by Mike Gulett –
We all remember cars from our youth don’t we? And sometimes we may want to relive that youth by acquiring a car from those youthful days. Maybe that car would not be a car of natural choice today but the memories bring it into our perspective once again. There is nothing wrong with reliving our history with a special car.
Today this special car for me is a 1970 Ford Thunderbird that my parents bought used in the early 1970s (it was red with a white vinyl roof and white interior) that I was able to drive on occasion. It was a special and beautiful car that still shines bright in my memory.
The evolution of the Ford Thunderbird from 1955 is well known but that is not our subject here today. Among the most distinguishable features found on the 1970 Thunderbird was its new front fascia highlighted by a prominent projection resembling a bird’s beak that was in line with long angular lines in the hood. It used the sequential turn signals in the rear of prior years, along with full-width tail lamps.
In 1970 the Thunderbird not only was the height of luxury but also had the performance to match, accelerating to 60 mph in less than 8 seconds powered by a 429 cid V8 “Thunderjet” engine producing 360 bhp. That was potent for the day and it was a 2+2 with a comfortable back seat.
“Bunkie” Knudsen had a long and successful history as an auto executive, at this time, he introduced a design quirk to the Ford Thunderbird called the “Bunkie Beak” by enthusiasts. Others referred to this as simply a “long nose”, like the one found on some other cars.
Whatever you call it it does stand out today as a unique design feature. With 50,364 made in 1970 there should be a few around for acquisition.
I do not have any photos of my parent’s Thunderbird back then because I did not take photos of every car I came across in those days (this was way before digital cameras). So, I am sharing images from sales brochures and advertisements.
This was elegance and style in the 1970s and a source of fond memories for me.
Let us know what you think in the Comments.
Mike,
Beautiful Car!!! The Thunderbird until 1978 always provided the full luxury treatment, and were produced in the same plant as the Continental. In 1978, it was de-contented , based on the LTD II, and was given a much lower price.
The 1967, ’68, and ’69 Pontiacs also featured a prominent beak, with the optional Endura front bumper instead of the full chrome bumper. My mother’s ’69 Pontiac Ventura (the higher trim level on the full-sized Catalina) had the Endura beak, and I can tell you that thing didn’t endure anything, and paint faded and never matched the rest of the car.
Thank you for sharing your memories of this magnificent car!!!
Glenn in Brooklyn, NY.
I believe Homer LaGassey was the designer in charge of the Thunderbird Studio when the ‘70 was done. He became the Senior Trans Instructor at College for Creative Studies and taught many of us the art of car design.
Thanks for sharing Mike. I loved the T-Birds as well. A friend in college had a 1961 “Bullet Bird” that was highly modified with a 390 bored out to 427 c.i. Fast and beautiful and one of the reasons I bought a 1966 T Bird as my first car. It was red with black interior with a 428 in it. Also very fast! Last of the two door T Birds. I loved the 70’s T Birds like the one your parents had as well. A very special time when Ford and other car makers made some special Personal luxury cars. The T Bird, Riviera, Toronado, Eldorado, Monaco and other cars of the era were really special and I fondly remember those times and those cars.
I love the last advertisement in your article showing a “stewardess” walking a pilot across the tarmac to her car.
A bird, big birds and the Thunderbird.
Wait, so why is the guy there…