Ford Thunderbird 1978 Diamond Jubilee Edition Blue Luxury Cruiser 351 cid V8

For sale is this stunning 1978 Ford Thunderbird. This cool cruiser is the designer series 'Diamond Jubilee.' These Thunderbirds were made to be a cut above the rest. a healthy 351M, or 'Modified,' and backed up to a smooth shifting 3-speed automatic, this T-bird is all set to cruise in style. The Diamond Jubilee was Fords way of celebrating their 75th anniversary. The Diamond Blue paint was the exclusive color for this option, along with the matching Blue interior. A few personal touches could be made by the original purchased, including a 22k gold nameplate, (present) as well as the owners initials laid into the pinstriping on the doors. This personal luxury cruiser is plush in all the right ways, and more than capable of tending to your every need while exploring the open road. Options include: Air-Conditioning, AM/FM/8-track, Cruise Control, Power Brakes, Power Steering, Power Locks, Power Seats, Tilt Wheel, Seat Belts, Cloth Interior, White Wall Radial Tires, and Alloy Wheels.

This heavily optioned, all original un-restored Thunderbird, is one of the very first production units of this limited special edition model.

ABOUT THIS CAR:

VIN 8G87H136172 Passenger

8 - 1978 Model

G - Chicago Assembly Plant

87 - 2-door hardtop

H = 351 cubic inch, 2V, V-8 (1977 through 1979)

136172 - positions #6 through #11 are the Consecutive Unit Number. Consecutive Unit Numbers begin at 100001 at each Ford Motor Company assembly plant. This number represents the scheduled sequence order. When a car was ordered, it was assigned a VIN with a ConsecutiveUnit Number. It was then assigned a scheduled production date.

Model 87/Style 60H Diamond Jubilee Edition $10,106

Weight: 4,200 Built: 18,994

Production Date: Date 10/77

GVWR 5791

GAWR Front:2945 Rear: 2896

F0079/R0103

History of the Ford Thunderbird:

The Ford Thunderbird is an American automotive icon first introduced in 1955. Lewis D. Crusoe, Frank Hershey, and George Walker are considered the creators of the Thunderbird. Crusoe was a retired GM executive; Hershey was a designer for Ford; and Walker was the chief stylist for Ford. While Crusoe and Walker were in Paris, they saw a sports car and were instantly inspired. They convinced Hershey to create designs and the result was an open car with room for two passengers. As with all cars, deciding upon a suitable name is difficult. There were well over 5000 suggestions, with the one submitted by Alden Giberson behind selected.

The Thunderbird was created as a 'personal luxury' car and even to the current production version, has never been designed as a sports car. Instead of fiberglass, the Thunderbird was constructed of metal. Instead of six cylinder engines, Ford upped-the-ante with a V8. To keep cost and development at a minimum, it used as many parts as possible from the other Fords of that era. The result was a two-seater with many creature comforts and impressive styling. Manual and automatic transmissions were both available. The instrument panel was home to a tachometer, clock and a 150 mph speedometer. The suspension was comprised of a ball-join in the front, offering a plush ride.

Background of this Special Limited Edition Model:

The1977 Thunderbird, beginning the seventh generation of the Ford Thunderbird (1977-1979) was just right for the slightly anxious buyer seeking comfort without the bank breaking 460 V8 engine. Instead a 302 was the base engine with optional 351 Windsor and 400 Modified V8s to fill the range. Weight was downfrom 4,808 lbs to a more sensible 4,104 lbs. Underthe sheet metal was a shortened,stout frame capable of handling the Cruise-o-matic transmission and 9 inch axle with a loaded V8.

The 1978 model year was mostly unchanged, though a Diamond Jubilee decor package was available for nearly $4,700 more than a standard ’Bird, and a 400-cid,166-hp V-8 became available. The Diamond Jubilee Edition provided even more standard features and unique touches not available on other T-birds. Built to commemorate Ford Motor Company's 75th Anniversary, the Diamond Jubilee Edition was offered initially in just two monochromatic color combinations, although additional colors were made available late in the model year, but are rarely seen today.

