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1978 Ford Thunderbird - Nice and Clean Survivor!

  • Location: Columbus, Ohio, United States
  • Condition: Used
  • Make: Ford
  • Model: Thunderbird
  • Type: Coupe
  • Trim: Town Landau
  • Year: 1978
  • Mileage: 115,550
  • VIN: 8G87H239406
  • Color: Gold
  • Engine size: 351 modified
  • Number of cylinders: 8
  • Power options: Power Locks, Power Windows, Power Seats
  • Fuel: Gasoline
  • Transmission: Automatic
  • Drive type: RWD
  • Interior color: Brown
  • Drive side: Left-hand drive
  • Vehicle Title: Clear

1978 Ford Thunderbird Town Landau Description

1978 Ford Thunderbird - great driver in nice condition!


I'm reluctantly parting with a winter project that I picked up not too long ago. This is my last project for a while since my work schedule doesn't provide a lot of free time to do what I want with them.


This is a 1978 Ford Thunderbird with a 351 modified and automatic transmission. Overall in very nice shape and it starts, runs, drives, shifts, and stops as it should. I've driven it almost every day since I've had it and it's done fine. It could easily be a daily if someone wanted or needed.


The good:

  • The paint is in great condition and shines up well - very solid and straight body
  • All glass is good and the power windows work fine
  • Everything works as far as I can tell - even the clock, power drivers seat, and the power antenna!
  • Headlights open and close perfectly
  • Drives nicely
  • Great heat and the A/C seems to get cool
  • Clean and complete interior
  • Nice brakes and matching tires with probably fewer than 1000 miles on them
  • New fuel tank and other miscellaneous tune up items
  • Aftermarket stereo (nothing special but gets the job done), mounted by a previous owner in a center console to avoid tearing up the dash
The not so good:
  • She'll mark her territory with a some oil leaks when parked for a longer period of time. Nothing major and I haven't had to add any.
  • A few exhaust leaks are noticeable at idle. Again, nothing crazy and it's not too loud. My plan was for dual exhaust anyway.
  • There are a couple of cracks in some interior plastic pieces
  • Vinyl top has some minor cracking and fading
  • There is a little looseness/play in the steering column, most likely from people using the steering wheel to get in and out over the years. It's minor and doesn't affect steering at all, I'm just trying to be as detailed as possible.
  • She could probably stand to have an alignment
  • Clear title, reads as mileage exceeds mechanical limits (5 digit odometer). The BMV didn't know how to read it and entered the mileage as 158k and change. Not a big deal as it exceeds mechanical limits either way, but I'm confident that it has around 115,500 on it.
Overall, this is a very nice driver in good condition. It's a head turner for sure and draws a lot of attention everywhere I take it! It's kind of a time capsule, down to the 70s colors and turbine wheels! Add wheels (A/R Torque Thrusts or Cragar Super Sports would look awesome) along with dual exhaust and this will be a really cool, unique cruiser! You don't see these too often in this condition.
Since people usually ask, I would have no issue driving this a long distance. I don't know of any reason that it couldn't be driven home.


Sold as is with no warranty expressed or implied. I am not a mechanic and have described this to the best of my ability. If you have questions or you're wondering about something that is not listed, please ask! Local buyers are welcome to come check it out in person and drive it. Full amount due in cash at pick up in Worthington, Ohio 43085 within one week of auction's end. I'm located about 10 minutes north of Columbus, Ohio and about 15 minutes from the Columbus airport (CMH). No problem to pick up the winning bidder if they'd like to fly in and drive home. I'm happy to work with a shipper but all expenses and arrangements (including quotes) are the sole responsibility of the buyer. I reserve the right to end the auction early due to local sale.


Thanks for looking!