1969 Ford Thunderbird

This motor car is being sold as part of an overseas collection. It has been imported under the Bonhams temporary admission customs bond and is therefore subject to the lower rate 5% import tax if the car is to remain in the UK & purchased by a private individual. The 5% is calculated on the final selling price. For example, if the car sells for £7,000, then £350 is added, making the total amount payable of £7,350.

The winning bidder will receive a receipt for the final hammer value, and proof that HMRC fees are paid. If the car is subsequently exported abroad within 30 days then these fees are refundable.

Lastly, there will be a nominal administration fee of £250 for processing the NOVA application, and payable direct to the shipping company. A completed and processed NOVA will provide you formal proof that all duties & taxes are paid in UK and thus allow you to register the vehicle with the DVLA

In common with the majority of cars in this collection, this vehicle has been on static display for a number of years and there is no history available beyond that displayed in our photography section.

We have not started or driven the car so cannot vouch for its mechanical viability or functionality. It will require recommissioning prior to road use and is sold ‘as seen’.

It is available for view and inspection at our HQ near Abingdon and we will be delighted to show the car to you and/or your appointed engineer.

With the proviso that we haven’t tried to start or drive this car and can therefore only attest to its cosmetic condition, we think this 1969 Ford Thunderbird 4-door Landau Thunder Jet 429 V-8 (VIN: OJ87N129904) is a generally well preserved and conditioned example of a car that’s sure to turn heads on UK roads.

In keeping with many cars from the vendor’s static display collection, this vehicle comes to us with no service records or history to speak of.

Here’s what we know.

It was built in 1969.

It has the 7 litre V8 Thunder Jet engine capable of generating 360hp and 480ft-lbs of torque.

It’s spent most of its life in and around Vancouver, British Columbia.

Its odometer currently reads 73,222 miles.

That’s about it.

We don’t know when it entered the vendor’s collection.

It’s a striking looking vehicle, that’s for sure.

Being American and made in the 1960s it is, of course, enormous.

It is finished in a rather regal purple/plum colour and most of the paintwork has held up pretty well.

The panels are free of any dinks, dents or creases of significance.

The chrome work is mainly good, bar some pitting on the door handles and tarnishing on the landaulette arms.

There are some scratches on the boot lid.

The vinyl roof appears to be in excellent condition overall.

The grille looks good, as do the lights, badging and most of the exterior trim.

The same high levels of originality and preservation are in evidence on the inside.

The carpets, mats, headlining and door cards are in decent nick, although there is a metal cover missing on the driver’s door card (you’ll find it on the back seat) and the wiring underneath is now exposed.

The dashboard, controls and gauges are all good, save for a short rip in the plastic on the padded vinyl top of the dashboard.

The rear bench seats are fine. The front bench seats have a tear on each side.

We can’t make any claims about the functionality of switches, knobs, levers, toggles, buttons, dials or other electrics as we haven’t started the vehicle.

The boot is, of course, cavernous. It contains a spare wheel, which appears to be in the same reasonable condition as the wheels on the car.

The undersides look pretty solid and sound to us and we can’t see anything that sets off any alarms.

The engine and engine bay seem to be in very good condition, with everything looking clean, dry and in its right and proper place.

The car doesn’t come with a service history or any record of work done.

Currently, it has neither an MoT certificate nor a V5.

If you’d like to inspect the car prior to placing a bid – something we would encourage – then please use the Contact Seller button to arrange an appointment.

We haven’t tried to start or drive the car so our understanding of it is somewhat limited.

That said, provided the car’s engine and mechanicals are in proper working order and ready for recommissioning, we think the very strong condition of this big, powerful, handsome beast could - and should - make it a highly desirable piece of automotive Americana.

We estimate for this Thunderbird to reach anywhere between £7,000 - £10,000.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; to arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.