This option package escalated the price of the car to almost US$12,000, virtually doubling the base price; it included every option except a moonroof and an engine block heater. It was originally available in only two colors- Diamond Jubilee exclusive "diamond blue" metallic, or "standard issue" ember metallic; both with matching velour cloth seats with a "biscuit" design.

The Diamond Jubilee Edition was the best equipped, most luxurious Thunderbird ever, and the ultimate Thunderbird for 1978. The list of standard features is provided below, and rivals that of any luxury car in 1978, regardless of make, model, or cost. In fact, the list was so complete that there were initially just 6 options available. (Later, with the introduction of leather seating surfaces, 7 were available).

(Ford built just one other car to celebrate its anniversary in 1978, and that was the Continental Mark V Diamond Jubilee Edition.)

1978 would set a new Thunderbird sales record for the second time in as many years, and there's no doubt that the Diamond Jubilee Edition cars contributed to the strong sales. Today, these cars are still highly revered among collectors, and many original examples in good condition still exist. The engine, drive train, electrical, and body parts are in good supply, which makes these cars very restorable today.

DIAMOND JUBILEE EDITION STANDARD FEATURES:

5.0 Litre (302 CID) 2V V-8 Engine*

DuraSpark Ignition System

Select Shift Automatic Transmission

Formal Padded Valino-Grain Vinyl Roof

Opera Windows with Diamond Jubilee Edition Script

Wide Color-Keyed Vinyl-Insert Bodyside Moldings

Partial Wheel Lip Moldings

Hand Stitched Leather Covered Instrument Panel Pad

36 Ounce Interior Carpeting

22K Gold Finish Owner Nameplate

Seat Belt Reminder Chime

Color-Keyed Pinstriping

Owner's Personalized Initials on Doors

Deluxe Bumper Group with Color-Keyed Front and Rear Bumper Rub Strips

Color-Keyed Cast Aluminum Wheels

Color-Keyed Grille Texture

Color-Keyed Jewel-Like Hood Ornament

Biscuit Sew Style Luxury Cloth Split Bench Seats

Thunderbird Ornamentation on Upper Seat Bolsters

Luxury Cloth Headlining

Color-Keyed Luggage Compartment Trim with Deck Lid Liner

Power Windows

6-Way Power Driver's Seat

Manual Passenger Side Recliner

Power Lock Group (Power Door Locks and Electric Deck Lid Release)

Illuminated Entry System

Driver and Passenger Illuminated Visor Vanity Mirrors

Front Seatback and Door Panel Assist Straps

Sports Instrumentation Cluster

Leather Wrapped Luxury Steering Wheel

Ebony Woodtone Interior Appliques

White Sidewall Radial Tires

AM/FM Stereo Search Radio

Power Antenna

Dual Remote Control Sport Mirrors

Unique Car Keys with Ebony Woodtone Accents

Front Cornering Lamps

Luxury Sound Insulation Package

SelectAire Conditioner (Manual control)

Tinted Glass

Interior Luxury Group—includes:

Convenience Group(left and right-hand remote control mirrors,

Interval Windshield Wipers, Automatic Parking Brake Release,

and Trip Odometer

Light Group(Dual Beam Map Lights, Lights under instrument panel,

in glove compartment, ash tray, trunk and engine compartments,

"Door Ajar" light in instrument cluster, "Headlights On" Warning Buzzer)

Tilt Steering Wheel

*6.6 Litre (400 CID) 2V V-8 Engine mandatory in California, with California Emission Equipment

This deluxe edition, very hard-to-find car is looking for that special collector, or that appreciator of one of the last great passenger car engines, or that admirer of all things luxurious AND comfortable —- will that be YOU?

Serious inquiries welcomed. Ready to negotiate!

UPDATE: Car was brought out for ad photos. While waiting to bebe re-garaged, somebody keyed it. I have added pictures of before, and after, the damage.