1970 · Ford · United States
1970 Ford Thunderbird: One Engine, One Transmission, One New Package
The 429 at 360 hp was the standard and only engine listed in the 1970 catalog.
United States · researched through 2026-09-23
This record's own overview states that the 1970 catalog lists a single 429-cubic-inch V-8 rated at 360 horsepower, 4.36 by 3.59 inches, 10.5:1 compression, four-barrel carburetion, premium fuel and dual exhaust, paired with SelectShift Cruise-O-Matic as the only engine and transmission combination offered; this record's own engines and transmissions sections carry that same single entry each, both sourced to the catalog's own Engines page rather than to Automotive Mileposts.
This record's own overview also states that the catalog offers up to 31 exterior colors and gives lengths of 212.5 inches for the two-door body and 215.0 inches for the four-door, on wheelbases of 115 and 117 inches respectively; this record's own specifications section repeats those same wheelbase and length figures by scope, and adds a 78.0-inch width and 51.4-inch height for the two-door body along with a 24.0-gallon fuel tank common to all bodies, every figure sourced to the same catalog Dimensions and Capacities page.
This record's own overview also states that Wikipedia's fifth-generation table gives 50,364 Thunderbirds for 1970 across all bodies and engines, while Automotive Mileposts gives the split by body and, as this record's own production notes state, by seat type. This record's own production section breaks the total into three bodies: 5,116 two-door hardtops split 3,191 bench and 1,925 bucket, 36,847 two-door Landaus split 19,894 bench and 16,953 bucket, and 8,401 four-door Landaus split 3,396 bench and 5,005 split-bench rather than bucket, a seating terminology this record's own rows state directly for the four-door body alone.1,2
This record's own prices section gives three base prices: $4,916 for the two-door hardtop, $5,104 for the two-door Landau, and $5,182 for the four-door Landau, each sourced to Automotive Mileposts and each carrying no conflicting figure, since this record's own conflicts section is empty for the year. This record's own prices section carries no separate figure for the Special Brougham package or any other option; those prices live only in the options section, and this record's own text does not restate them here.2
This record's own options section itemizes 33 entries, several flagged directly in their own names as new for 1970: Simulated "Mag" Wheel Covers at $36, Interval Windshield Wipers at $25.90, Glamour Paint at $130, and a Special Brougham Option package at $304 bundling high-back bucket seats, a center console, a Rim-Blow steering wheel, cut-pile carpeting and color-keyed radial-ply tires and wheel covers for two-door models only. This record's own text also flags the automatic seatback release within the Convenience Check Group, priced at $101.10, as new for the year. One entry, a High Axle Ratio option, is listed by name with no price at all, its own row noting the price was still being researched; other entries include a Traction-Lok Differential at $46.69, a Sure-Track Brake Control System at $194.31, and a Trailer Towing Package at $50.2
This record's own paint table carries 24 colours and its own interiors section carries 31 trims, both sourced throughout to Automotive Mileposts; this record's own specifications, options, paint and interiors sections together with the overview, production and prices sections stand as this record's own only sources for 1970, since performance, identification, conflicts and unpublished leads are all empty for the year.2
Fact sheet · 1970 · United States
The numbers
1970 Ford Thunderbird — The 429 at 360 hp was the standard and only engine listed in the 1970 catalog.
Coverage: Partial — researched sections are shown; missing ones are not yet sourced. Researched through 2026-09-23.
Every figure is labeled with how sure we are. Reported means a manufacturer, registry, or reference figure we cite but have not reconciled against factory records ourselves. Disputed means credible sources disagree and both are shown. Rows are separately scoped; don't add them together unless the note says they make up a total.
