Factory Sunroof: 1970 Ford Thunderbird Landau
It is sometimes challenging to determine the rarity of a particular vehicle option, and such is the case with this 1970 Ford Thunderbird Landau. It presents pretty well for a survivor-grade classic, but its electric sunroof raises questions. Pinning down exact numbers seems impossible, with various sources quoting figures between 200 and 500 cars receiving this feature in 1970. Considering how many T-Birds rolled off the line that year, it makes it pretty rare. It recently underwent some mechanical maintenance, ready to find a new home. The seller has listed the car on behalf of its owner here on eBay in Lyons, Illinois. Bidding has raced past the reserve, currently sitting at $6,919.
Ford introduced its Fifth Generation Thunderbird for the 1967 model year, subscribing to the “bigger is better” philosophy. It was the largest vehicle to wear the badge and bore little resemblance to the original that hit showroom floors a little over a decade earlier. The styling was considered clean and relatively conservative, but that changed dramatically by the time this Landau rolled off the line. Ford’s President, Semon “Bunkie” Knudsen, took a hand in the cosmetic refresh that hit the market in 1970. His contribution was the protruding center section of the nose, which received the nickname “Bunkie’s Beak.” The appearance divided opinions then and continues to do so today. The original owner ordered this classic in Bronze Fire Metallic with a contrasting White “Snakeskin” vinyl top. It makes a positive first impression, although the seller emphasizes it isn’t perfect. The paint has the typical imperfections expected after five decades of active service, and the panels sport a couple of minor bumps and bruises. The worst is in the passenger-side rear quarter panel, and I would consult a paintless dent company before handing it to a shop. They might achieve a decent result that won’t compromise the car’s originality. There are no rust issues to concern potential buyers, while the glass and trim are excellent for their age. This Thunderbird’s party piece might be its electric sliding sunroof. Ford introduced this feature as a regular option in 1969, with cars shipped to ASC for the work rather than Ford undertaking the installation at the factory. It was an expensive feature, costing buyers $375. That doesn’t sound like much, but it equates to around $3,000 today. The seller doesn’t mention any issues with this item or its seals. It operates as it should, and the lack of water damage to the interior suggests there are no leaks.
Ford didn’t mess around when determining the mechanical specifications for the 1970 Thunderbird. Its engine bay houses the 429ci “Thunder Jet” V8, which produces 360hp and 480 ft/lbs of torque. Shifting duties fall to a three-speed automatic transmission, while the inclusion of power assistance for the steering and brakes is unsurprising. The power and torque figures are pretty impressive, but with a curb weight of 4,552 lbs, the T-Bird needed every pony it could muster to provide respectable performance. The combination of weight and engine size brings one penalty that virtually rules out a ’70 Thunderbird as a daily driver. This car will undoubtedly drink like a fish, with many owners reporting consumption figures of 8mpg as pretty typical. The seller confirms that this Fod underwent some significant recent mechanical work. It received a new timing chain and gears, a water pump, a fuel pump, plugs and wires, mufflers, and a carburetor rebuild. They recommend replacing the aging tires before the new owner undertakes any extended journeys, but the car is otherwise ready to hit the road for some motoring fun.
The “tidy survivor” theme continues inside this Thunderbird, with its trim and upholstery looking excellent for its age. There are no rips or tears, while physical wear appears minimal. The dash is tidy, and there are no pad cracks. The overall impression is positive, and the only weaknesses are minor carpet fading and a crack in the wheel rim. It isn’t well-equipped by modern standards, but the air conditioning, power windows, power locks, AM/FM stereo radio, remote driver’s mirror, and rear defogger were welcome features in 1970.
