In the classic car world, some automobiles, like a 1968 Ford Shelby Mustang or a 1963 Chevrolet Corvette, get all the attention. But there are so many other less-notable vintage vehicles worthy of a second look.
One example is a 1969 Ford Thunderbird featured in a Lou Costabile YouTube video. This crisp coupe harkens back to an era when vinyl roofs and wire wheel covers showcased luxury.
This particular car is the property of Kelly Castle, a Thunderbird devotee since his high school days in the 1980s. Castle’s skills as a mechanic have helped him amass a small collection of these Fords.
A Forgotten Throwback, The Ford Thunderbird
The first thing that strikes the eye about Castle’s Thunderbird is the Copper Flame Metallic paint. Its distinctive sheen is a stark contrast to today’s monotone automotive paints and reminds us that color once mattered. Just ask anyone who grew up with avocado green kitchen appliances.
Costabile explores other aspects of this Ford Thunderbird forgotten in today’s premium vehicles. In particular, the Landau roof hints at luxury rides of the 1920s. There are also other memorable touches, like a bejeweled Thunderbird symbol on each taillight accompanied by sequential turn signals. Meanwhile, features like a power driver’s seat and a Tilt-Away steering wheel reinforced luxury in 1969.
Is A 1969 Thunderbird A Muscle Car?
On its surface, no one will ever think of the 1969 Thunderbird as a muscle car. After all, this was the same year Ford produced the epic Shelby Mustang GT350, Shelby Mustang GT500, and Mustang Boss 302. In most people’s minds, fancy wheel covers and other luxury trappings automatically disqualify a vehicle from muscle car status.
But lurking under the hood of this Ford Thunderbird is an engine that may cause some to think otherwise. Its big-block, 429 cubic-inch Thunder Jet V8 left the factory producing 360 horsepower (although some reports indicate this is an underestimate). This engine, along with a four-barrel carburetor, also saw duty in the potent Ford Mustang Boss 429 (with 15 more horsepower); a vehicle that proudly wears the muscle car label.
What Is The Value Of A 1969 Thunderbird?
Thunderbirds from this era get underappreciated by collectors, despite what’s in the engine bay. Hagerty reports a 1969 Ford Thunderbird Landau Coupe is worth $12,800 to $35,800, depending on condition (fair to concours). Castle’s Thunderbird appears to be in excellent condition and has a value of $30,000.
In contrast, a 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429 gets valued at an eye-popping $148,000 to $426,000.
Sources: YouTube/Lou Costabile, Hagerty