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Ford Thunderbird Archive
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![In 1961, Oldsmobile added a sporty Starfire convertible with bucket seats, aimed squarely at the Ford Thunderbird. A year later, they added a hardtop Starfire Coupe. As if that wasn’t […]](https://www.curbsideclassic.com/cdn-cgi/image/quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/1963-Oldsmobile-98-Custom-Sports-Coupe-Provincial-White-RM-Auctions-right-side-and-buckets-left-115x115.webp "1963 Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight Custom Sports Coupe: A Bucket Seat Thunderbird-Fighter In Size XXL")
1963 Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight Custom Sports Coupe: A Bucket Seat Thunderbird-Fighter In Size XXL
Posted on September 28, 2026 | 22 CommentsIn 1961, Oldsmobile added a sporty Starfire convertible with bucket seats, aimed squarely at the Ford Thunderbird. A year later, they added a hardtop Starfire Coupe. As if that wasn’t […] -
![Although they have a following today, the bigger Buick and Oldsmobile C-body versions of GM’s 1961 “bubbletop” two-door hardtop body style weren’t very popular at the time, and by 1962, […]](https://www.curbsideclassic.com/cdn-cgi/image/quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/1962-and-1961-Oldsmobile-98-Holiday-Coupes-side-right-merged-labeled-115x115.webp "1962 Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight Holiday Coupe: A Sharper-Edged Roof Squares Off The Bubbletop")
1962 Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight Holiday Coupe: A Sharper-Edged Roof Squares Off The Bubbletop
Posted on July 9, 2026 | 22 CommentsAlthough they have a following today, the bigger Buick and Oldsmobile C-body versions of GM’s 1961 “bubbletop” two-door hardtop body style weren’t very popular at the time, and by 1962, […] -
![In May 1968, Ford Motor Company announced that it would shortly offer an electronic anti-skid brake system to automatically prevent a car’s rear wheels from locking in a sudden stop. […]](https://www.curbsideclassic.com/cdn-cgi/image/quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/1969-Lincoln-Continental-Mark-III-White-Raleigh-Classic-Car-Auctions-front-3q-right-insets-1-115x115.webp "1969–1979 Ford–Kelsey-Hayes Sure-Track Brake System: Detroit’s First Antilock Brakes")
1969–1979 Ford–Kelsey-Hayes Sure-Track Brake System: Detroit’s First Antilock Brakes
Posted on May 29, 2026 | 14 CommentsIn May 1968, Ford Motor Company announced that it would shortly offer an electronic anti-skid brake system to automatically prevent a car’s rear wheels from locking in a sudden stop. […] -
![The early ’80s were a rough time for the Ford Thunderbird. Moved to the compact Fox platform for 1980, the final “Malaise Era” T-Bird was smaller and more efficient than […]](https://www.curbsideclassic.com/cdn-cgi/image/quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/1982-Ford-Thunderbird-Heritage-Polar-White-Bring-a-Trailer-2-front-3q-right-high-115x115.webp "1982 Ford Thunderbird Heritage Edition: The T-Bird Reaches Maximum Malaise Just Before The Dawn")
1982 Ford Thunderbird Heritage Edition: The T-Bird Reaches Maximum Malaise Just Before The Dawn
Posted on May 3, 2026 | 39 CommentsThe early ’80s were a rough time for the Ford Thunderbird. Moved to the compact Fox platform for 1980, the final “Malaise Era” T-Bird was smaller and more efficient than […] -
![The 1964–1966 Ford Thunderbird, known today as the “Flair Bird,” was one of the most dramatically styled cars of its time, but what really made it stand out was its […]](https://www.curbsideclassic.com/cdn-cgi/image/quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/1966-Ford-Thunderbird-convert-Raven-Black-Bring-a-Trailer-121-front-right-with-dash-inset-115x115.webp "1966 Ford Thunderbird: Dream Car With A Space Age Interior To Let Your Inner Child Take Flight")
