Special Edition Thunderbirds

by Robert Pontiff


All Thunderbirds may become special as they age; However, Ford preordained certain models and option packages as special at inception. Body styles such as the 1962 and 1963 Sport Roadster are rare and valuable but Ford did not call them special. Special or Limited editions are distinguished from prototypes in that they were sold to the public, albeit, in limited Quantities.

The first Special was introduced in January 1963. This limited edition is known as the Monaco Landau and was designed as a tribute to Princess Grace of Monaco. Two thousand of these Landau coupes were produced. Each of these Specials had a white exterior with a rose-beige, uniquely-texture vinyl roof. The exterior was highlighted with special landau bars and simulated knock-off spinner wheel covers. The interiors of these cars were outfitted with white leather seats, rose-beige carpet, Simulated rosewood trim, white steering wheel and a Special Edition plaque above the heater controls.

A limited edition T-Bird was produced in 1965. This special Landau featured Emberglow or white exterior with a parchment-colored vinyl roof and color-coordinated wheel covers. There was also a special edition label at the roof belt-line. The interior was color-coordinated with the exterior with a unique upholstery color and had wood grain trim on the doors and dash. Four thousand, five hundred 1965 Specials were produced.

The Ford Design Studio produced a customized hardtop in 1967. This car called the Apollo, while primarily a design study, was produced in a limited quantity of five. This car has unique parking lights and cornering lamps.

Ford produced 20th Anniversary Thunderbirds in 1975 as option groups. There is little evidence that Ford tried to limit production and these cars were not labeled Special or Limit Edition. The two option packages were appropriately named based on the car's exterior color; 20th Anniversary Copper Option or 20th Anniversary Silver Option.

In 1978 Ford produced a Diamond Jubilee Edition in honor of Ford's 75th year. This car came in either Diamond Blue Metallic or Ember Metallic. The Diamond Jubilee had a unique vinyl roof treatment that closed in the rear-quarter glass. Ford produced 18,994 of these highly optioned cars. This car preceded the Heritage Thunderbird model of 1979.

The top-of-the-line Thunderbird in 1980 was the Silver Anniversary Edition. This highly optioned car had a special silver exterior paint and a special vinyl top.

The Thunderbird Anniversary editions became limited once again in 1985. The 30th Anniversary Thunderbird was medium Regatta Blue Clearcoat Metallic with loads of features. It came with special keys, a leather jacket for the driver, special badges on the dash and trunk lid, and unique floor mats among other things. Ford limited production to 5000 cars.

The 35th Anniversary Thunderbird was painted black and titanium and had the requisite special badges. This was a limited edition car and was based on the supercharged Super coupe. It also came with many of the extras that were provided with 1985 Anniversary T-bird. Only 3,371 35th Anniversary Thunderbirds were produced.