My recent article on the 1965 Thunderbird drew some comments, both praising and damning, about the 1967 Thunderbird, which has proved to be a polarizing iteration of the original personal luxury coupe. It certainly was a harbinger of change, but those comments jogged my memory about a T-Bird for sale on Northern Michigan Craigslist. It’s been there for a while.
This is obviously not one of the new for 1967 four-doors, but it does have a great color combination, and it looks nice in the pictures, at least if you’re one who was smitten rather than repulsed by the ’67.
The advertisement follows:
1967 Thunderbird, 79,880 original miles, Sat in a garage between 30-35 years, 390 4bbl 335HP (315 hp actually. ED) 425 ft lbs torque from Factory (427 ft.lbs. actually ED), C6 transmission, front disc brakes/ 4 piston factory calipers, 9″ rear differential 300:1 gears, New: Alternator, regulator, Brake master cylinder, head gaskets, intake gaskets, timing cover gaskets, timing chain and gears, oil pan gaskets, new oil pump, fuel pump & gasket , exhaust manifold gaskets, Drivers power window motor, air filter, fuel filter, thrush glasspack mufflers, 1000cca Battery. New Holly 600 cfm carburetor w/electric choke. New Electronic ignition distributor, coil & duraspark 2 ignition module. distributor cap, rotor and ignition wires. I have extra parts that go with car. Back bumper, various trim pieces. All original parts that were removed go with car such as, original carb, distributor and coil. All original Air Conditioning parts come with car including all engine brackets, idler pulleys and mounting bolts.
Car runs and drives excellent! The car was undercoated and rust proofed when new and always garaged until I bought it in July 2014. The interior has one bad spot, on the drivers side seat back. See picture.
Drive as is or restore.
$5500.00 OR BEST OFFER
The 390 was the standard engine in 1967 (as it had been since 1961), but the 428 was in its second year as an option. I imagine that seat of the pants performance between the two was similar (cue argument in the comments).
The interior looks faded but workable. If you’re interested in this piece of Thunderbird history, the seller may be amenable to a little dealing, but then again, maybe s/he’s not, which may be why it’s still for sale.
Also on Northern Michigan Craigslist was this personal luxury cruiser from a decade after the T-Bird. It’s the popular Cordoba, one of the good ones, as JP might say (insinuating that Chrysler’s 1970s build quality was hit or miss). The fact that it’s a Michigan survivor means it’s been well cared for or little driven.
The advertisement follows:
I have a 1977 two door Chrysler Cordoba with 48,000 org. miles.It has new dual exhaust, newer brakes& brake lines,new master cylinder,newer gas tank and gas lines and newer tires. the body is in really great shape for being 39 years old as you can see in the pictures. The paint is a faded blue. It has a very clean interior with no holes or rips. The clock even works!!!!! This is a very good solid car.asking 3,200.00 or o.b.o. no trades call after 11:00 am
The advertisement claims 48,000 miles (although the picture claims 47,000), which may explain its condition. If this car is from Michigan, there’s no way the odometer has rolled, because it would not still exist.
A decade of decadence affected the seating zeitgeist: velour replaced leather and vinyl as the material of choice for leisure suit wearing ABBA fans. OK, maybe that’s a ridiculous stereotype. Some panels are faded, but the interior looks good.
Someone’s as paranoid about license plate theft as I am. From the rear, it looks like the Cordoba will need a bit of paint work and a date with the buffing wheel at the least. I just had a spray can of single-stage urethane mixed at the local paint shop for 20 dollars, so the primered spot presents no big challenge. The chalky paint, however, may be too far gone to save.
I’m guessing it will need tires, judging by the faded balance weight. There is a refreshing lack of visible rust here, however, so $3200 doesn’t seem like a ridiculous price. In fact, this one may already be sold; it would make for a fun driver for someone who’s into ’70s luxoboats.
Neither of these cars is really up my alley, but they both represent what appears to be reasonable value for anyone who wants to get into older cars without spending a lot of money. They both represent the top of their respective lines, and though their modern popularity is dubious, there’s a lot to be said for being your own person. Anyone else find any potentially good deals out there lately?
