'79 T-Top 'Bird info sought

[Charles]

Hello everyone. Last year I bought a 1979 Thunderbird with T-Tops and have a couple questions that I hope someone has answers to.
Does anyone know how many were made with the removable roofs? Did Ford do the conversion in-house or sub it out? And finally, does anyone know a good source for bumpers? I just can not find any anywhere. Thanx for your time. Regards, Charles

 

[Gearworks]

it was sent out by ford to Kar Kraft. the only figure i have is for 1979 and there were repotedly only 450 'birds sent out to be "t roofed". as far as the bumpers go, i dont know what part of the country youre in, but "the bumper exchange" in chicago. is the only place ive found them. If you need any more info. specs or whatnot, let me know ill give ya anything i can! also, there are still a few of these birds left in the southwestern yards. get on "www.junk yard dog.com" and put out a request. if its out there they'll find it for you!

paul
moderator.
the gearworks
rockford, Illinois

[ 09-13-2003: Message edited by: Gearworks ]

 

[Charles]

Thank you kindly for the reply, Paul.
Kar Kraft is the same people who did the Boss 429 conversion, if I recall. Thanx for the leads on bumpers and the SouthWest yard website. Have a good one, Charles

 

[topsdown]

79 T-Top 'Bird info...

I am still working on production figures but the actual company that did the T-Roof conversion was Cars & Concepts in Detroit! I have a copy of an original Cars & Concepts T-Roof sales brochure that actually shows the 1977 Thunderbird available with the conversion. The actual Ford T-Roof option began as a mid year 1978 option that carried on into 1979.

Don Holton
Elmira, NY
1977-79 Thunderbird Registry
http://homepage.mac.com/kaholton/topsdown/bird77-79.html
Member of the International Thunderbird Club #1917:
http://www.intl-tbirdclub.com/
Member of the Upstate NY Thunderbird Club
http://community-2.webtv.net/tkneebis/upstatenytbirds/
2002 ITC Convention:
http://homepage.mac.com/kaholton/ITC/index.html
Rob Duddy's 2002 ITC show site (bulletbirds homepage)
http://www.t-birds.com/Galleries/ITC2002/index.html

 

[Gearworks]

thanks for clarifying that don. i too am trying to learn all the stats for my bird as well.!

 

[topsdown]

Feel free to send some pictures and information on your T-Roof Pro-Street off list
[email protected]
I would be very interested in seeing them. Have you ever seen Steve Shaffers 79 Pro Street T-Bird:
http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Shop/8663/
Look forward to hearing from you again!

 

[Gearworks]

hey don,

have you managed to get the troof production numbers for 1979 yet?

paul

 

[Birdman93]

Don-

You'll need to go back to the Mid-78 model year-that's when the T-roof production started.

 

[topsdown]

Thanks Tony, yes T-Roof sales began in Jaunary 1978 but neither Cars & Concepts (from all that I can tell the company went under) who did the conversion for Ford or Ford itself have been forth-coming with ANY information.

Take care and have a Happy, Healthy and Safe New Year!

Don Holton
Elmira, NY
1977-79 Thunderbird Registry
http://homepage.mac.com/kaholton/to.../bird77-79.html
Member of the International Thunderbird Club #1917:
http://www.intl-tbirdclub.com/
Member of the Upstate NY Thunderbird Club
http://community-2.webtv.net/tkneebis/upstatenytbirds/

 

[Birdman93]

Don-

Here's a company that has a name close to what you were looking for-maybe this is what used to be Cars & Concepts??

Valerio's Showcars & Concepts
9670 Gratiot Rd
Saginaw, MI 48609-9624
Phone: (989) 781-2210

 

[g_lower]

lets keep this thread alive and keep digging for the t-roof production info. I bought a 79 T-roof in February with 50,000 documented original miles and have been loving it ever since!!