Ford Thunderbird 1955-1978 - 2020 Market Review

By: Cliff Chambers

Date: 15.01.2021

Ford Thunderbird 1955-1978 market review 2020

Ford wanted a Corvette killer without spending much money so the first Thunderbird was effectively a cut-down Customline.

While the Corvette went on to become an archetypal sports car, the T-Bird took an opposite route and grew into something with immense appeal to Saturday night showoffs.  During the 1960s the model enjoyed huge success and all models, including those early ‘baby Birds’, have been gaining value.

| Buyer's Guide: Ford Thunderbird 1961-1966

Cars from the mid-1960s are most easily found and those that remain LHD will mostly likely be nicer to drive than converted cars.

Convertibles are more expensive than hardtops but some at present are $10-20,000 beyond realistic levels. Post-1966 models shared their chassis with Lincoln’s Continental and were for years ignored in the specialist market. However that is changing and outstanding cars will today exceed $30,000.

Thunderbird 1955-57 $66,475 [18]

Thunderbird Hardtop 1958-60 $43,600 [10]

Thunderbird Hardtop 1961-66 $34,670 [21]

Thunderbird Conv. 61-66 $68,965 [17]

Thunderbird H/Top & Sedan 1967-73 $28,900 [6]

Thunderbird H/Top 1974-78 $16,000 [1]

[*] = number of recorded sales

(Note: concours & special cars may demand more.)

Numbers from our 2020 Muscle Car & US Car Value Guide.

| Understanding our value guide price charts

| 2019 Market Review: Ford Thunderbird 1955-1978

From Unique Cars #447, December 2020

Unique Cars magazine Value Guides

Sell your car for free right here