The official production numbers speak for themselves, showing that 1973 was the best year for the sixth-generation Thunderbird.
The new series debuted in 1972 with nearly 58,000 units sold, but the 1973 model year brought a surprising increase to over 87,000 T-Birds finding a new owner. The figures returned to “normal” a year later when the Thunderbird sales included just over 58,000 cars.
1973 also witnessed the last time the 429 (7.0-liter) V8 was offered on the T-Bird. Ford decided to go all-in on the 460 (7.5-liter) beginning in 1974 when the lineup included just the base 400 (6.6-liter) and this new big-block donated by Lincoln.
A 460 is also in charge of putting the wheels in motion on this 1973 Thunderbird, but as anyone can tell by simply browsing the photo gallery, chances are it’s no longer able to do this. The car was parked in storage no less than 37 years ago, and while the engine was still running at that time, it’s unclear if its current condition is any good news.
The owner explains on Craigslist that they discovered the car in the same barn where it was parked a year after receiving a full repaint. As it turns out, someone brought this car from Kentucky to Wisconsin, but two years later, they decided to abandon it in a barn.
The T-Bird has been sitting ever since, keeping the mileage untouched – the odometer indicates approximately 90,000 miles, and they are believed to be entirely original.
In fact, everything on the car is original (except for the paint, though the quality of the respray is unclear), and the owner says most parts are still in place. Of course, potential buyers should still check out the vehicle in person, especially as some parts have already been removed (but they’re still around, it seems).
The owner says the car rolls freely, as the brakes weren’t locked when they pulled the T-Bird from the barn. This should allow for easy towing, though I’d still have a look at the engine, especially as the oil and the trans fluid are “still on dipsticks.” Sure enough, new fluids are obviously required, but all of these could be signs the engine might still start.
As for the rust, this isn’t a critical issue on the T-Bird, as it only exhibits occasional metal damage that should be fixable quite easily. The undersides are clean, with no visible holes in the floors.