I bought my first house in 1977. The co-developer of the little subdivision lived in the (larger) house across the street. He had a pristine brown metallic 1970 T-Bird, in which I always assumed he had installed some unique aftermarket rear window brake lights. Now I know the truth! You never cease to inform.

"turned your Ford into a bordello". Now that is an option I would pay for.

One of the most impressive tail light assembly's of ANY car ever...

1970-71 are my favorite Thunderbirds, love the stylish sleek roofline and that powerful 429 under hood. An all around great car.

I don't know that I've ever seen a '70 Thunderbird, which feels weird. That is such a cool car...

Personally speaking i believe that the 1970 model year for American automobile manufacturers was simply the Pinnacle of design and power across the board. Every brand had some gorgeous designs. Im a Mercury guy, i have owned at least 8 1970 Mercury Montego MX , Brougham and a 351 Cleveland 4 speed Cyclone. I regret letting any of them get away. My Dad had a 1970 2 dr Bird and the backseat was just so cool, he bought it used in 1972, I was 8 years old. That began the love affair with FoMoCo products and 1970 cars of all brands. Great video and thanks for the memories it brought up. P.S. that Tbird would screw, one bad hombres.

The 70 and 71 Thunderbirds were just beautiful and unique! That Torino-esque roofline, the 429 V8 and all the different levels and trims. I had a 71 Special Brougham Sports roof with the Hopsack cloth trimmed buckets and console, and it was fantastic. Fewer than 200 cars were so equipped with those tail lights.

Those full width tail lights were more or less a Thunderbird trademark from 1970 through 1982. You could always spot a Thunderbird at night just by the tail lights.

I bought a 68 4 door was I was 18 years old. That was 1978. Burgundy with white vinyl top and black interior. Buckets and console. 429. Beautiful cars. I would sit in my folks living room at night to admire it parked under the streetlight at night. I was obsessed with that car.

In 1970 Ford Thunderbird magazine ads, they liked to position the 1970 Thunderbird in front of the new Boeing 747, stating 1970 is a "year for new birds" or something like that.

I received one of these '70 T-Bird sport coupes in 1975 for my 16th birthday. Apparently I'd been a very good boy!!! I had miles and smiles of fun in that car! It was white vinyl over gorgeous chocolate brown with the brown tufted cloth interior. How I loved that car!

A friend of mine's parents had some nice cars. When he got married, I got to drive their '64 T-Bird in the wedding. That car was like driving a cloud......A 23 year old tuxedo clad young man in a '64 T-Bird. I felt like Dean Martin. 😆

Fords of this era also had front AND rear side marker lamps wired to the parking-turn circuit in an alternating ground fashion, so that they flashed in synchrony with the turn signals when the parking lamps were off, and in opposition to the turn signals when on. GM started this in the '70s. All Fords that did this had the exact same generic recessed square side marker lenses (Maverick, Torino, Thunderbird, Montego). Honda used this in the '80s but stopped doing it sometime in the early to mid '90s.

This brings back memories! I bought a fully optioned black '70 Sport Coupe from a Ford engineer. It had been used as a test car by the Advanced Car team he managed to test various window seal and sound deadening materials. In order to get a good baseline, they disassembled the car and refit the body panels, windows and doors to exact design standards. When I bought the car from him, it would run as silent as a tomb at 80 - 85 mph. Sadly, as was common for cars of the era, especially in southeast Michigan, it succumbed to rust. I'd love to have that car back.

We had a 70 with the suicide doors. Us kids would love to watch the sequential turn lights.

My dad had a four-door '70 T-Bird. Absolutely gorgeous and incredibly fast. The interior was white leather and the back seat was a wraparound work of art. Spectacular car.

My grandfather always had a LTD in the 70s , always a great car to ride in

8:30 That rear ¾ view is FABULOUS.

In 1971 I was 6 years old, and I remember going to Gorno Ford on Fort Street in Wyandotte to look at Fords. They had a red four door Thunderbird in there, and I remember the red color and the red interior. I opened the door and the number of chrome buttons on the drivers door armrest was amazing! I also remember that nasty beaky grill that stuck out in the middle.... Great video!

I can remember admiring the 1970 T-Bird with the iconic Bunkie Nose as a kid when it first came out…. And still recall my Dad contemplating how it would fare in challenging parallel parking maneuvers in the city.

Those are so rare now, especially the 70 and 71 coupe with that lower roofline.

I never knew of those on a ‘70 T-Bird. I do remember the ‘71 Toronado as a kid. 👍😀

Mr. Wint and Mr. Kidd approve of this car !

-I read that the high mounted brake lights on the '71 and later Toronado's caused the government to issue the edict that '86 and later cars had to have a third high-mounted brake light. Insurance adjusters noted that these cars had FAR fewer rear end collisions and came to the conclusion that these lights were responsible.

