1979 Convertible

Randy Mattson · Post by **Randy Mattson** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 3:52 pm

Parked outside my office at the moment is a 1979 Thunderbird Convertible. (Navy blue, white vinyl(leather?) The conversion looks very professional, very factory-like. Was there a company that offered this? I don't know of Ford ever making one. I like it!
Randy Mattson

Alan H. Tast · Post by **Alan H. Tast** » Tue Jun 30, 2009 12:30 am

A company from the Los Angeles area offered convertible conversions through Ford dealers in the mid-late '70s for Mark V's and T-birds. The name of the company escapes me but I may have reference to these in "Thunderbird 50 Years". Long story short is for '77-8 the rear seat was omitted while in '79 it was narrowed and installed in order to clear the top mechanism. I don't recall total number produced but it suffices to say that they are not common.

redstangbob · Post by **redstangbob** » Tue Jun 30, 2009 7:36 am

I would have guessed American Sunroof did the work, but after reading some of their history I don't think so. Would be nice to find out who did the conversion.

Randy Mattson · Post by **Randy Mattson** » Tue Jun 30, 2009 9:35 am

It's too bad my cell phone doesn't take pictures. I would have taken a few. I think you got it Alan, the rear seat was narrowed. I guessed to allow for the roof rails when the top's down. It also had a snap-on boot.
Randy Mattson

Blown306 · Post by **Blown306** » Tue Jun 30, 2009 2:02 pm

It was probably done by American Custom Coachworks in California...they are no longer a manufacturer and seem to only build limos now. Here's a '77 for sale out there that was done by them (although it's not in very good shape):

http://www.tbirdads.com/details.php?id=17820

Randy Mattson · Post by **Randy Mattson** » Tue Jun 30, 2009 3:41 pm

Thanks for the link, Jeff.
The 79 I saw was very similar. I only saw it with the top down, though.
I liked the job someone had done on the windshield header.

As an aside, I should have started this in the modified section. I would have been the first!
Randy Mattson

Alan H. Tast · Post by **Alan H. Tast** » Tue Jun 30, 2009 5:53 pm

I think Jeff nailed it, but I still need to double-check the research I did on this for my second book. I remember copying some articles from some trade publications and do have some photos of examples I've documented over the years. They had an emblem on the front fender to ID the company, but for some reason "Beverly Hills Coachworks" also rings a bell. Probably won't be until extended family clears out of my house this weekend before I can dig up the info (something about being unsocialable when I hole up to answer questions like this instead of mingling with in-laws

)

tbird · Post by **tbird** » Tue Jun 30, 2009 10:20 pm

I remmber there being one of these conversions at the 2001 Retrobird Launch Party at Ford World Headquarters in Dearborn. It was parked on the Rotunda in one of the places reserved for invited Thunderbirds.

Tbird100636 · Post by **Tbird100636** » Fri Jul 03, 2009 12:45 am

I've seen a 79 in the New England region several times at shows. I'll have to take a closer look at it if I see it this year. It has mint green paint, and a medium green interior.

79convertible · Post by **79convertible** » Sat Aug 14, 2010 11:52 am

I am the proud owner of a 1979 Thunderbird Convertible. I've done some research and back in the late 70's, the government put a ban on the production of convertibles stating they were unsafe. Beverly Hills Custom Coachworks bought 151 of the 1979 model from Ford and converted them and selling them for $21,000.

tbird · Post by **tbird** » Sat Aug 14, 2010 12:31 pm

Welcome to the group how about posting some pictures of your car, if you scroll on down to the bottom of the forum you will find a how to section for doing things for computer dummies like me it will guide you through posting pictures.
What is your location?

Vintage Thunderbird Club International