Production
| What was counted | Count | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Thunderbirds, 1970 model year (every series, body and engine)1,2 not stated by source Whole-line total, not a performance-configuration count. | 50,364 | built, model-year | Reported |
| What was counted | Count | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Two-door hardtop2 Thunderbird · Two-door hardtop · as published | 5,116 | built, model-year | Reported |
| Two-door Landau2 Thunderbird · Two-door Landau · as published | 36,847 | built, model-year | Reported |
| Four-door Landau2 Thunderbird · Four-door Landau · as published | 8,401 | built, model-year | Reported |
| What was counted | Count | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Two-door hardtop, bench seats2 Thunderbird · Two-door hardtop, bench seats · as published | 3,191 | built, model-year | Reported |
| Two-door hardtop, bucket seats2 Thunderbird · Two-door hardtop, bucket seats · as published | 1,925 | built, model-year | Reported |
| Two-door Landau, bench seats2 Thunderbird · Two-door Landau, bench seats · as published | 19,894 | built, model-year | Reported |
| Two-door Landau, bucket seats2 Thunderbird · Two-door Landau, bucket seats · as published | 16,953 | built, model-year | Reported |
| Four-door Landau, bench seats2 Thunderbird · Four-door Landau, bench seats · as published | 3,396 | built, model-year | Reported |
| Four-door Landau, split bench seats2 Thunderbird · Four-door Landau, split bench seats · as published | 5,005 | built, model-year | Reported |
No citable production split by body style, engine or option was found for this year; the only production figure is the whole-line total.
Prices when new
| Model | Price | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Thunderbird Two-door hardtop2 | $4,916 | base price as compiled by the site, 1970 model year |
| Thunderbird Two-door Landau2 | $5,104 | base price as compiled by the site, 1970 model year |
| Thunderbird Four-door Landau2 | $5,182 | base price as compiled by the site, 1970 model year |
Prices are the nominal dollars of the day, not adjusted for inflation.
Engines
| Engine | Factory rating | Availability | Built |
|---|---|---|---|
| 429 V-8 429 cu in · 4-barrel | 360 hp (advertised gross (pre-1972 basis; the brochure does not name the standard)) | standard | Not yet sourced |
Ratings are the manufacturer's advertised figures under the standard shown (SAE gross before 1972, SAE net after). They are not dyno results, and gross and net ratings can't be compared directly.
Transmissions
| Transmission | Availability | Built |
|---|---|---|
| SelectShift Cruise-O-Matic (3-speed) | standard | Not yet sourced |
Options and packages
| Code | Option | Price | Installed |
|---|---|---|---|
|
AM/FM Stereo Radio2 | $150.29 | Not yet sourced |
|
StereoSonic Tape/AM Radio System2 | $150.29 | Not yet sourced |
|
SelectAire Conditioner2 | $427.07 | Not yet sourced |
|
SelectAire Conditioner with Automatic Climate Control2 | $499.22 | Not yet sourced |
|
Reclining Passenger Seat2 | $41.49 | Not yet sourced |
|
Tilt Steering Wheel2 | $52 | Not yet sourced |
|
Convenience Check Group (Includes Vacuum Door Locks and Automatic Seatback Release on Two-Door Models) Seatback Release New for '702 | $101.10 | Not yet sourced |
|
High-Level Taillamps2 | $33.70 | Not yet sourced |
|
Rear Window Defogger2 | $26 | Not yet sourced |
|
Electric Defrost2 | $84.25 | Not yet sourced |