I like the styling of the 67 Thunderbird. I find it more attractive than the 77 Cordoba.
The T-Bird seems like a good deal which makes me immediately suspicious.
Given a choice between the two, circa 1967 era Ford (even a 390) v. circa 1977 era Chrysler emissions gear is enough to sway the vote towards the T-Bird even if it wasn’t an infinitely more stylish ride (which it is – I always liked that iteration of T-Bird as a cruiser).
Fresh paint, with some pinstripes perhaps, and updated wheels would make the Córdoba a stunner and my choice…price seems quite reasonable to me, too.
Always liked the “Luxury Birds”, especially the 4 doors.
However, the above would be fine with me. Getting the A/C back in order would be the biggest challenge. The rest would be new carpets, paint, and lots of elbow grease.
Love the ’67 T-bird as it was the year I was born – and it looks nice, too! I always loved the taillights on these, and overall it has a classy look to it as well. Seemed like the perfect balance between luxury and sportiness, especially for the times.
I also love the Cordoba. To me, 1970’s personal luxury cars were all about the opera windows, vinyl tops, long hoods and the overall sense of sporty opulence if you will. I have my reservations about the build quality of the Chrysler, however. I’m not sure how bad the fluctuations in build quality were with Chrysler back then, but the few Cordobas that I encountered weren’t exactly rock solid in the build quality department. When my folks were ready to buy one back in 1979 to replace Mom’s Toronado, the showroom car decided to drop its driver side window with a crashing boom when the salesman closed the door. Needless to say we walked out of that showroom as fast as we could. The other Cordoba was a neighbor’s 1977 that refused to start in the morning when it was rainy. I can still hear the shrill sound of that starter over and over as my bedroom window was right near their driveway – rayr rayr rayr rayr….
Between the two, I pick the TBird. The 67 is the one to have of this generation, as it is the only one that keeps some of the old Thunderbird magic going inside. Plus, it is very presentable.
The Doba is cheaper, but someone will have to paint it. In my experience, once those old metallic enamels get dull like that there is no bringing them back. Then you have the Lean Burn issue. The ad says nothing about that being changed out, and even at those low miles, you have to wonder if it has burned a valve or two.
JPC, it may not have a Lean Burn. Wasn’t that only available on the 360? I had a ’77 Fury Salon with a 318 (49 state, 2bbl carb) and it didn’t have LB. Acceleration was leisurely, but you got where you were going and it rarely broke. Of course, I’m assuming the 318 was the standard engine on a Cordoba in ’77.
You’re correct about that paint, it isn’t coming back. My Fury was the same Cadet blue, and no amount of fettering made any difference.
Good question, you may be right. I never owned a smallblock from that era, and had firsthand experience in 76-78 with the 400s and 440s. I was remembering that LB was used across the board, but upon reflection, think I agree with you on the 318. Soooo, it just needs the paint job.
I like both of them. But the T bird is something special. The dashboard was a one year only affair with the brightwork and the traditional T bird sliding vent control knobs. Reminds me of a vintage airplane.
In ’68, much of the brightwork was gone (government regs) and the ventilation was controlled by a more modern vacuum controlled panel.
The 68 had a better driveline, but that 67 interior was the coolest.
The 4-door ‘Birds with suicide rear doors were pretty good wedding cars for their time. Pick up the bride and groom after the ceremony and she would get to make a grand entrance at the reception as long as the driver hopped out and opened the door like she was a starlet.
1979 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham with a 425 Caddy engine ! Looks like it has a fiarly clean body and interior that is not too far gone (by sunny Florida standards).
http://jacksonville.craigslist.org/cto/5509004460.html
and a 1979 Tbird in pretty presentable shape, nice road wheels, 302 for decent performance without horrible mpg. Interior on this one looks decent, though pics are poor. Once crack in the dash, but I don’t know if there is one anywhere in the south that wouldn’t have a crack unless it was garaged its entire life.
http://jacksonville.craigslist.org/cto/5479688003.html
and a 1968 Electra 225, nice straight looking body and trim. Bumpers are straight, which is rare on these. No vinyl top, which is great if its original or bad if someone removed the old one and bondoed up the damage and holes. Paint is uniformly dull and so there is at least a decent chance that the body is nice and original. The interior looks like it may be rough, though if the dash and door panels are ok, then it wouldn’t be too expensive to reupholster the seats and bring it back to presentable condition.
http://jacksonville.craigslist.org/cto/5446168702.html
Each car has it’s points, but the T-bird is the more stylish of the two. The Cordoba, IMHO, looks like a Dodge/Plymouth intermediate 2 door that got “tweaked”…..mostly at the front. To me, the triple baby blue also does the car no favors. BUT….the T-bird in maroon with a leather (?), or vinyl interior isn’t much better.
