1972 Ford Thunderbird

Neato torpedo!

Very nice model!  But I wish to digress, on my soapbox again.

Ford really messed up when they changed the original 2-seat T-bird to copy-cat other models in their line, to save money, of course.  This one looks like it was based on the Mercury Montego- I had a 72 model, and it was a real dog.  Didn't keep it very long.  It was a "Grandpa car" with no endearing features and was a gas hog.  My car was the same color as your model, which I soon realized was not very attractive to me.  Just a note from "memory lane."

My parents had a gold 72 or 73 Montego station wagon.  No clue how it performed (I was a little kid) but it had a rear facing seat in back and it was perfect for drive in movies.  That TBird is definitely from the age When Dinosaurs Strode the Earth.  Ugly car, well done model.  

Hmmm;

  Having owned a 72, I have to say Otaki Really dropped the ball. The Kit inside In no way reflects the shape of the actual car. Look at the box cover and look at the model. The Grille on the model is wrong. Look at the Box Art. That part is correct in the picture. There's to much downward slant to the rear fenders.They were darned near vertical in back as seen from the side.

    The lower side window sill did not cut upwards at the door. Rather it was a gentle tight curve behind the door opening.The heighth from the top of the trunk to the tailight was much lower to the trim and again a tighter curve. The Tail-Lights were almost Square at the top outside corners.

 Okay that covers the bad molding. YOU came close to getting this Sows Ear looking like a Silk Purse !! You did well with what you had. Clean Building Style, Good Color choice and Overall a clean handsome build. The color is not far from what mine was. They called it Honey Gold and it was a NON-Metallic. I called it " Honey Mustard"

Hi Chuck;

   Actually, the Montego made it's 72 Debut somewhat later in the year. Looking like a blend of T-Bird and The Fastback Ford and Mercury Cougar of the day. Except the FastBack of course.

 Now as to the actual points of the car. It was Luxurious, Comfortable Riding and Fast ( I had the 460) uptuned by my local "Fordy" Speed Shop.. I took the option list and filled out every square I could except exterranous trim Chotskes.

 I even had Kelsey-Hayes Wires with Knockoffs outside of four wheel Airheart disc brakes at all corners. I had the suspension tweaked for Rolls-Royce comfort and better handling. This Car was what I picked up clients at the Airport with ( 40 Mile trip-one way!)

 Ah! those were the Days! The wifey and I had matching Grand Marquis Broughams that were also totally loaded. A bare bones U.S.Army Surplus Jeep and Nine Studebakers. The T-Bird was strictly a Company Car. The Broughams? Well( who needs a Lincoln when under the Skin the top of the line Merc was a Lincoln? This was the year I left G.M. For Good!