Ford Thunderbird (sixth generation)

Sixth generation Ford Thunderbird "Big Birds"
1973 Ford Thunderbird
Overview
Manufacturer	Ford
Production	1972–1976
Assembly	Wixom, Michigan Pico Rivera, California Mahwah, New Jersey Hapeville, Georgia
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door hardtop coupe
Layout	FR layout
Related	Lincoln Continental Mark IV Mercury Cougar
Powertrain
Engine	429 cu in (7.0 L) 385 V8 460 cu in (7.5 L) 385 V8
Dimensions
Wheelbase	120.4 in (3,058 mm)
Length	225 in (5,715 mm)
Width	79.7 in (2,024 mm)
Chronology
Predecessor	Ford Thunderbird (fifth generation)
Successor	Ford Thunderbird (seventh generation)

The sixth generation of the Ford Thunderbird is a large personal luxury coupe that was produced by Ford for the 1972 to 1976 model years. A counterpart of the Lincoln Continental Mark IV, this generation of the Thunderbird was the largest ever produced; weighing in at over 5,000 pounds (2,268 kg), they are also the heaviest coupes ever produced by Ford (aside from its Mark IV counterpart).

In terms of styling, the sixth-generation Thunderbird would heavily influence the styling of the 1974-1976 Mercury Cougar XR7 and Ford Elite, the latter of which was replaced by the seventh-generation Thunderbird in 1977.

Aside from the redesign itself, the 1972 Thunderbird represented a simplification of body styles. Instead of the three body styles (landau, two-door and four-door hardtops) offered for the 1971 model year, Thunderbird was pared down to a single two-door hardtop model line. Externally, many components were common with the Lincoln Mark IV, the primary differences being the front and rear body panels. The prominent “beak” of 1971 was toned down while the sequential turn signals seen since 1965 were deleted for cost reasons.

Aside from the dashboard, the interior was also shared with the Mark IV. Instead of the square gauges used by Lincoln, Thunderbirds used round dials for the speedometer, fuel gauge, and clock. To the driver’s left were the climate control controls and the light controls; to the right were the radio controls, wiper controls, and information center. This dash layout would remain through the 1989 model year. Base price was $5,293 and a total of 57,814 Thunderbirds were built for the model year.

For 1973, Thunderbird increased both in size and price. To accommodate the larger 5 mph bumpers mandated for all 1973 automobiles, the front was restyled with an egg crate grille, topped by a spring-loaded hood ornament, flanked by the quad headlight in individual nacelles. The turn signals were more prominent at the fender edges. Also new to the exterior were opera windows, first optional, then standard late in the model year. Power windows ($129), vinyl roof ($141), manual air conditioning ($436), and tinted glass ($51), were also made standard during the model year. Some new options included AM/FM 8-track tape player ($311), remote control right hand outside mirror ($26), and an anti-theft system ($79). Some optional equipment available included sure-track brakes, an early anti-lock braking system ($197), power sunroof ($504), power door locks ($59), cruise control ($103) and the 460 cu in (7.5 L) V8 ($76).