The Petersen Museum in Los Angeles hosts a collection of unique vehicles, keeping them in pristine shape for automotive enthusiasts and history buffs alike. One such vehicle is the one millionth Ford Thunderbird to have ever been built, and it’s still in excellent condition – especially considering its age.
This special Ford Thunderbird rolled off the assembly line in 1972. It was owned by Bob Petersen himself for 36 years before it was donated to the museum’s collection in 2022, where it has lived ever since. It’s finished in a special gold color and bears several medallions and other adornments to commemorate its milestone build. While early Thunderbirds were short, two-seater machines, in the early 1970s, Ford switched gears and turned the Thunderbird into a verifiable land yacht. At its core, the T-bird was a “Lincoln with Ford badges.”
This Ford Thunderbird was well-used in its life, but the Peterson Museum values “original over restored.” Its age is particularly evident in its white vinyl top, which is a bit stained, but it lends character to the low-slung vehicle. It’s also extremely long, featuring crushable bumpers to help keep passengers safe, and eagle-eyed observers might notice the subtle gold touches in the grille and badging.
The Ford Thunderbird’s personality is extremely evident in its interior, too. Its front captain’s chairs resemble office chairs more than vehicle seats. It was about as luxurious as you could get without opting for a Lincoln, featuring leather seating surfaces, power adjustable seats, and power windows. It also features cruise control, operated by a switch on the steering wheel.
It’s big. It’s inefficient. But it’s comfortable. Sales of the Thunderbird slipped in the mid-70s thanks to the global oil crisis, but the 1972 Ford Thunderbird represented the height of the model’s popularity. Powered by a 460 cubic inch powerhouse, the Thunderbird produced just over 200 horsepower, which isn’t a lot – but it was more than enough to motivate the luxurious vehicle.
The millionth Ford Thunderbird will be on display alongside several other unique Ford vehicles, such as a few race cars built and driven by Ken Block and a 1990 Ford GT90.
Comments
It was the worst generation of Thunderbird. You might as well have bought an LTD: you could at least bring your friends or family with you.
Agreed. “Badge engineering” in full bloom.
It was not the worst generation Thunderbird. Each generation had its fans and detractors. At the time this car was being developed (circa 1969, 1970), the American trend was “bigger is better”.
Lurch, your argument can be applied to every 2 door, 4 or 5 passenger car. It could be applied to the 1958-60 Square Birds.
Each person is entitled to their own opinion of the best or worst. For me, there are too many good generation to pick a best… each for different reasons from the 1955-57 2-seaters to the 1961-63 Bullet Birds to the 1964-66 Flare Birds to the 1971/72 Knudsen Beak Birds. On the other hand, the 1980-82 were clearly the worst… exposed wipers, narrow tread, fuddyduddy side window frames.
I had a ’79 TBird and loved it. To this day I have never driven a car that was as comfortable and fun to drive…I’m gonna stop here, I’m gettin’ misty….
I loved my 1977 Town Landau. I saw it 10 years after I sold it. The paint was faded out but the red velour interior still looked good!! Ford really made quality interiors in those days.
I also had a 77 Bird. Buckets, floor console/shift, polycast wheels, full instrumentation, color-keyed racing mirrors, color-coordinated bodyside moldings, vinyl roof, and pin stripes. Lots of thumbs up.
Presently have a 64 convertible… Brittany Blue metallic.