Back in 2006, I was blessed to have a terrific job as a sales manager. It was a job that allowed me to make a yearly bonus.
Normally, that money was earmarked for home renovations and family things. But my wife Cindy had become interested in classic cars, and together, we decided that we would put this money towards a classic Thunderbird.
After looking through the internet ads, we found a 1978 Thunderbird Diamond Jubilee that we both liked. It was a dream car for me ever since I’d seen one at the age of 16. A trim so popular that it was renamed the Heritage for 1979, a car that my dad had once offered to co-sign for if the deal was right. That didn’t happen.
The one found in the ad was a clean example and had a very rare moon roof. So we bought it. My son Jacob and I flew to Dallas, and my sister drove us just outside of Waco to pick it up.
Our trip home back to Ohio was uneventful and so much fun. Every time we stopped for gas, there were always a few people who wanted to know what this car was, and we explained it gladly. By the way, we averaged a terrific 18mpg with the car’s 351.
After arriving home, our new car (now named Dave by Jacob, after hearing the lyrics “ I’m not as good as I once was”), was treated to a full-on cleaning/shampooing in its spot in our garage.
We truly enjoyed driving that car everywhere. We drove it to Columbus for a car show or two, drove down to Cincinnati, and over to Mansfield for a train ride through the fall colors.
Sadly, all would abruptly end in 2009, when I was told I was “ no longer needed at my job.” Those were very hard years for everyone, so I’m not singling my family out. We were fortunate to have equity in that Thunderbird and decided to sell it for our necessities. It went to a man who I was told restored and cared for all things Thunderbird.
But this wouldn’t be the end.
Cindy and I knew we wanted another Diamond Jubilee someday, and while not aggressively looking, one found us. Allow me to explain.
I have a 1976 Continental Mark IV that I wrote about here recently. During the restoration process, which is far from complete, I made a friend; Dan out in California.
With 86,000 one-owner miles, a moon roof, 400 engine, and needing a transmission due to the elderly owner accidentally putting motor oil into the transmission, it is being treated to a full recovery.
This man knows so much about everything Ford it is amazing. Dan picks up cars that can be sold as runners needing restoration or for parts only. In one of his pictures, I spotted a 1978 Diamond Jubilee and instantly sent him a message about it.
He told me he had taken his driver’s test in one just like it and wasn’t willing to sell it. All I asked him was, should he change his mind, to please let me have first right to buy it.
At the time, Ford was the father of all things Brougham, so it wouldn’t surprise me at all if you could get your new Ford lawn tractor with two-tone paint, hidden headlights, and a velour seat!
It was right around Christmas in 2020 when I was checking in with Dan to wish him a Merry Christmas. He asked me if I was serious about buying his Thunderbird, to which I replied we were very serious. He made me an offer, and I turned to Cindy to ask her thoughts. She had one request: a moon roof. Dan said that, in fact, the car had a moon roof. With that, a deal was made, and I told Cindy it was her Christmas gift from me.
After repeated attempts to have this car shipped from SoCal home to Tennessee, no one was interested due to the pandemic. Dan was very gracious to not only hold the car but to start it and keep it in good running order.
Finally, in 2023, after the purchase of a new 2022 Silverado, my lifetime friend Donnie agreed to drive out with me and pick up this “new” car.
“Victoria” receives attention.
This car was bought off the showroom floor on Valentine’s Day of 1978 by a doctor for his wife. As said earlier, I gave this to Cindy as a gift. It’s the gift that keeps on giving.
Cindy has named her car Victoria. And stay tuned, as I plan to show pictures of the process as it comes up.
My view as I write this. Dedicated to Cindy, my loving, caring best friend and wife. Thanks for putting up with me and sharing my passion for old cars.
Related CC reading:
Vintage Reviews: 1977 Ford Thunderbird – A New Kind Of Thunder
Despite the strange windows, I like these TBirds better than the Mark V & VI. There’s just enough curve in the fender line.
I like the “LTD II”, much more. These west too big , like most of the “70’s, editions, to be “T Birds”.
$40 shy of $12k was a lot of coin for a new car in 1978! I remember that Diamond Blue paint back then and really liked it.
It is a great story when the Mrs. is as into the car as you are. Most of us do not enjoy that luxury!
I prefer having the rear side window without that panel, giving the car a huge blindspot. Agree, the extra cost of these “special editions” or even the number of options available can really drive up the price of the car. So when my dad ordered his T-Bird new in 1977, he kept the costs down by ordering just the stuff he wanted, a/c, the largest engine avail, the 400-2v, the colour he wanted, sport instrumentation incl tach and other gauges, with an alum. looking engine turned panel rather than woodgrain, cruise control, bumper guards/ strips, and a few other options, but manual seats, no sunroof. Attached a pic of his from 1977. Quite a stylish car in its day, even nicer if we could see one restored today. Too bad we couldn’t keep all the old cars we had before.
My first thought when reading this and seeing the window sticker was the same as JPC’s…that was a surprisingly expensive car in 1978!
Thanks Chip for a great story, and I look forward to hearing more about Victoria’s return to broughmy splendor. I’d also be interested in hearing more about the car’s history. That’s a lot of surface rust on the hood and left fender for a car that had only 86,000 miles. It should be a lot of fun once you get it all shiny again.
Something mesmerizing about these. The color coordinated wheels, roof and seating really bring it home. Great story Chip.
Hmm, so this car was 28 years old when you bought it as a classic car. Putting this in perspective, sure a car from 1996 today (the same distance into the past) would be considered quite old, but it probably wouldn’t be seen as a classic by most people. My friend’s daily driver 1993 Mazda MX-3 is usually just seen as “a weird old car” by most people. Honestly, not that many people pay my 1985 Mercedes 300D much mind either even though it’s clearly from a much older era. Maybe this is just a comment on how little the general population actually cares about cars.
Either way, great post.
Our 1993 Nissan 240Sx convertible is not classic but it does draw questions and conversations. We bought it new in September 1993 at Nissan of Vacaville when we were stationed at Travis AFB. It now has 37,000 miles.
In “2010”, I too was given the gift of “unemployment”. “50th”, b/day gift I’ll forever remember. Of course, as good things come in “multiples”, after losing my insurance I became ill, had a surgery and a stroke.
Hope the best for you and the”bird”.
At first, I saw these as a kind of consolation prize after the Lincoln based T Birds. But these really came into their own with the top level option packages. They could very plush, better than the Monte Carlo and other competitors, they really conveyed the Luxury image. Good luck with your restoration. My ’96 Mustang is now 28 years old, it’s not considered a classic model like the ’66-’73’s, but for many people the SN 95 was the Mustang they knew from their youth, much like the earlier Fox body cars. They can be seen as just old cars by many, but when they are in good condition can draw quite a bit of attention. It’s a Classic if you feel that way about it. Can’t wait to see it’s renovation.
What a sweet and heartfelt article ..Kudos to your wife for understanding and allowing you to include her in your life’s work .
I look forward to the reports of forward progress and those frustrating moments and learning times too .
It looks like the engine’s been out, I hope they replaced at the very least the cam gears and chain with older pre – smog versions .
-Nate