1966 Ford Thunderbird: Dream Car With A Space Age Interior To Let Your Inner Child Take Flight
Posted on April 8, 2026 | 27 CommentsThe 1964–1966 Ford Thunderbird, known today as the “Flair Bird,” was one of the most dramatically styled cars of its time, but what really made it stand out was its […] -
![If the 1950s were the age of chrome, the 1970s were the age of overpowering color coordination. Color-keyed interior and exterior trim wasn’t new for American cars, but ’70s Detroit […]](https://www.curbsideclassic.com/cdn-cgi/image/quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/1979-Ford-Thunderbird-Heritage-Edition-Light-Medium-Blue-and-Maroon-Orlando-Classic-Cars-stacked-115x115.webp "1979 Ford Thunderbird Heritage Edition: These Popular Special Edition T-Birds Took Color Coordination To Extremes")
1979 Ford Thunderbird Heritage Edition: These Popular Special Edition T-Birds Took Color Coordination To Extremes
Posted on February 25, 2026 | 27 CommentsIf the 1950s were the age of chrome, the 1970s were the age of overpowering color coordination. Color-keyed interior and exterior trim wasn’t new for American cars, but ’70s Detroit […] -
1986 Ford Thunderbird Turbo Coupe: 200 MPH Standing Still
Posted on January 15, 2026 | 12 CommentsThis sanitary 1986 Ford Thunderbird Turbo Coupe may appear ready for a spirited jaunt through the countryside, but it makes me think of one thing: 9000 RPM clutch dumps. -
![Between 1970 and 1979, almost 38.1 million American cars — over 40 percent of all domestic production — were built with padded vinyl tops. As vinyl roofs became more and […]](https://www.curbsideclassic.com/cdn-cgi/image/quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Vinyl-roof-composite-AMX-Mustang-Grande-De-Ville-Thunderbird-115x115.webp "Vinyl Top Styles Of The 1970s: Landau Tops, Canopy Tops, Carriage Roofs, And More")
Vinyl Top Styles Of The 1970s: Landau Tops, Canopy Tops, Carriage Roofs, And More
Posted on September 13, 2025 | 24 CommentsBetween 1970 and 1979, almost 38.1 million American cars — over 40 percent of all domestic production — were built with padded vinyl tops. As vinyl roofs became more and […] -
![Vinyl roof coverings were incredibly popular on American cars of the ’70s, offered in a bewildering variety of styles and a whole range of colors. Here are some of the […]](https://www.curbsideclassic.com/cdn-cgi/image/quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/1970s-vinyl-roof-composite-1974-Olds-98-Regency-2HT-1972-Ford-Thunderbird-Landau-1974-Mark-V-1978-NewYorker-115x115.webp "Most Colorful Vinyl Roofs Of The 1970s: Dramatic Two-Tone Effects In Contrasting Colors")
Most Colorful Vinyl Roofs Of The 1970s: Dramatic Two-Tone Effects In Contrasting Colors
Posted on September 7, 2025 | 34 CommentsVinyl roof coverings were incredibly popular on American cars of the ’70s, offered in a bewildering variety of styles and a whole range of colors. Here are some of the […] -
![It is generally accepted that General Motors was the long-reigning king of automotive styling. Names like Harley Earl and Bill Mitchell are well known for the long stream of attractive […]](https://www.curbsideclassic.com/cdn-cgi/image/quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/1957FordThunderbird08.jpg "Curbside Classic: 1957 Ford Thunderbird – The Most Perfectly Styled American Car Of The 1950s?")
Curbside Classic: 1957 Ford Thunderbird – The Most Perfectly Styled American Car Of The 1950s?