I bet the high level taillights are a very rare option on the 1970 Thunderbird. I have never seen one with them. However, growing up in the 1970s, I have seen many, many GM cars with them on each side under the rear window, as you showed in this video.

I've always found the '70/'71 Thunderbird particularly striking in white, with the coordinated wheel covers. In addition to the "Bunkie Beak" front end, the 1970 Thunderbird appears to have no front bumper, just chrome trim highlighting the grille and headlight pockets. The front pan below the "bumperettes" was usually painted body color, but I did see one 1971 Thunderbird 4-door with the lower pan chromed giving the front end a rather odd appearance. Unusual styling considering federal bumper standards were just three years away. Thank you, Adam.

In 1973 I bought a 71 Bird two door Landau. The 70 hardtop that you showcased without a vinyl top is the best looking of the model. My Landau two door was the worst, both in looks and not being able to see out the rear as you back out of a parking spot. I owned the car for about three years and it was surprisingly quick and got good mileage with the high compression 429. I then bought a 72 Bird which had a much better air conditioner but lacked the power and fuel mileage because of the low compression 429. However, the 72 road much better than the 71. I have never heard of or seen the high mounted brake lights. I wonder if they ever were actually produced?

These are some great looking cars

I love the tail lights on this model. I've always loved the tail lights that take up the whole rearend of the vehicle.

My Uncle had a new 1970 4-door Thunderbird in Competition Blue with a black vinyl roof. Loved the suicide doors and tail lights. That car was really fast with the 429. I agree with you Adam, that were a great ride and the back seat was like a couch!!

Loved the review. Check out the 1949 (and earlier) Plymouth! My father had one and check the web for images of the sloping trunk with a high mounted stop light in the middle of the trunk. Always liked that. Purchased a new 2003 "retro" T-Bird in Baby Blue years ago as my every day car. 100,000+ miles and going strong. Thanks for your work here!

The 70 T-Bird, not counting the 57, is one of the best T-Birds ever......

Tbirds went from one extreme to the other in terms of looks. Love some hate some. Absolutely love the sport coupe in this video. Drop dead sexy!

My parents had a black 1968 Thunderbird coupe with a 429 cubic inch V-8 with a Burgundy leather interior.

I was not aware of this option for the 1970 Thunderbird I knew that it was mandated in 1986 for all cars. Great information and well delivered! Adam, Thank You.

Amazing find! Never knew the T-bird offered high mounted stop lamps as an option, and in 1970 no less. Never saw one, and I wonder how many cars were equipped with these. Whoever designed the front end was definitely not talking to the rear end designer.

My uncle owned Tbirds from 1970 on thru 1976 great riding cars

My did worked in a Ford dealership in 1970. I don't remember ever seeing the high-mounted tail lamps. I remember they had a fabulous stereo radio which was quite the novelty at that time.

The 1941-1948 Lincoln Continental also had a center mounted third brake light. Like the 1942 Chrysler, the Continental’s third light wasn’t high, it was pretty much in the middle of the Continental kit, but it was a huge improvement over the two minuscule tail lamps on the rear fenders.

That’s a beautiful bird.

My fav T bird is the '69 with da peek a boo headlights

Nice car for sure, thanks Adam. We've never ever seen or heard of these lights before on this year/model.

The C6 in these land-yacht T-BIrds is about as bomb-proof an automatic as can be.

That 70 Thunderbird sport coupe was beautiful. Love your videos Adam.

I had a 74 Riv as my first car! Red with black guts..... LOVED IT!!

So many excellent new videos recently! Thank you for all the work you do. Things of beauty are a joy forever!

Adam...i love that you've favorably showcased the "glamour" 'Birds. I've posted on prior videos my love for my parents' 1967 4-Door 428 model and 1968 2-door 429 Coupe (no vinyl top thank God)...they had their peccadillos but were very durable vehicles(zero issues with the engines or transmissions) that brought our family much delight. I miss the times and the cars very much.

1970 T-Bird trunk was worth a look inside. It's huge and 'sculpted'

"Glamour Birds" are wicked sick, and although still heavy, lighter than a Mark III.

One of the most impressive tail light assembly's!!!

The 74-76 Rivieras are underrated. A lot more interesting than opinions indicate.

Adam, this is one of my favorite videos you’ve done. Through the perspective of design, and the mystery of the high CHMSL, you not only revealed a greater appreciation for this chapter of Thunderbird styling for me than I have ever had before, but also applied to it a bit of Riviera/Toronado history and critical thinking that created an even fuller picture overall of the question and the evolution of the CHMSL. Thanks!

I liked the boat tail rivieras, they were revolutionary!

beautiful from the rear for sure, not quite so impressed by the "beak" nose though. But, the 72 was surely "watered down"..