The T-bird says “made for you”, while the Cordoba says “off the rack, get it before we send it to the bargain basement”.
These cars MIGHT be sitting because this isn’t the best time of year to sell an old car in Michigan, especially a car that pretty much says “older person’car”.
The T-bird says “made for you”, while the Cordoba says “off the rack, get it before we send it to the bargain basement”.
QOTD.
+1.
I’d take the Thunderbird, as it still has some of the old Thunderbird “character.” The 1967 model had slightly better interior, but the 1968 and 1969 models had a better engine (plus the 1969 coupes received some tweaks to the suspension to improve handling). I wouldn’t turn up my nose at any of the 1967-69 models, particularly the four-door versions.
The Cordoba looks presentable, but the 1978-79 Dodge Magnum is the one to have among this generation of Chrysler Corporation intermediates.
In 1967 the T-Bird still had “it” – a prestigious, powerful, well-appointed personal luxury car with an iconic name. Its only competition at the time was Riviera and Tornado. The Cordoba did not compete in that class. It was far cheaper, both in price and features, with a standard 318 V8. It competed with Monte Carlo, Grand Prix and perhaps Cutlass Supreme.
Ironically, the 1977 Cordoba also competed with the new 7th Gen T-Bird introduced this year, totally redesigned, cheapened and decontented. The new T-Bird was a sales smash, as it now competed with cheaper cars, but wasn’t in the same league as the previous generations.
I like the 67 T-Bird but prefer the 69 model especially the four door which a friend’s family had back in the day. I got to drive the car when my friend got married and it was quite an experience floating along city streets.
The Córdoba doesn’t appear to be well optioned like the one I’m picking up at the end of this week. Not a fan of the Córdoba, but I got my 1978 Augusta Green hardtop at a very good price. After 13 years old dry storage it will get some attention and a little road time before I sell it someone who really wants it.
The blue Cordoba is nice, but I really like this green one! And it has some of the best wire wheel covers of all time.
+1. Much nicer in green.
Nice Cordoba!
Even though it has a red cap on one of the posts, I think I’d be moving that DieHard a little farther away from the car! 😉
The battery is a goner. I’m getting an actual “Mopar” battery for the car as it seems fitting since the Córdoba is almost original. The Lean Burn components were thrown away a few years ago by the original owner and replaced by a less troublesome after market ignition system.
I just checked out Craigslist again, and the Cordoba is down to $3050! 🙂
I’d buy that Mopar in a heartbeat!
True, Chrysler’s quality control was quite “bipolar” in the 1970’s. (But, to be fair, FoMoCo and GM weren’t up to Toyota’s standards either!)
BUT
If you “got a good one”, as this survivor appears to be, you won the automotive lottery for that year.
Very nice comparison of good examples of the original personal luxury car and what was (I think) the last new car in the old school, rear drive, long nose/short deck market segment.
In that regard, all things being equal, it’d be a tough call on which to choose for CC ownership. As others have stated, any sixties’ T-bird might be slightly easier to maintain, given the woeful emission control systems of the seventies. But, then, the older style, multiple, complicated electrical systems for all the luxury amenities (did they still have the sequential rear turn signals with bunches of relays in ’67?) might be just as much of a headache to maintain.
So, it probably boils down to a simple product allegiance, i.e., whether one prefers Ford or Chrysler products. Either car looks like a fine choice for an affordable, alternative classic to take to car shows on nice summer days (as opposed to the myriad Mustangs and Camaros that proliferate at those events). Frankly, I’d probably take the T-bird as old Fords, even the less popular ones, tend to have much better parts availability than old Chrysler products.