Ford sold 77,976 Thunderbirds in 1967, as the new generation struck a chord with buyers. However, sales volumes plummeted by over 33% to 50,364 when our feature car rolled off the line. The situation didn’t improve until the Sixth Generation hit showroom floors in 1972. This Thunderbird Landau is an honest car, and it is easy to understand why it has attracted seventeen bids. It remains affordable, and with values taking a recent hit, it may struggle to top $10,000 before the hammer falls. If that is the case, it represents a lot of steel for the price, and the new owner is guaranteed to turn heads whenever they hit the streets in this gentle giant. If you have been searching for a classic with luxury leanings, would this one make your shortlist?
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Comments
This generation of T-Birds probably isn’t ever going to be particularly valuable. Still, they do have some attraction, including this example. Sleek styling, the Bunkie Beak notwithstanding. Nicely trimmed inside which illustrates that not all interiors need to be black. Plenty of power makes cruising easy. Has had recent maintenance. Like Adam says, won’t see yourself coming and going. All this for not much money.
I believe a “Personalized Statistics Report” as part of a Marti Report would determine how many electric sunroof cars were produced.
They use to say that old MOPARS were worthless also….lol
Nice car apparently well priced. But the sun roof could be a costly issue. My 83 Grand Marquis sun roof developed a leak after several years. Repairing it at that time was costly. If new seals are needed, it could be difficult to find them.
Bumpers are tucked in nice right from the factory.
This is a fabulous car. The leak in the sunroof is likely the rubber tubes that run from the four corners down through the body and out the bottom of the car are clogged with 50 plus years of leaves and gunk. When it rains the water not being able to escape flows over into the car. Seals could be worn but are easily replaced with current units. I think this car is great and it had a great driveline.
Seeing this makes me realize how much I like these birds. If the price stays under 10k somebody’s getting a great deal.
Nice old T-Bird. Those wheel covers seemed to be styled after the Toronado’s of the same vintage
I smell a mixture of brute’ 33, aqua velva and cigar…if your dad had one of these, you may have siblings you haven’t met.
Certainly rare and looks clean, but the ’69-’70 Pontiac Grand Prix pulled off the prominent nose theme so much better…and was also offered with an electric sunroof option for ’70.
Widely criticized at the time as “The best Grand Prix Ford ever made!”, these have grown on me over time (I can hear Curly Howard’s reply in my head now: “So do warts! Nyuk, Nyuk, Nyuk!”). The so-called “Glamour Birds” of 1967-71 don’t get the love of other versions, but I find them to be capable, if thirsty cruisers. These became the basis of Ford’s personal luxury coupes, and starting in 1972, they shared their underpinnings with the Lincoln Mark IV, except the Lincoln got the top dog 460 V8, while the T-Bird “made do” with the 429, befitting the Lincoln’s higher price point.
This one has the optional bucket seats and console in addition to the sunroof. The bucket seats were standard equipment until 1968, when the front bench seat was made standard equipment, with a split bench seat as the middle option choice in addition to the bucket seats.
Sportsroof T-Bird with the optional console and sunroof has to be low production car. Owner would be wise to acquire a Marti report. I like “Bunkies Beak,” especially the 70′ grille.
I’m partial to the ’67 version myself, with the hide away headlights. The ’68 got the ugly side marker lights, a.k.a. “Nader Eyes”, and lost the bucket seats. The ’69 lost the side windows for the rear seat passengers, and had that ugly chrome panel between the taillights, but was the first year for the sunroof option. Like I said, the “Bunkie Beak” has grown on me, and the return of the full-width tail lights that disappeared in 1969 was a definite plus. The 1968 was the last year for the FE block motors, as the 390 as the base motor and the 428 Thunderjet as the optional upgrade mill went away in ’69, as the “385” series 429 big-block V8 became the only engine choice until the T-Bird got the Mark IV’s 460 in 1975.
That is one fine automobile. I’ll bet that thing is a dream on a road trip.
Big block power, optioned to the hilt is always a winning combination. The opera back seat takes it to another level. The compass brutally screwed into the dash is a nice period touch.