A great episode, Adam! I have neve seen a car equipped this forward-looking feature in the wild either, though I have seen a lens for sale on eBay. FYI, the "Lamps, Supplemental Brake with turn signal indicators" option was available in the 1969 model year for $33.70, according to my Ford Manufacturer's Label Prices pocket guide dated October 7, 1968. Interestingly, There is also a black and white photo of the option in the 1969 Dealer Facts Book. in the January, 1970 version of the Label Prices book that I have, they are not mentioned, nor is a price given. Perhaps they were either discontinued due to a poor installation rate, or temporarily unavailable. And like you, I think that the Sepcial Brougham option available for the 1960 and 1971 two-door Thunderbirds was quite stunning. With respect to the fabric -- that hopsack cloth was very popular in home furnishings of the time.

Thank you Adam. I did not know Ford was first in this respect. This was interesting to learn. I appreciated you showing the Oldsmobile Toronado and Buick Riviera with this feature. This 1970-1971 Thunderbird has styling and themes that appeared later on the 1980's Thunderbirds. You can see the influence. Thank you for sharing the design theme that went from the Cadillac design studio to Buick on the Riviera. GM did that a lot. I rode in the 1976 version of that Riviera with that same rear styling. That was a nice way of describing the 1977-1978 Buick Riviera. It was a dressed up LeSabre. Better things were ahead for 1979. I was told that front end styling on the Thunderbird was prompted by Pontiac. You have to give credit to Ford for that interior for the details.

I never cared for the 'nose' on those, nor had I heard of the brake lights.I Love the tail end of these, but will have to choose the 69 4-dr. Thank you,as always, for your videos.

I was born too late (1962). I was too young to buy all of these great cars from the 1960’s and 70’s.

My father was a Ford salesman from 1960 to 1982 he would get a new demo car every 2 weeks, mostly country squires (LTD Station wagon), but occasionally, he would bring home a T-Bird, the smoothest ride ever. Once he came home with the black mariya (fully optioned black on black T-Bird), he gave me a ride to the roller rink in it for my eleventh (1970) birthday. I felt so cool.

My mom and dad bought a 1970 thunderbird brand new (candyapple red with a white vinyl top and ivory and black interior. Other cool features of the 1970 only: Antennae integrated into the windshield (two tiny wires) and the color coded front bumper (1971 had a regular antennae on the fender and stainless steel front bumper). Mom and dad gave the 1970 to me 20 years ago and it rests during the winter next to my 1964 Thunderbird convertible. I love my birds.

While I own a 1991 Thunderbird, I hadn't been aware of the history of the full width tail lamps. The 89-93 models had separate left and right lenses that wrapped all the way over the license plate in the rear deck and met right in the middle. Even though they weren't illuminated all the way across, they do have reflectors under the plastic shell. It's neat to know the later designers were calling back to previous models with that little detail.

Love that four door model. There used to be a light blue one in my town where I lived back in the 80’s and early 90’s.

Had a Cougar XR7 from 72 blue with 1/2 white vinyl and striped cloth interior...CJ 351 auto and bias ply tires...quick and comfy just stay out of the back seat!! Thx!

My best friends mom had a fiirst year mark iv had those high brake lights.....It was purchased new while displayed at the Detroit Auto Show.

Back when I was in school in the late 70s & early 80s, a friend of mines dad had a brown 2 door 70 t-bird. I thought it was just gorgeous!

One of my Eleanor's..lol My Uncle Don had a triple black 70' with the Thunderjet.that car was soooo fast once it got past 20-25 mph..from a rolling start it was a rocket.

Great video Adam I’d like the history. It’s kind of neat to learn all this thank you again and keep them coming.🇨🇦

Growing up, the neighbor behind us had a Beak-Bird with the formal roof and wrap around rear upholstery. Then the neighbor across the street bought one of the super fastbacks. Good times... 😌

6:46. The safety gained from the high mount taillights more than makes up for the unbelted 6-yr old on Grandma’s lap.

i love this car.

The '67-'69 Thunderbirds looked great! The later ones? Can't get past that beak...

There was a time in I believe in 1937 when Oldsmobile had high mounted tailights. They were mounted on the sides near where the roof and rear quarter panel met.

1963 Studebaker Wagonaire had the tail lights mounted right above the belt line. It also had a crazy retractable roof in the back.

That 1942 Chrysler definitely checks the CHMSL criteria considering the add ons on low slung 80s convertibles

Yes, the 70 Thunderbird Sport Coupe was a very good design. The view you have presented is great. I really like the wrap around rear seat especially in leather.

"Hopsack" was the counterbalance to "Panty Cloth".

Ford did it right in my view. The FORDOR had a 5" longer wheelbase than the Coupe'. Tough decission if I had to choose.