(did they still have the sequential rear turn signals with bunches of relays in ’67?)
Yes. When the turn signals were running I could hear a motor running in the back end of mine, and I could hear the contacts sparking on the AM only radio. In my 70s Cougar, the sequencing was done by transistors on a roughly 6″ x 8″ circuit board, but the transistors were still switching relays. Ford had improved radio interference suppression by then as the Cougar’s turn signals did not come through on the radio.
I’ll take the Cordoba. It’s not so much that I don’t care for the T-bird, but I like the Cordoba because it reminds me of my ’77 Plymouth Fury Salon. Especially with that soothing cool blue velour softly lit by a full moon, with the AM radio pulling in a station from Boise while driving (sailing?) home from work. Great memories.
I much prefer American automotive styling from the early 70s VS the later 70s.
Leaving aside emissions issues, I just find late 70s styling to be too plain, straight-edged, and restrained.
It’s sort of like designers were having fun without limits in 1972, then the dour boss showed up and everyone had to get to work and make dull cars. It’s like American designers were do what they were supposed to be doing, not what they wanted to be doing, and it shows.
I get the many reasons for the down-sizing, but I’m speaking from the perspective of a collector/enthusiast 40 years later rather than someone needing a car in post-OPEC 1976.
So, in summation, I’ll take the T-Bird…
One of my favorite beater cars was $250 Cordoba I bought when I was 21 in 1995. It too must have been one of the good ones. It was special ordered, and had the heavy duty suspension package and 360 with 4 barrel, leather interior. For what it was, it was great!
Was it white with a red leather interior? If so, it might have been one of the Cordoba ‘300’ cars, which many consider to be a nice homage to the original 300 letter series cars.
As a wee lad of 15 in the late summer of 1966, Dad had somehow scored 2 tickets to a preview of the 1967 Ford lineup at a large local movie theatre (before multiplex) followed by a feature movie. The house was packed and silent during the preview until the Thunderbird 4-door came on-screen. I will never forget that loud wave of “oooooos” and “ahhhhhhs” from the audience and I shared that exhilaration of the gorgeous bird. I never understood the detractors but Dad was apparently one of them. In the market for a new car in 1967 he chose a Pontiac Bonneville, declaring that the 4-door ‘Bird was “ugly”
I was so dismayed that he didn’t get the Thunderbird -as was he later on when that Pontiac proved to be nothing but trouble.
An ironic choice, as the ’67 Pontiac’s styling was also rather polarizing. Personally, I wouldn’t call the 4-door ‘Bird “ugly,” nor would I call the Bonneville “beautiful.” Regardless, both nameplates are “history.”
I never understood the Glamorbird hate. The spirit of the Bullet and Flairbirds lived on in that delightfully wacky interior, wrapped in a more adult, better performing package. Sure, the convertible was gone, but did anyone really miss it? If there is any knock on this generation, it’s the decontenting that began in ’68. The brightwork diminished, the kooky touches started to abate, and the new standard interiors were Fairlane grade. The bench seat that worked in the Fordor came across as very un-Thunderbird in the Tudor. The introduction of the Mark IV based Thunderbird in ’72 was a step too far and really brought the curtain down on that Thunderbird magic.
Unlike the Bird, this particular Cordoba possess no unique vibe of its own. The whole package reeks of B-body Fury coupe. If I were Cordoba shopping, I’d seek a console car with T tops, lots of options, and black Corinthian leather.
Isn’t that the point?
Both cars are cool, but I love love love the ‘Doba! The front shot is giving us serious “face”. Normally, I wouldn’t be too crazy about the color, but it’s just so period correct. The price is right. If I still lived in Michigan, I’d be sorely tempted.
Between these two, I’d go with the Thunderbird. The Cordoba is nice and priced to sell, but it just doesn’t ooze enough Montalban charm to meet my expectation for a Cordoba.
Having said that, I’d be a little leery of the modifications to this particular ‘Bird. Hopefully, the wiring adaptations for the later electronic ignition were done properly. A botched wiring harness would be a real pain. Also, how well will the A/C system cope with being open for what is presumably a long time? Assuming no ill effects, how well do these vintage systems adapt to the current R-134a refrigerant?
