Three Months Gone: 1973 Ford Thunderbird – SOLD!

April 19, 2021 – We just confirmed with Elliott, the current caretaker, via text that his T-Bird is now sold!

April 9, 2021 Update – In early March, Elliot, the current caretaker of this Big Bird Era ’73 Thunderbird, commented below when he came across his very own car while researching revised pricing on what to offer his car for.  We reached directly to Elliot by phone and had a great conversation with this fine young man, who at under 20 years of age, is a rare enthusiast of what is typically Baby Boomer territory.  He indicated the purchase of this Thunderbird was actually part of a package deal for another car.

January 17, 2021 Update – we just noticed the listing “Classifind” expired, so with no replacement found we’re assuming this ride “Sold?”

Big Bird.  That’s the nickname Ford Thunderbird enthusiasts apply to the sixth generation version produced between 1972 and 1976.  They call it that for good reason:  With a 120.4-inch wheelbase, an overall length of 214 inches, and a curb weight of over 4,800 pounds when equipped with a 460 cubic inch V8, it was the largest Thunderbird ever produced by Ford, sharing the assembly line with the Lincoln Continental Mark IV. Despite offering two of the largest displacement V8 engines ever installed in a production vehicle by Ford, the sixth generation Thunderbird’s heft, combined with decreasing emissions-controlled restrictive power output, resulted in modest performance and horrific fuel economy.

An all-green, low-mileage example reappeared near New Rochelle, New York, in April 2021 for a revised price of $8,000.  Originally offered at $9,000, the Collector Car Market Review Online Tool confirms the ask currently falls between this guide’s #2 “Very Good” estimate of $7,700 and its #1 “Excellent” appraisal of $12,300. Using the Hagerty Insurance Online Valuation Tool as a second data point confirms the private seller has their Big Bird priced between this guide’s #3 “Good” estimate of $8,400, and its #2 “Excellent” appraisal of $12,100.

With only 53K original miles and the optional 460 cubic inch V8 (a 429 version came standard), this Thunderbird also features the unique combination of color-matched vinyl top and wheel covers. While this ’73 features the clunkier five-mile-per-hour bumper upfront, this was the final year of the nicely integrated wall-to-wall bumper-mounted tail light assembly. Unfortunately, the seller does not provide any pictures of the interior, so we hope the low mileage confirms the interior to be in like-new condition during your in-person inspection.  This is another prime candidate for Preservation Class judging in Antique Automobile Club of America (“AACA”) Events.

Here’s the seller’s description:

“Hi, I am offering my all-original 1973 thunderbird. The car is completely original with all factory stickers. The car has 53,000 miles. The car has a Ford 460 v8, paired with an automatic transmission. Runs beautifully. The exterior is triple green an extremely rare package. The car has zero rust.”

Show or go: what would you do with this low-mileage Thunderbird?  Comment below and let us know!