My family had a ‘71 coupe with the more formal roofline like the 4 door with the wraparound leather back seat. Wonderful car to drive and for road trips. Extremely comfortable. In the dark green that was so prevalent at the time. My uncle had same green in one with the sporty roofline and hopsack bucket seats. Just amazing cars that has no problem on Texas highways at 70 - 80 mph…. By the way, the front end/nose was a pewter type metal that cracked and fell away in an accident. The original impact bumper?? Learned all about that on day 3 when Mom got hit after dropping us off at school…

LOVE those T Birds.

These t-birds were really nice and quiet cars. They were definitely a cut above the norm. Not a huge fan of the 72 front end and actually I liked the 77-79 Front view much better. They were indeed cheapened down but still a nice car. I owned a ‘78 and it really was a good car. I came from a ‘74 Monte Carlo and was amazed how much quieter, smoother, build quality and reliable the thunder chicken, (as I affectionately called it) was in almost every way, though handling was lesser.

One of those T-Birds did remind me of the 1975 Couger XR-7. That is a very nice car I am waiting to see on the channel.

I own a 1970 Thunderbird and I was not aware of this option. Mine has the "Bordello" cloth interior with power seats and windows, AM radio and no cruise or tilt wheel. Marti report says 36,847 total were built.

The story I remember is that the feds and insurance companies noticed a statistical anomaly in the rear end collision data of the Toronado and guessed that the deck lid lights were the reason.

I'm glad that you showed the GM cars that had the rear lights. I was watching about the Thunderbirds. (Which I haven't seen either.) I knew that I had seen them before. But I couldn't remember which ones they were. I thought that they were a great idea. Maybe not as noticeable as the sequencel lights. But still really nice. I remember they were on the hood also. Right behind the hood scoop.

You might want to look at the ‘55 and ‘56 Imperials with those “gunsight” tail lights mounted on top of the fins.

1970 Thunderbird, My first car. I purchased it in 1982 for $800 dollars. I was 17 years old! Loved the big back seat and I'm telling you this car would cruise and burn rubber, lol. My next car was a trans am but thats another story, lol. Thanks for the memories.

I had a 74 Riviera. I miss it.

Probably an idea (like Bunkie noses) that Bunkie Knudsen (or one of his assistants) brought over from GM who knew it was going to be on the 71 Toronado.

My mom had that bird. The 429 Thunderjet motor was harmonically balanced, and loaded with power.

If you didn't like the Hopsack interior you could get leather or what the salesmen referred to as "Panty Cloth". I had panty cloth bench seats in a 1968 Fairlane with a 200 inline six, auto. I paid about $400 for it, the seats were very comfortable, and you couldn't kill that motor or tranny.

My friends brother had a 1970 Thunderbird it was like a second car for him so on the weekends he would let us use it loved interior that car also I love that big 460 engine that it had. At least I think it was a 460 and we had good times with that car.

I seem to remember pics of a late 30's Graham or something equally obscure that had stop lamps/turn signals at the base of each C pillar that wrapped around toward the back.

Haven’t see any of these at any car shows or meets that I can remember! I can remember the wild modern advanced sequential turn signals on these. Somehow the broad shouldered trunk and the ====> signals were fantastic! I’d give the Toronado the credit on the taillights. Seemed odd then but definitely had a safety benefit!

The high-level window mounted stop lamps were for sure an option for 1969 and perhaps 1968. They are described and shown with diagrams, schematics and part numbers in the electrical section of the 1969 Thunderbird shop manual. They were only available on the 4-door Landau.

Good Video/Info.

Wow, so many good little tidbits in this one Adam! It appears that the Thunderbird had the first Ford cruise control buttons on the steering wheel spokes - but only on the standard wheel, not the rim-blow wheel, which explains why Lincoln still had the cruise button on the turn signal lever for another couple years... It also reminded me of how much of the Cougar, the "upscale Mustang", in fact came from the Thunderbird. The sequential turn signals, the warning lights above the rear view mirror, the tilt away wheel... And those two deep red interiors are just freaking gorgeous! One last observation, on that '74 Riviera, is that the upper brake / turn lights were separated into three distinct lenses on each side - almost as though they were going to make those sequential. 😋

Great car. The Thunderbirds of the era can't be beat.

From the rear, these are great looking cars - almost Dodge Charger like. I don't care for the Bunkie Beak, as I think the hidden headlights and the "jet intake" front fascia of the 1967-69 Birds was a better look. In any event with the not-yet emissions choked 429 under the hood, these Birds had some get up and go!

I agree. Man what a sharp car that black one is.

When I was a kid, our neighbors had a white with black top four door T-bird, which I'd guess was a '67 or '68, We had a '70 LTD four door hardtop in the same color scheme.