to have. I also liked the new retro style.

I loved my 88 TC. It had a great 5-speed and the previous owner installed a larger turbo, but the stock turbo had a nice smooth power curve.

My dad had a ‘72 T-Bird when I was a baby. Never forgot the S bars on the sides!

I loved my triple blue ‘79 Bird with its 302

I had a 1965 T-Bird which was a lot of fun to drive. Now I'm barreling down the road in a 1991 Town Car and it's a joy to drive. I'm looking forward to your featuring the Town Car in a future video. 😎

The 1973 Thunderbird. Proved that too much is never enough until the first oil shortage that started the move to smaller cars. In the first shortage oil tankers circled off the US coast until gas prices went up before they unloaded their cargo to refineries.

I miss this kind of car. They are a super smooth riders.

Currently own and am restoring a black 78. It's my first car and we share a love-hate relationship. Love the video and it's always great to learn some history on one of my favorite cars!

I really like the little birds.I owned a ‘55 baby bird with stick it was fun to drive and was good looking

I love those 70's Thunderbirds.

The Thunderbird SC I had one right after I joined the Army in 1995 it was my first new car

Always loved a Thunderbird. I recall my aunt driving a beautiful, black 4 door Thunderbird for a few years. My grandfather was a Ford exec for his whole career. He always drove Continentals in the 60’s, and Mark series in the 70’s. The year before he retired in 1976, he ordered a beautiful dark green Thunderbird. I think he should have bought his lease that year, but didn’t. The following year in 77, my parents really wanted a new Cougar. Instead of the XR7, they ordered the new 4 door Cougar Brougham. The let me pick the color, dark brown with wire caps. Little did we know it would become a rare car. People always admired that Cougar. My husband always wished for the last Thunderbird, but even used they were always expensive. I never knew about the James Bond edition. You learn something new every day.