November

November 20, 2009

Rare Option: Ford Thunderbird Autolamp and Automatic Headlamp Dimmer Unknown to many, an automatic headlamp dimmer option was authorized by the factory for installation on 1964-1969 Thunderbirds. This option isn't mentioned in owner's manuals, shop manuals, or even as an available accessory in brochures, but it was indeed offered. Ford used Guide-Matic units during this time, and the availability of this option has created some controversy and confusion even among Thunderbird "experts." Also discussed is the 1974-1976 Autolamp option.

November 18, 2009

Thanksgiving Thunderbird Our annual Thanksgiving Thunderbird page returns this year, all about what was going on in 1969 on Thanksgiving Day. This feature started over six years ago, with the story of Los Angeles radio station KHJ giving away a new Ford Thunderbird as a Thanksgiving Holiday promotion. Since then, we've added something new each year to the page. This year we included some 1969 trivia and a few statistics. For instance, did you know that a ticket to Woodstock cost $6.00?

November 14, 2009

1978 Cadillac Fleetwood Eldorado Custom Biarritz Classic This was the end of the line for the full-sized Eldorado, and at the last minute Cadillac Division teamed up with American Sunroof to create a special edition model of which just 2,000 copies would be made. Distinctive with its duo-tone paint and interior trim treatment, some believe Cadillac pushed good taste to the very edge, while others feel it was an appropriate send off to Cadillac's last full-sized motorcar.

November 12, 2009

1970 Lincoln Continental The first altogether new Lincoln Continental in nearly a decade, the 1970 Lincolns were bigger in every dimension and offered new features and luxuries while retaining the traditional Lincoln "look" that was so important in the luxury car field.

November 10, 2009

1972 Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight Regency Built to honor Oldsmobile Division's 75th Anniversary, the Regency included a timepiece designed by Tiffany & Company. A sterling silver key ring was registered at Tiffany's, and if the keys were ever lost they could be placed in any mail box, and Tiffany's would return them to the registered owner. Only 5,000 were built for 1972, and the Regency became a full-production model the following year.

October

October 21, 2009

AUTO BREVITY
Sequential Rear Turn Signals Introduced on the 1965 Thunderbird, sequential turn signals have been a factory-installed feature of very few cars. Standard on the 1965-1971 Ford Thunderbird, 1967-1973 Mercury Cougar, 1969 (Chrysler) Imperial, and now re-introduced on the 2010 Ford Mustang. They have, however, enjoyed a robust after market following, with owners converting just about anything with three taillights to sequential signals.

October 10, 2009

1977 Lincoln Continental Fixed Glass Moonroof Option This is one you don't often see, offered for just three years on the 2-door and 4-door Lincoln Continental models. Not officially available on the Continental Mark V, although we've heard reports that a couple of them were built that way, but at this time those reports are unsubstantiated. Two different glass sizes were used depending on the model. Some background is provided on the 1954 Mercury Sun Valley as well, which is likely the inspiration for the option.

October 7, 2009

1952-1979 Lincoln Would you like to live the Continental Life? If you enjoy all things fine, especially in the motorcar you choose to drive, chances are you would. Lincoln has a long and distinguished history, and experienced a period of uncertainty prior to its landmark 1961 design. AM will cover the 1952-1979 period, beginning with the 1970 and 1971 model years, which are being worked on now.

October 3, 2009

AUTO BREVITY
Anti-Lock Brake Systems In development and testing for over a decade before being installed on any cars, this system was sophisticated for the time and worked very well. Available at first on expensive luxury cars, most customers weren't interested in paying extra for the option, but it was made standard on the 1970 Continental Mark III.

October 2, 2009

1969 Cadillac Contents
1970 Cadillac Contents Both sections are now online! Cadillac set a new all-time sales record for 1970, as well as bid farewell to three models! The 1969 models were the first styled to emulate the popular Eldorado, which was not exactly your traditional Cadillac when it was introduced a couple of years earlier. During both years, Cadillac built 11 models in three series on four wheelbases!

October 1, 2009

1970 Cadillac Contents The first step toward publication of the 1970 Cadillac section, advertised to be the spirit of the seventies by Cadillac at the time. Work is well underway, and should be complete and ready for proofreading soon.

September

September 30, 2009

The History of Golde Sunroof/American Sunroof Corporation (ASC) The story of Heinz Prechter, founder of American Sunroof Coporation (ASC) and how all those cool sixties and seventies cars were built with holes in their roof!

September 25, 2009

MILEPOSTS Garage
CARS/Cash For Clunkers Death List You might be surprised—even shocked—to see the vehicles turned in under the recent Cash For Clunkers program. In what reality is a 2005 Thunderbird a clunker worth only $4,500? We note some of the more shocking examples, including some collectible cars, and provide a link to the full list. Read it and weep.

September 21, 2009

1969 Cadillac Contents We begin our coverage of Cadillac's standard models by adding the 1969 Cadillacs to the site. They join the 1967-1970 Cadillac Fleetwood Eldorados, which are already online but have received a few updates as well. Cadillac sold its 4-millionth car in 1969, and the entire line had a fresh, elegant new look. (Specific data pages will be coming online over the next few days.)

September 18, 2009

1978-1979 Ford Thunderbird T-Roof Convertible This option, introduced mid-year 1978, allowed you to invite the sky inside by removing two tinted, tempered glass panels over the front seat. Offered for just two years, it was another reason why this series was such a popular seller at the time.

September 16, 2009

1979 Ford Thunderbird The final year of the most popular 3-year styling cycle in the Thunderbird's history! 1979 included new standard features, new options, new paint colors, new interior trim choices, styling updates, and other refinements—all of which made 1979 a great year to fly the Bird.

1970 Oldsmobile Toronado GT In this article, we separate the facts from the myths, and identify exactly what components are unique to the GT option, as well as how to document original cars with the GT option.

September 12, 2009

1979 Thunderbird Heritage Edition in Light Medium Blue The exclusive Heritage was initially offered in two monochromatic color combinations for 1979: Maroon and Light Medium Blue. This page illustrates and describes the features specific to the blue model.

1978 Ford Thunderbird This section is now live, with production figures, specifications, paint codes and color combinations, interior trim codes, vinyl roof colors and codes, lists for standard features and optional equipment, and more. With all the choices offered in 1978, it's easy to see why the T-bird was so popular.

September 5, 2009

The prep work continues on the 1977-1979 Thunderbirds. We've added the 1979 Ford Thunderbird Contents page, which is the main navigation page for that section. Most of the links aren't live yet, but they will be soon. We normally try to publish these pages first, as they establish a point for linking to all the other pages for that year, make, and model. An article, The Only Way to Fly, appears on the page.

September 4, 2009

1957-1960 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham We've added the main contents page for this line, along with some preliminary information on interior trim codes and exterior paint codes for the 1957 and 1958 models. The 1959 and 1960 cars will follow soon with this same information. This is just being provided in this form temporarily, we'll still have individual pages for everything as we always have. These cars were incredibly complex for their time, and they are still pretty incredible even when compared to today's cars, and that's pretty amazing given the 52 years that have passed since they sat in the showroom!

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