1978 Ford Thunderbird Reviews, Pricing & Specs
Overview
The 1978 Ford Thunderbird was the second of the 'Torino Bird' models. Smaller than the giant TBirds of the 'Big Bird' years in the early...
The 1978 Ford Thunderbird was the second of the 'Torino Bird' models. Smaller than the giant TBirds of the 'Big Bird' years in the early seventies, this incarnation of the Thunderbird straddled the boundary between sports car and luxury sedan. Ford added a jazzy touch to the '78 Thunderbird by introducing a T-top option (perhaps a response to the popular Trans Am?) Other minor changes included yet another facelift to the car’s front end.
Luxury was the interior keynote for the 1978 Thunderbird. Plush bucket seats, a glitzy dashboard with plenty of chrome, and lots of electric doodads pampered the driver: if the '78 TBird was a TV show, it was more like 'Dallas' than 'Route 66'. The exterior styling reflected the aesthetic of the time, too, with sharp, square-shouldered lines.
Although the '78 Ford Thunderbird wasn't the drag-strip juggernaut of the early seventies, it packed a perfectly respectable punch under the hood. Shipped off the line with a 5.0 liter/302 cubic inch V8, the '78 T-Bird was also available with an upgrade to a 5.8 liter/351 cubic inch or a 6.6 liter/400 cubic inch V-8. Even the entry-level engine offered plenty of power to move the more compact Thunderbird around highways and roads with ease and zip.
And let's not forget the improved fuel efficiency that had motivated the redesign. With xx mpg city, xx mpg highway, drivers were too relieved by their savings on gas to mourn the giant engines of the old 'Big Birds'.
What owners say
"Overall, owners of the 1978 Ford Thunderbird appreciate its reliability, comfort, and unique design, often describing it as smooth and enjoyable to drive. Many love the spacious interior and vintage style, but some express disappointment with its frequent breakdowns and underwhelming performance. While the Thunderbird is celebrated as a classic, a few feel it struggled with acceleration and handling, which reflects the era's automotive limitations."
Seventh Generation T-Bird was restyled, losing 1000 lbs. and 10 in. in length- new styling and performance made this 'Bird wildly popular with Americans- 350,000 sold in 1978- updated 351 V8 and 2.50 rear end gave acceptable fuel economy- my car was purchased from original California owner with 98,000 miles and is in perfect condition with original after market alloys and new tires- the car is powerful, corners flat thanks to beefy sway bars front and rear, and stops on a dime- love to cruise it and get many comments thanks to the shiny Dove Grey paint and perfect chrome and trim- #8J87H176608 shows car was built in Los Angeles factory- an affordable classic in #2 condition
July 10, 2013I adore my thunderbird. its my baby, I show it and shine it up. Its the smoothest riding vehicle I have ever driven and it is amazing! I will never give it up, its made a collector out of me.
September 13, 2010I have done very little to this car over the years. I am the 2nd owner, and aside from routine maintenence, all I have added was the Magnum 500 wheels, and dual exhaust. It has been a very reliable car, comfortable as a lazyboy chair, with great looks.
August 29, 2012What owners say
Seventh Generation T-Bird was restyled, losing 1000 lbs. and 10 in. in length- new styling and performance made this 'Bird wildly popular with Americans- 350,000 sold in 1978- updated 351 V8 and 2.50 rear end gave acceptable fuel economy- my car was purchased from original California owner with 98,000 miles and is in perfect condition with original after market alloys and new tires- the car is powerful, corners flat thanks to beefy sway bars front and rear, and stops on a dime- love to cruise it and get many comments thanks to the shiny Dove Grey paint and perfect chrome and trim- #8J87H176608 shows car was built in Los Angeles factory- an affordable classic in #2 condition
July 10, 2013I adore my thunderbird. its my baby, I show it and shine it up. Its the smoothest riding vehicle I have ever driven and it is amazing! I will never give it up, its made a collector out of me.
September 13, 2010I have done very little to this car over the years. I am the 2nd owner, and aside from routine maintenence, all I have added was the Magnum 500 wheels, and dual exhaust. It has been a very reliable car, comfortable as a lazyboy chair, with great looks.
August 29, 2012Okay, let's face it--the late 1970's was definitely NOT considered to be the high-water mark for American automobile manufacturing and design. And the luxo-barge segment of that era was, in particular, not world-renowned for it's cutting-edge innovation and performance. But thirty years later, maybe they weren't as bad as we remember... The '78 T-Bird epitomized the phrase 'land yacht'. It was my second car and did not have a high bar to jump as my first was a '79 Buick Regal with a bad radiator and sagging headliner. I have to say that compared to the Buick, this car was simply awesome. It didn't have even 40k miles on it when I acquired it from my uncle in 1985, and the burnt-orange paint and dark brown vinyl interior looked as new as the day it rolled out of the showroom. The front seats were cavernous and luxurious, even if they were vinyl. Eight-way power seats with separate, fold-down center armrests for driver AND passenger. Cruise control. Faux wood dash with large white-on-black circular gauges. It was like sitting in a Lazy-Boy! Awesome. The back seats were really just for decoration, though, because as big as this car was there was almost no legroom at all for back seat passengers! The view out the windshield was awesome, too. You really couldn't tell where the front of the car was...it look like it just kept on going to the horizon. Which it almost did, really. Just massively huge. Staring down all that shiny sheet metal, I just couldn't help but feel like I was at the wheel of a serious piece of machinery. Of course, that's because I was. Although it had a 5.0L V-8 under the hood, it required every last one of those 302 cubic inches to motivate this monster down the road. Acceleration was not, shall we say, brisk. Steering was surprisingly light for such a big car thanks to the hugely overboosted power steering system. Handling and braking were...uh...hmmm...well, let's just say that one had to anticipate any and all inertial changes to the vehicle's trajectory will in advance. So even though in many ways this car represents all that was wrong with Detroit in the 1970's, outside of that context it really isn't so bad. In fact, in lots of ways it's downright cool. I thought so then. I think so now. And that's the truth.
February 25, 2009"Nora" is the 4th of this generation of Thunderbird to grace my driveway. Obviously, ford got something VERY right all those years ago. These have to be amongst the least expensive, most reliable, comfortable and durable cars it is possible to have.
August 9, 2011American Muscle. Engine was easy to work on. Felt secure behind the wheel. Few issues with the car. only real issue I ever had was the exhaust and the vacuum lines. Replaced both the exhaust and the lines and the head lamp covers and cruise control worked fine.
April 28, 2014This Thunderbird has been babyed by its 3 owners. It is built solid, no repairs needed, no squeaks, no rattles, freshly painted, interior well maintained. So fun to drive and such a privilege to own a real piece of Americana!
February 13, 2011I love my Thunderbird! She is the most dependable and reliable vehicle i have ever owned and paid a whopping $350.00 for it back in 2009. I have only put about 400 in this car and that was for new rims and tires. Mechanically she is very sound! She has dual exhaust with 3 inch chrome tips for great sound and she has a 351 w under the hood all chromed out and polished every few days. she has a helluva sound system too! I may be old but by no means am i dead! The gas milaege is this car is phenominal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
January 16, 2013When i bought this car in '87 it was to be my first legal on the road car. While my friends were driving Camaro's and Olds cutlas and what-not, I liked this one. Under the hood was a 351Clevland, RWD and power everything else.
July 21, 2010it was a beautiful tutone blue with opera windows and hidden headlights what a beautiful car but it broke down to many times and had to go sold it off and ended up with a little chevy chevette, that was an a needed replacement
February 20, 2010
