The 1974 Ford Thunderbird suffered, as far as sales went, from the ongoing fuel crisis of the mid-seventies. The 'Big Birds' had been introduced to much fanfare in 1972; their long wheelbase and two-and-a-half-ton curbweight made them look more like a limousine than a sports car. The T-Bird's brand identity had shifted from 'compact performance car' to 'luxury sedan', and the buying public was a little mystified.

When it came to luxury, though, the '74 Thunderbird was a classic of seventies style. Inside the roomy cabin, the decor had a touch of class, with wood-veneer accents and plenty of chrome. It might look charmingly retro today, but at the time, it was the essence of upscale comfort.

Engine-wise, the '74 Ford Thunderbird was still true to its roots as a performance car, shipping off the line with a 460 cubic inch, 7.5 liter Lincoln V8. Of course, you needed a lot of muscle to haul that much sheet metal around the streets! Worst of all in an era of gas shortages, the 1974 Thunderbird had a bottomless thirst at the pumps. Its nightmare mileage of 8 mpg city, 11 mpg highway inspired some drivers to compare it to another 'Big Bird': an albatross.