Ford Thunderbird 5th Gen

The 5th generation Thunderbird, built from 1967 to 1971, represented a major pivot for Ford's personal luxury car. Sharing its body-on-frame construction with the Lincoln Continental, the 'Glamour Bird' grew in size and luxury. The most notable change was the 1967 introduction of a four-door Landau sedan with rear-hinged 'suicide' doors, a first for the Thunderbird nameplate. Early models featured a distinctive full-width grille that concealed the headlights, which was replaced by a prominent 'Bunkie Beak' projecting grille for the 1970 and 1971 model years.

Today, these Thunderbirds are valued for their unique styling and comfortable ride. While not as prized as the original two-seaters, their affordability makes them an excellent entry point for classic car ownership. The four-door models, once overlooked, are gaining appreciation for their rarity and distinctive design. The market is quite broad, with an average sale price just over $10,000. Most transactions are for solid drivers, but exceptional, low-mileage examples with big-block engines can command significantly higher prices.

Prices range from $800 for project cars to $55,000 for pristine, top-spec examples.