Pretty well, probably will need a new evaporator and condenser anyway due to how ever long the system was open, so might as well throw in the best performing units you can for 134. replace the troublesome York compressor for a Sanden unit and it’d hang meat in the car.
I would easily go with the T-Bird, I’ve always liked the late 60’s Thunderbird coupes a lot, then again I consider the late 60’s to 1970 to be the golden era of the automotive industry, I was never a big fan of the late 70’s Chrysler personal luxury coupes and this is coming from someone who likes the last of the GM personal luxury coupes.
I appreciate the enthusiasm of the fans of the 67 Thunderbird here but I’ve never liked the car, not then or now. I’m admittedly biased because we had a 65 and I prefer its crisp lines and more distinctive, uncluttered, “jet-age” interior. Also, the two people I know who bought the 67 new had myriad problems with the cars so that colors my view. Our 65 was largely trouble free.
My great aunt had a new Cordoba of that vintage but it was a brighter (unfaded?) metallic blue with a white vinyl top, white leather interior with bucket seats/console, and more lavishly equipped. This one for sale looks far less distinctive and very plain. The hit or miss quality of these cars was amazing. The aunt’s car was very good quality and reliable so my cousin bought a new one a year later – it was a total lemon that they ended up trading for a new Audi 5000 in 78. Believe it or not, the Audi was a far more reliable car (though not without issues).
I would definitely say the Thunderbird. I actually am a fan of the 67-69 designed T-birds, I don’t know why I just am. I really like the maroon color, it will run pretty well, and it just has a certain presence to it. Honestly if it was a rare sedan version, I would take it in a heartbeat if I had the cash.
The Cordoba is just too much like playing the lottery, so many build quality faults, so many mechanical issues, and all for a car that I don’t even think was the best option for a PLC in 77. I can think of many cars from 77 I would rather have in the same or similar category. The T-bird, Cougar, Mark V, New Yorker, Toronado, Cutlass Supreme, even the Eldorado are all more attractive options than the Cordoba. The color isn’t great either, I’ve never liked that powder baby blue color on any car.
Oh, I don’t know … if I had the money and the means, I wouldn’t mind buying a Chrysler Cordoba. However, I wouldn’t keep it stock. On the contrary, I would do a Pro-Touring build … keep it looking stock on the outside, but give it the high performance technology of today, not to mention take care of the build quality faults.
My vision for a Pro-Touring Cordoba would be something similar to this 1968 Plymouth GTX convertible clone, but the wheels and paint job would be different.
I’d get the ‘bird. I’ve driven a 4 door 68, equipped with the 429, and performance is …leisurely at best. It was no faster to 60mph than my 77 Chevelle, and the Chevy has a itty-bitty 305 powering it.
There is something about the T-bird though that makes it feel nicer than Ma Mopar’s offering to me.
‘Bird all the way. The Cordoba just comes across as a cheap Colonade Monte Carlo wanna-be.
What’s a Cordoba without rich Corinthian leather? Not something I’d want to drive. Admittedly I’m not a fan of 1st-gen Cordobas in general, but this one in particular just looks…kind of cheap.
The ’67 to ’69 T-birds, on the other hand, I’m a big fan of. The ’67 in particular with its jet intake inspired styling is the purest expression. I like the four-doors quite a lot; the two-doors, like this one, benefit from removal of the vinyl top and landau bars. Just works better in my opinion. The featured car would be a great drive as-is (assuming the A/C can be made to work again) but if it ever needed a respray, a vinyl-ectomy would be performed.
No, no! The vinyl top and landau bars are integral to the design essence for this era. Making it a slick top would be like giving Sofia Lauren a pixie cut.
Sophia Loren
I was thinking of a different do, “pixie” probably isn’t the name then.
Even La Loren can have a bad hair day.
I think the 67 shape works without the landau/vinyl. I’m a bit of a fan of these – to me its actually quite a sophisticated shape – but with so many amazing US car designs, these glamours have to wait in the queue.
It’s not even the vinyl so much as the landau bars that bother me (I don’t like them on the flair birds either). But they were available from the factory without–found this photo of a nice slicktop ’67, is this so bad?
