1976 Ford Thunderbird

The Ford Thunderbird was created in response to Chevrolet's sporty Corvette. Although never intending to be a sports car - rather a blend of sport and luxury - it outsold the Corvette 20-to-1 in 1955. For 1958, the Thunderbird grew even larger with the first of the four-seaters, and larger still in 1962 as the third generation began.

The sixth generation of the Ford Thunderbird (known as the 'Big Bird') was built from 1972 through 1976 and rested on a 120.4-inch wheelbase platform that measured 214 inches in length. This generation was the largest Thunderbird ever produced by Ford, sharing the assembly line with the Lincoln Continental Mark IV. Powering these large vehicles was an equally large standard engine of 429 cubic-inches or even larger optional 460 CID V8 (standard after 1973). Despite the large engine sizes, the overall weight of the vehicles and the low power output due to restrictive emissions technology resulted in modest performance and poor fuel economy.

The base engine in the 1976 Ford Thunderbird was the 460 CID V8 offering 202 horsepower at 3,800 RPM and 352 foot-pounds of torque at 1,600 RPM. It was backed by a SelectShift Cruise-O-Matic with a 2.75:1 rear axle ratio. It rode on JR78 x 15 steel-belted radial tries and standard equipment included power steering, power brakes, power windows, and cornering lamps. The rear suspension was comprised of a 'stabul' four-link setup.

Since 1976 was the final year for the sixth generation Thunderbird, and Ford was busy preparing for the seventh generation, very few updates and changes were made this year. The front of the personal-luxury Thunderbird featured a bulged-out grille with rectangular holes in a crosshatch pattern, with 'Thunderbird' block letters above. On either side of the grille were quad round headlamps and large sectioned wraparound parking and cornering lamps. In the back were full-width segmented-design tail lamps with four bulbs in each pod. There were small opera windows and a narrow roll-down rear window. The two-door hardtop coupe had a base price of $7,790 and total production reached 52,935 examples.

Standard equipment included a new AM radio, automatic parking brake release, full wheel covers, twin padded pull-down arm-rests, courtesy lights, and remote-control left mirror. New options included an engine block heater, AM/FM quadrasonic 8 track tape player, power lumbar seat, and Kasman cloth interior trim. The Light Group package gained an automatic headlamp dimmer. New packages included the Creme/Gold Luxury Group with two-tone paint of gold glamour with creme accents. Additionally, it came with a gold padded half-vinyl roof, deep-dish aluminum wheels, and gold Thunderbird emblem in opera window. The interior could be customized with two-tone Creme/Gold leather or gold media velour seating surfaces. The right-hadn instrument panel was finished with gold applique.

Another color option was the Lipstick Package that added red paint with white striping. Thunderbirds were offered in 21 colors, including the Luxury Group choices. The Bordeaux Luxury Group included Bordeaux glamour paint, simulate wire wheel covers, and a fully padded half-vinyl roof in silver or dark red. There were wide bodyside moldings to match the viny roof, and dual hood and bodyside paint stripes. The interiors were either red leather or red media velour.

The 1976 Thunderbird was the last of the big Thunderbirds and was laden with creature comforts and every conceivable luxury amenities. Six-way power seating, power lumbar supports, tinted glass, tilt steering wheel, rear window defroster, power antenna, and power disc brakes were just a few of the many items the Thunderbird had to offer.

The 1977 Thunderbird would shrink by nearly 8 inches, reflecting the rising demand for more fuel-efficient cars. A small-block V8 replaced the heavier big-block V8s resulting in a substantial weight reduction.

by Daniel Vaughan | Aug 2020