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Beaked Badass: Can You Overlook This 1971 Ford Thunderbird’s Face For The Good Stuff It’s Got?


Beaked Badass: Can You Overlook This 1971 Ford Thunderbird’s Face For The Good Stuff It’s Got?

It’s called a Bunkie Beak. It was supposed to project the image of the beak of a bird of prey, but instead it looked like the fifth-generation Ford Thunderbird had undergone a rhinoplasty so horrific that it should have it’s own show on cable television. There is no doubt that T-birds of this era were land barges tuned for comfort, with little to no “sport” about them. They were for the guy who liked the idea of having a Lincoln, but didn’t want to pay the Lincoln price…or was concerned about becoming a mob target. At least the engine roster was an all-big-cube affair: the base engine was the 390, and the 428 and 429s were the options. Good thing, too, because at two and a half tons, the Thunderbird was one gigantic turkey of a luxo-sled.

We found this one digging through Craigslist and we have to admit, the seller seems enthusiastic about the car, even though the mods come off as relatively minor. We have to admit, the car is really clean in the pictures, so we wonder if just some minor touch-up work would be all that’s needed…well, that, and a Roots blower. Look, you can’t hurt the look of the front-end any worse than Bunkie did, at least give it the grunt and the look of a mental patient who enjoys being quite comfortable while letting the cubic inches speak for him!


71 Tbird 2 door landau
Ford Big block 429 thunderjet
3-speed automatic
Custom air intake manifold
Header back 2.5″ Flowmaster exhaust
Holley 750cfm racing carburetor
Racing rims and brand new tires

This beast hauls balls!!
I’m moving to another country or I would be using this as my daily driver!

The seats are in good condition under the original seat covers. Small rip on back seat.

No issues. Fires right up, engine is strong.
has been taken care of. Clean title in hand.

More tire. More blower. More violence. And the comforts that even late-model stuff struggles to touch. Ok, we can see a possible case for the car. We do kind of wish it was the fastback shape, though.

Craigslist Link: 1971 Ford Thunderbird Landau coupe


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7 thoughts on “Beaked Badass: Can You Overlook This 1971 Ford Thunderbird’s Face For The Good Stuff It’s Got?

  1. Gavin

    Always thought these were kind of neat, and have no problems with the nose, in fact, I like it. Ford had a few interesting grille designs in the day, (1970’s Cyclone Spoilers, mid-70’s Torino’s?), but then I appreciate this period in design. However, … holy epic blind spots in those rear quarters behind the doors! Must be a bit like driving a sedan delivery. That said, it’s a clean, and I imagine, a super comfy, tire smokin’ survivor. Enjoy it as-is or possibly invest in some newer suspension, big brakes, and some PT type wheels. Whatever the path, a cool, rare car.

  2. Greg

    I like this era, although the 1967-69 models were more attractive. I feel the four door models were especially cool, with suicide rear doors.

  3. Anthony

    These haul ass good . My buddy had one for a while,really mint very low miles. Could pass anything but a gas station. Liked Hi test always.

  4. chevy hatin' mad geordie

    Gloss black paint, flat black powder coated chrome and a crate Coyote Motor would do the trick!

  5. KCR

    These birds are an unsung cool cruiser .Big block and a great ride .This would be a great driver. But he is 10k firm,good luck on that

  6. Tom P

    They sure missed on that front end. If they used the hideaway headlights and grille like the LTD had it would have been much more attractive.

    I had a 67 4 door, back around 1978. I still have parts from it I can’t get rid of.

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