|
Brougham Interior Trim (Two-Door with Cloth and Vinyl Bench Seat or Four-Door with Split Bench Seats)2 | $162 | Not yet sourced |
|
Brougham Interior Trim (Two-Door with Leather and Vinyl High-Back Bucket Seats or Four-Door with Split-Bench Seats)2 | $227 | Not yet sourced |
|
Tinted Glass2 | $47.49 | Not yet sourced |
|
Power Trunk Lid Release2 | $13.63 | Not yet sourced |
|
Fingertip Speed Control2 | $97.21 | Not yet sourced |
|
Deluxe Wheel Covers2 | $52 | Not yet sourced |
|
Simulated "Mag" Wheel Covers New Option for '702 | $36 | Not yet sourced |
|
White Sidewall Radial-Ply Tires (Standard with Special Brougham Option)2 | $30 | Not yet sourced |
|
High Axle Ratio (Researching Price)2 | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Traction-Lok Differential2 | $46.69 | Not yet sourced |
|
Heavy-Duty Suspension2 | $27.99 | Not yet sourced |
|
Sure-Track Brake Control System2 | $194.31 | Not yet sourced |
|
Interval Windshield Wipers New Option for '702 | $25.90 | Not yet sourced |
|
Color-Keyed Vinyl Insert Bodyside Molding (Standard with Brougham or Special Brougham Options) New2 | $25.90 | Not yet sourced |
|
Glamour Paint New Option for '702 | $130 | Not yet sourced |
|
Six-Way Power Seat (Bench, Driver's Side Bucket or Split-Bench)2 | $98.89 | Not yet sourced |
|
Six-Way Power Seats (Both Sides, Bucket or Split-Bench)2 | $197.78 | Not yet sourced |
|
Dual Rear Seat Speakers (Standard with AM/FM Stereo Radio or StereoSonic/AM Radio Systems)2 | $33.07 | Not yet sourced |
|
High-Back Bucket Seats and Console (Two-Door Models Only)2 | $78 | Not yet sourced |
|
Split-Bench Seat (Four-Door Only)2 | $78 | Not yet sourced |
|
Special Brougham Option (Includes High-Back Bucket Seats with Hopsack and Vinyl, Center Console, Deluxe Three-Spoke Rim-Blow Steering Wheel, Cut-Pile Carpeting, Rear Center Armrest, Door Pull Handles, Door Courtesy Lights, Auxiliary Grille Lamps, Color-Keyed Front Stone Shield and Deflector, White Sidewall Radial-Ply Tires, Color-Keyed Wheel Covers, Bodyside Molding with Color-Keyed Vinyl Inserts and Wheel Lip Moldings) (Two-Door Models Only) New2 | $304 | Not yet sourced |
|
Trailer Towing Package2 | $50 | Not yet sourced |
|
Bodyside Accent Stripe2 | $13.90 | Not yet sourced |
Paint
| Code | Color | Built |
|---|---|---|
A |
Black2 | Not yet sourced |
B |
Maroon Metallic2 | Not yet sourced |
C |
Dark Ivy Green Metallic2 | Not yet sourced |
E |
Light Blue2 | Not yet sourced |
F |
Dark Aqua Metallic2 | Not yet sourced |
J |
Deep Blue Metallic2 | Not yet sourced |
L |
Light Gray Metallic2 | Not yet sourced |
M |
White2 | Not yet sourced |
P |
Medium Ivy Green Metallic2 | Not yet sourced |
Q |
Medium Blue Metallic2 | Not yet sourced |
R |
Dark Brown Metallic2 | Not yet sourced |
S |
Medium Gold Metallic2 | Not yet sourced |
T |
Red2 | Not yet sourced |
X |
Dark Blue Metallic2 | Not yet sourced |
Y |
Chestnut Bronze Metallic2 | Not yet sourced |
Z |
Dark Gray Metallic2 | Not yet sourced |
2 |
Light Ivy Yellow2 | Not yet sourced |
5 |
Medium Brown Metallic2 | Not yet sourced |
8 |
Light Gold2 | Not yet sourced |
9 |
Pastel Yellow2 | Not yet sourced |
09 |
Olive Fire (Optional)2 | Not yet sourced |
19 |
Green Fire (Optional)2 | Not yet sourced |
59 |
Burgundy Fire (Optional)2 | Not yet sourced |
89 |
Bronze Fire (Optional)2 | Not yet sourced |
Color names are the factory's. We don't show color swatches, because a screen color is no guide for a restoration.