Posted on July 31, 2025 | 13 CommentsIt is generally accepted that General Motors was the long-reigning king of automotive styling. Names like Harley Earl and Bill Mitchell are well known for the long stream of attractive […] -
![How did the Ford Thunderbird stack up against its personal luxury competition in 1968? Ford Division tackled that question in this intriguing 1968 booklet for Ford salespeople, which highlighted the […]](https://www.curbsideclassic.com/cdn-cgi/image/quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/1968-Thunderbird-vs-Major-Competition-0.webp "1968 Ford Thunderbird Versus Rivals – How Ford Ranked The T-Bird’s Competition")
1968 Ford Thunderbird Versus Rivals – How Ford Ranked The T-Bird’s Competition
Posted on July 3, 2025 | 25 CommentsHow did the Ford Thunderbird stack up against its personal luxury competition in 1968? Ford Division tackled that question in this intriguing 1968 booklet for Ford salespeople, which highlighted the […] -
![The four-seat Ford Thunderbird was a highly profitable hit that struck deep in the over-$4,000 price territory occupied by mid-price brands like Oldsmobile and Buick. Oldsmobile tried to fight […]](https://www.curbsideclassic.com/cdn-cgi/image/quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/1962-Oldsmobile-Starfire-Coupe-Wedgewood-Mist-ClassicCars.com-front-3q-right.webp "1962 Oldsmobile Starfire Coupe Vs. 1962 Oldsmobile Dynamic 88 Holiday Coupe – Thunderbird-Fighter Or Just A Fancier Olds?")
1962 Oldsmobile Starfire Coupe Vs. 1962 Oldsmobile Dynamic 88 Holiday Coupe – Thunderbird-Fighter Or Just A Fancier Olds?
Posted on April 24, 2025 | 27 CommentsThe four-seat Ford Thunderbird was a highly profitable hit that struck deep in the over-$4,000 price territory occupied by mid-price brands like Oldsmobile and Buick. Oldsmobile tried to fight […] -
![It’s no secret that by the mid-1960s, most car magazines had long since decided that the Ford Thunderbird wasn’t their kind of car. In February 1969, however, Car Life […]](https://www.curbsideclassic.com/cdn-cgi/image/quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/1969-Ford-Thunderbird-2dr-Landau-Mecum-Auctions-front.webp "Vintage Car Life Review: 1969 Ford Thunderbird Landau – “It’s Better Than My Living Room”")
Vintage Car Life Review: 1969 Ford Thunderbird Landau – “It’s Better Than My Living Room”
Posted on March 29, 2025 | 20 CommentsIt’s no secret that by the mid-1960s, most car magazines had long since decided that the Ford Thunderbird wasn’t their kind of car. In February 1969, however, Car Life […] -
![GM’s big personal luxury coupes were all-new for 1971, debuting a bigger, squarer Oldsmobile Toronado and the controversial new “boat tail” Buick Riviera. How did they stack up against the […]](https://www.curbsideclassic.com/cdn-cgi/image/quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Motor-Trend-1970-12-Almost-a-Limousine-featured.webp "Vintage M/T Comparison: 1971 Buick Riviera Vs. Oldsmobile Toronado Vs. Ford Thunderbird – “Almost A Limousine”")
Vintage M/T Comparison: 1971 Buick Riviera Vs. Oldsmobile Toronado Vs. Ford Thunderbird – “Almost A Limousine”
Posted on March 2, 2025 | 25 CommentsGM’s big personal luxury coupes were all-new for 1971, debuting a bigger, squarer Oldsmobile Toronado and the controversial new “boat tail” Buick Riviera. How did they stack up against the […] -
![If you’re a connoisseur of personal luxury cars or ’70s land yachts, you’re probably familiar with the various designer editions, which bore the names of famous designers like Emilio Pucci […]](https://www.curbsideclassic.com/cdn-cgi/image/quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/1976-Lincoln-Continental-Mark-IV-Lipstick-Mecum-Auctions-side-right-115x115.webp "Automotive History: 1975–1976 Lincoln Continental Mark IV Lipstick Edition – A Designer Edition Without The Designer Name")
Automotive History: 1975–1976 Lincoln Continental Mark IV Lipstick Edition – A Designer Edition Without The Designer Name
Posted on February 23, 2025 | 27 CommentsIf you’re a connoisseur of personal luxury cars or ’70s land yachts, you’re probably familiar with the various designer editions, which bore the names of famous designers like Emilio Pucci […]