It makes it look too sporty, but maybe its just because I always see them with the vinyl and the landau bars that that look just looks “right” to me and the slick top just does not look right.
Even with that low mileage on the Cordoba, I guess it should have undercoating, as a car that old without undercoating it would be horrifyingly rusted by this mileage.
I like the Cordoba, but in this stage of the game wherein an Eldorado or Mark of a similar vintage could be had for around the same money, I’d rather get the Caddy or Lincoln. The Córdoba is just too small for that era of luxobarges.
I do rather like that era of Thunderbird, complete with factory landau bars. That I might even rather have than the Mk. III or Eldo for the time period. Ok, maybe not the Eldo…
If I could fit into that old pair of bellbottom pants and turtleneck sweater, I’d light up a Lucky Strike and take off in that ’67 Thunderbird. Say it slowly and it makes the magic of the Sixties come alive again.
Make mine the Tbird. Never actually driven one of these, but anything with the FE motor is a smooth cruiser. I have driven a 75 Córdoba 400 lean burn and remember it would run strong, but didn’t want to idle smoothly. The one for sale here is loaded with bondo in that drivers rear quarter panel. You can see it if you look closely. These bodies rusted almost immediately here in the rust belt. The one I drove had rust in the quarters in the 1980’s.
Definitely the Thunderbird. I’ve always liked these, ever since I saw a new one as a teenager. And I’m not fussed about it ‘only’ having the 390; these cars are for cruising, although, that being said, I can’t wait to experience the acceleration with a ‘300:1’ diff ratio!
All three “Cordoba” script emblems are missing from the body of the Chrysler. I wonder if they broke while being removed (they were adhesive-bonded) and that what we are looking at is a cheap synthetic-enamel repaint in which the clear paint base has oxidized…you know, the kind where your rag turns black when you try to polish it.
My brother had a Cordoba like that when he toured the west coast, given a choice I’d go for the T bird, while not really a fan my bros description of how the Cordoba drove did it no favours. T Bird.
I’d take the Cordoba, if only because my father would be tickled to find one in such good condition.
Though I see the T-Bird as something more “exclusive,” here’s sort of a split-the-difference car: a BIG ’78 Mercury looking pretty good at $3500: http://chicago.craigslist.org/nwi/cto/5487512860.html
^^^^^^Darn it, I clicked “Post Comment” without attaching the sample pic:
I would definitely go for the cordoba. I had 3..2 78’s and a 79 and loved them all.
although the comment made earlier about the neighbours not starting on the rain brought back memories. that was more of a mopar trademark than just cordobas. anyone who drove them on a regular basis knew to keep a can of wd-40 in the glovebox to spray the wires.
I always remember someone saying their dodge was so sensitive that if a dog peed on the tire it wouldn’t start. I laughed..but understood exactly what he meant!!
My dad had a ’68 Tbird 4-door Landau. It was gold with black interior and featured the first year 429 Thunderjet engine and C6. I remember how smooth that drivetrain felt. I also tried to talk Dad into a brand new Cordoba years later. He had a ’73 Tbird at the time, and in retrospect really not comparable as that T-bird is 5000 lbs of heaven never to be seen from Detroit again. Dad spent the last 25 years of his life happily driving Caddy’s.
I had a 67 Bird, back when the earth was young…the 390 that the starter could barely turn over when it was hot…the oil leaks…constantly chasing hissing sounds to find which vacuum hose was leaking *this* time, the glare from that chrome instrument panel.
With no vacuum, the headlight doors would not open. Fortunately, I discovered I could push them open by hand. Made it home without stopping so short that the doors slammed shut. Also corrected on the 70 Cougar, where the doors opened automatically with loss of vacuum.
I’d rather have a 68. I’d still be chasing split vacuum hoses, but no 390 and no chrome panel.
And for the record, I figure the last real Thunderbird was the 71. After that, they lost something. They gained more bulk, but something was missing. Maybe it was the loss of the aircraft theme interior, or the loss of the sculptured look for acres of nearly characterless sheetmetal with more chrome.
Is the 1967 Thunderbirds still for sale for 5,500