Interiors
| Code | Trim | Built |
|---|---|---|
4A |
Black; Available in all models2 | Not yet sourced |
4B |
Blue (Dark); Available in all models2 | Not yet sourced |
4G |
Ivy (Dark Green); Available in all models2 | Not yet sourced |
4W |
White (Black Instrument Panel and Carpeting); Available in all models2 | Not yet sourced |
2A |
Black; Available in Two-Door Models only2 | Not yet sourced |
2B |
Blue (Dark); Available in Two-Door Models only2 | Not yet sourced |
2G |
Ivy (Dark Green); Available in Two-Door Models only2 | Not yet sourced |
2W |
White (Black Instrument Panel and Carpeting); Available in Two-Door Models only2 | Not yet sourced |
3A |
Black; Available in Two-Door Models only2 | Not yet sourced |
3B |
Blue (Dark); Available in Two-Door Models only2 | Not yet sourced |
3D |
Red; Available in Two-Door Models only2 | Not yet sourced |
3F |
Ginger; Available in Two-Door Models only2 | Not yet sourced |
3G |
Ivy (Dark Green); Available in Two-Door Models only2 | Not yet sourced |
3Y |
Nugget (Gold); Available in Two-Door Models only2 | Not yet sourced |
5A |
Black; Available in Four-Door Models only2 | Not yet sourced |
5B |
Blue (Dark); Available in Four-Door Models only2 | Not yet sourced |
5D |
Red; Available in Four-Door Models only2 | Not yet sourced |
5G |
Ivy (Dark Green); Available in Four-Door Models only2 | Not yet sourced |
5Y |
Nugget (Gold); Available in Four-Door Models only2 | Not yet sourced |
5Z |
Tobacco; Available in Four-Door Models only2 | Not yet sourced |
8B |
Blue (Dark); Available in Two-Door Models only2 | Not yet sourced |
8D |
Red; Available in Two-Door Models only2 | Not yet sourced |
8F |
Ginger; Available in Two-Door Models only2 | Not yet sourced |
6A |
Black; Available in Four-Door Models only2 | Not yet sourced |
6D |
Red; Available in Four-Door Models only2 | Not yet sourced |
6Z |
Tobacco; Available in Four-Door Models only2 | Not yet sourced |
1A |
Black (Available with Black, Dark Ivy Green, White, Red, Pastel Yellow, and; Available in Two-Door Models only, with specific exterior colors2 | Not yet sourced |
1B |
Burgundy Fire exteriors); Available in Two-Door Models only, with specific exterior colors2 | Not yet sourced |
1D |
Blue (Available with Light Blue, White, Medium Blue, and Dark Blue exteriors); Available in Two-Door Models only, with specific exterior colors2 | Not yet sourced |
1G |
Red (Available with Black, White, Red, and Burgundy Fire exteriors); Available in Two-Door Models only, with specific exterior colors2 | Not yet sourced |
1F |
Ivy (Dark Green) (Available with Dark Ivy Green, White, Pastel Yellow, Green Fire, and Olive Fire exteriors); Available in Two-Door Models only, with specific exterior colors2 | Not yet sourced |
Specifications
| Measure | Value | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Wheelbase | 115 in | two-door |
| Wheelbase | 117 in | four-door |
| Length | 212.5 in | two-door |
| Length | 215 in | four-door |
| Width | 78 in | two-door |
| Height | 51.4 in | two-door |
| Fuel tank | 24 gal | all |
Identification
Read a 1970 Ford VIN
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Same model year
Also in 1970
- AMC AMX The last two-seat AMX: a restyled nose, a 360 base V8 and a 325-hp 390. At 4,116 cars it was the rarest of the three two-seat years.
- AMC Javelin Penske and Donohue brought the Javelin to Trans-Am, and the showroom answered with 2,501 Mark Donohue Javelins and 100 red-white-blue Trans Am Javelins, while total production fell to 28,210.
- AMC Rebel and Rebel Machine AMC's intermediate supercar: a 340-hp 390, four-speed and Hurst shifter in the Rebel hardtop, first in white with red-white-blue stripes. Totals reported for the one-year run range from about 1,200 to 2,326.
- Buick Riviera The 455 (370 hp gross) arrived with a restyle; production fell to about 37,300 with some 3,505 GS cars.
- Buick Skylark Gran Sport, GS and GSX Buick's GS went to a 455 rated at 510 lb-ft, the Stage 1 option added 10 advertised hp, and a mid-year GSX package was built 678 times in two colors.
- Buick Wildcat The final Wildcat, Custom trim only, with the 370-hp 455; 23,645 built.
- Chevrolet Chevelle and Malibu SS The year the Chevelle Super Sport split into RPO Z25 SS 396 and RPO Z15 SS 454, with the LS6 454 rated at 450 gross horsepower.
- Chevrolet Chevy II and Nova Last year the source engine table lists the big-block (as 402) in the Nova. Enthusiast-compiled production: 307,280 cars; Super Sport 19,558.