I had a ’70 BigBird 429 for several years, one of my favorite cars. I don’t recall ever getting single digit gas mileage out of it even when towing a 1500 (apx.) pound boat and trailer.
I liked it so well that many years later I bought a ’67 429 Fordor to haul my pals with.
can’t you just use rubber tubing carefully with silicone for the roof??
How many tailight bulbs on the back!, & how many sequentially blink?
Could 1 get a floor shift, manual trans, reclining seats, tachometer, crank windows, or Ford racing mirrors?
Typically four (4) on each side, and they sequence four (4) at a time. Four for each turn signal, so four flash to the left on the left side for a left turn, and ditto on the right side. No manual transmission, tachometer or racing mirrors were available from the factory for T-Birds, as T-Birds were “personal luxury coupes”, and far too refined for such nonsense! A chrome RH mirror was optional, until the Feds mandated dual outside mirrors sometime in the eighties. Power windows were optional, the base cars came through with crank windows. On the other hand, reclining seats were optional, either as bucket seats or in a split bench seat starting in 1968. Bucket seats only before 1968, but a reclining option was available, often combined with the optional power seats.
Mom’s ’67 T-Bird was a “stripper”, no A/C, crank windows, manual door locks, manual seats and an AM radio only.
Today’s younger drivers would “love” your mom’s stripper bird, especially if it was a TWO door. & they would also love the “climate controls” to the LEFT of the driver. To me, it’s silly Ford did not put them at the top of the center console(as is silly that chevy moved them to the left of the driver on the 2nd gen camaro).
I am praying fervently that the above bird for sale gets proper size new tires, tho i have my fears that it will sooner or later get huge wheels & ridiculous 18 or larger inch low profile tires, ruining the ride(except maybe over florida’s glass smooth roads).
If you got a ticket in a very small town for 1 of the 8 (or is it 10!) total brake or even tailights burnt out, you’d best never drive thru THERE again! lol
I always thought it was odd seeing Ford racing mirrors on a Granada that also had a hood ornament!!
With an unprotected beak like on the ’70, it would be best to avoid parking on the street or in a lot where another car faces your T-bird.
I guess it’s possible to get the mpg into the double digits with modern radial tires &, gasp, with a change to HEI & quadrajet carb & a light right foot. Certainly an overdrive auto trans will help – if there is one that will fit behind & can tolerate the 429.
P.S. No floor shifter until the 1990’s either! Again, a floor shifter is far too crude for such a “refined” Gentleman’s Express!
Yes, JoeNYWF64, Mom’s was a two-door, in that maroon color that was so popular on all mid-60’s Fords at the time, with a black interior. Oh, and BTW, when I said “stripper”, I meant it, as it didn’t even have a vinyl roof! Painted roof cars were “Tudors” in Ford-speak, vinyl roofed cars were “Tudor Landau’s” in Ford’s marketing mind. Four-door T-Birds were “Fordor Landau’s”, and four-door T-Birds only came with a vinyl roof, there were no “Fordor” T-Birds, with a painted roof. The Landau cars got faux Chrome Landau Bars on the “C-Pillar” behind the door, between 1967 and ’69, Tudor cars got a Thunderbird badge with a body-colored insert inside the badge, so if the badge color doesn’t match the rest of the car, that’s a clue that the car has been repainted.
50,364 birds in ’70 is still impressive, compared to the TOTAL # of trans ams built from 1969-1974!
I’m not sure if it was the C6 A/T, or the Cruise-o-matic A/T, but certain mid-60’s Fords offered a four-speed A/T. There was a selection on the shift quadrant, located by a green dot, called “Drive 1”, then in descending order, located by white dots on the shift quadrant were: “Drive”, “2”, and “1”. “Park”, Reverse and Neutral preceded Drive 1 on the shift quadrant. I don’t know if Mom’s ’67 T-Bird had the four-speed automatic, but my Dad’s ’66 Galaxie 500 did!