- Chevrolet El Camino SS The Malibu/Custom El Camino could carry either RPO Z25 SS 396 or RPO Z15 SS 454, including the 450 hp LS6; the El Camino share is not separately published.
- Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS The first Monte Carlo, with the SS 454 as RPO Z20: 3,823 of 145,976 Monte Carlos per Chevrolet-report-derived tables.
- Dodge Challenger Dodge's first pony car arrived as a 1970 model with nine advertised engines, base, SE, R/T, and R/T SE hardtops, two convertibles, and a one-year Trans-Am homologation special, the T/A.
- Dodge Charger The last year of the second-generation body: a new full-width grille, three series (Charger, 500, R/T), the 440 Six Pack added to the R/T, and production roughly half of 1969's.
- Dodge Coronet R/T and Super Bee The final Coronet-based R/T and Super Bee: the R/T fell to 2,615 cars, while the Super Bee added a 3-speed manual and kept its Six Pack and Hemi options.
- Dodge Dart GTS, Swinger and Demon With the GTS gone, the Swinger 340 was the only performance Dart; it kept front discs, Rallye suspension and a twin-scoop hood and sold about 13,800 beside the new Challenger.
- Ford Fairlane The last Fairlane year: the name survived only on the Fairlane 500 beneath the new Torino, with a mid-year Falcon sharing the body at the bottom of the range.
- Ford Maverick Grabber The Grabber appearance and tire package arrived in mid-1970 on the new two-door Maverick; no Grabber count for 1970 was found.
- Ford Ranchero GT The Torino-based Ranchero GT could take the 429 Cobra Jet and Super Cobra Jet; reference counts give 3,905 GTs, while Barn Finds rounds the GT figure to about 3,600 of 21,640 Rancheros.
- Ford Torino A new, longer body on a 117-inch wheelbase; the Torino Cobra became its own model with the 429, offered in 360, 370 (Cobra Jet) and 375 (Super Cobra Jet) horsepower forms.
- Mercury Comet and Cyclone A new, longer Montego-based Cyclone in three versions: the 429 Cyclone, the small-block Cyclone GT that outsold both others, and the Ram Air 429 Cobra Jet Cyclone Spoiler.
- Mercury Cougar The last first-generation Cougar moved to the 351 Cleveland, kept the Boss 302 as an Eliminator-only engine, and built 2,268 Eliminators.
- Mercury Marauder and S-55 The second and last year of the 1969-70 Marauder: production fell to about a third of 1969's, with the X-100 near half of it.
- Oldsmobile Cutlass, 4-4-2 and Hurst/Olds The 4-4-2 got a standard 455 rated at 365 hp, the W-30 went to 370 hp, and the small-block W-31 moved to the Cutlass and F-85 coupes.
- Plymouth Barracuda and 'Cuda The E-body redesign split the line into Barracuda, Gran Coupe, and 'Cuda hardtops and convertibles, put every Chrysler performance engine through the 426 Hemi on the order form, and added the one-year AAR 'Cuda for Trans-Am homologation.
- Plymouth Duster 340 and 360 Plymouth's new Valiant-based fastback coupe arrived with a 275 hp 340 performance model priced at $2,547; the Standard Catalog lineage counts 24,817 Duster 340s among 217,192 Dusters.
- Plymouth GTX, Belvedere and Satellite Now hardtop-only, the GTX fell to 7,748 cars while its 440 Six Barrel option cost just $119.
- Plymouth Road Runner Production halved from 1969, the 440 Six Barrel became a regular option, and the winged Superbird was built as a Road Runner hardtop to put Plymouth back on NASCAR superspeedways.
- Pontiac Firebird and Trans Am A late-arriving, coupe-only second generation: 48,739 Firebirds, 3,196 of them Trans Ams, and 88 Ram Air IVs.
- Pontiac GTO A new Endura nose, a 455 added beside the three 400s, and GTO production falling to 40,149.
- Pontiac Grand Prix The SJ took a 370 hp 455, Hurst built the SSJ, and production fell to 65,750.
- Pontiac Tempest and LeMans The T-37 and GT-37 bring budget performance to the Tempest.