Independent · Source-led · American performance history Issue 01 · 1951–2023
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1974 · Ford · United States

1974 Ford Thunderbird: Two Luxury Groups and Little Else

Sixth-generation personal-luxury Thunderbird; the record holds the production total and the luxury-group option prices only.

United States · researched through 2026-09-23

White 1974 Ford Thunderbird two-door with opera windows and a red interior, front three-quarter studio view
1974 Ford Thunderbird in white Ford Motor Company Archives

This record's own dek states that the record holds the production total and the luxury-group option prices only for this sixth-generation personal-luxury year; this record's own overview repeats that Wikipedia's sixth-generation table gives 58,443 Thunderbirds for 1974 across all bodies and engines, with no body, engine or option split found in a citable source, and this record's own coverage field is marked partial rather than complete for the year.1

This record's own overview also states that Wikipedia lists the 1974 luxury-group options as a Burgundy Luxury Group at $411 and a White and Gold Luxury Group at $546; this record's own options section carries those same two entries at the same two prices, tying the overview's Wikipedia-sourced figures directly to this record's own priced rows rather than leaving them as a separate, unconfirmed claim.1

This record's own overview also states that Wikipedia lists the 460 V-8 for the sixth generation without year-by-year ratings, and that no Ford specification source for 1974 was read, so engine ratings are left unrecorded; this record's own engines, transmissions, keyFacts, specifications, performance, identification, conflicts and unpublished-leads sections are all empty for the year, leaving overview, production, prices, options, paint and interiors as this record's own only sources for 1974. No displacement, transmission or specification figure appears anywhere else in this record's own sections to fill that gap for 1974.1

This record's own production section carries a single row, the 58,443 whole-line total, sourced to both Wikipedia and Automotive Mileposts and labeled a whole-line total rather than a performance-configuration count. This record's own prices section carries a single row, $7,221 for the Thunderbird two-door hardtop, sourced to the Automotive Mileposts production page beneath its TOTAL PRODUCTION and INTRODUCTION DATE lines; no other body style carries a priced row for 1974. Its basis field reads "base price as compiled by the site" and its effective field reads "1974 model year", so the figure is a compiled base price for that body style alone, and every option price this record carries sits in its options section rather than here.2

This record's own options section itemizes 44 entries, several flagged in their own names as new for 1974: a Quick Defrost Windshield/Rear Window at $315, an Autolamp On/Off Delay System at $34 that this record's own text notes is also included in the Light Group, and that Light Group itself at $160, bundling dual overhead map lights, an illuminated visor vanity mirror, and warning lights for headlamps-on, low fuel, door-ajar and the engine compartment. Other entries include a Power-Operated Sunroof at $525, a Turnpike Group at $138 bundling a manual reclining passenger seat, Fingertip Speed Control and a trip odometer, and a Power Lock Group at $62 for electric door locks and trunk release.2

This record's own paint table carries 21 colours, coded from 1C Black and 1E Silver Cloud Metallic through 2G Burgundy Fire and 3A Pastel Blue, all sourced to Automotive Mileposts. This record's own interiors section carries 34 trims from the same source; together with the overview, production, prices and options sections, they stand as this record's own only sources for 1974.2

Fact sheet · 1974 · United States

The numbers

1974 Ford Thunderbird — Sixth-generation personal-luxury Thunderbird; the record holds the production total and the luxury-group option prices only.

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

Totals
What was countedCountBasisStatus
All Thunderbirds, 1974 model year (every series, body and engine)1,2 not stated by source Whole-line total, not a performance-configuration count. 58,443 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

ModelPriceBasis
Thunderbird two-door hardtop2 $7,221 base price as compiled by the site, 1974 model year

Prices are the nominal dollars of the day, not adjusted for inflation.

Options and packages

CodeOptionPriceInstalled
package Burgundy Luxury Group1 $411 Not yet sourced
package White and Gold Luxury Group1 $546 Not yet sourced
order code Power-Operated Sunroof2 $525 Not yet sourced
order code Deluxe Bumper Group (Includes Rear Bumper Guards and Front and Rear Rub Strips with White Pin Stripe2 $51 Not yet sourced
order code Turnpike Group (Includes Manual Reclining Passenger Seat, Fingertip Speed Control, and Trip Odometer)2 $138 Not yet sourced
order code Power Lock Group (Includes Electric Power Door Locks and Electric Trunk Lid Release)2 $62 Not yet sourced
order code Quick Defrost Windshield/Rear Window New option for '742 $315 Not yet sourced
order code Electric Rear Window De-Icer2 $85 Not yet sourced
order code Power Mini-Vent Windows2 $70 Not yet sourced
order code Convenience Group (Includes Remote Control Right-Hand Mirror and Interval Windshield Wipers)2 $53 Not yet sourced
order code Autolamp On/Off Delay System (Also included in Light Group) New option for '742 $34 Not yet sourced
order code Light Group (Includes Dual Overhead Map Lights, Illuminated Visor Vanity Mirror, Warning Lights for Headlamps On [with Buzzer], Low Fuel, Door Ajar, Engine Compartment Light, and Autolamp System New option for '742 $160 Not yet sourced
order code AM/FM Stereo Radio2 $152 Not yet sourced
order code AM/FM Stereo Radio with Tape Player2 $311 Not yet sourced
order code Power Antenna2 $31 Not yet sourced
order code Automatic Temperature Control2 $74 Not yet sourced
order code Burgundy Luxury Group (Detailed on Interior Trim page)2 $411 Not yet sourced
order code White and Gold Luxury Group (Detailed on Interior Trim page) New option for '742 $546 Not yet sourced
order code Deluxe Luggage Compartment Trim New option for '742 $57 Not yet sourced
order code Deluxe Wheel Covers2 $64 Not yet sourced
order code Simulated Wire Wheel Covers New option for '742 $85 Not yet sourced
order code Color-Keyed Standard Full Wheel Covers2 $20 Not yet sourced
order code Super-Soft Vinyl Seat Trim2 $35 Not yet sourced
order code Leather Seating Surfaces with Vinyl Trim2 $105 Not yet sourced
order code Picardy Velour Cloth Trim New option for '742 $64 Not yet sourced
order code Manual Reclining Passenger Seat (Included in Turnpike Group)2 $42 Not yet sourced
order code Tilt Steering Wheel2 $53 Not yet sourced
order code Front Cornering Lamps (Included in Exterior Decor Group)2 $43 Not yet sourced
order code 6-Way Power Seat, Driver only2 $105 Not yet sourced
order code 6-Way Power Seat, Driver and Passenger2 $210 Not yet sourced
order code Sure-Track Brake Control System2 $197 Not yet sourced
order code Heavy-Duty Suspension2 $28 Not yet sourced
order code Dual Exhaust System2 $53 Not yet sourced
order code Fire Paint (Burgundy, Silver Blue, or Gold)2 $131 Not yet sourced
order code Starfire Paint (Blue, Green, Cinnamon, or Mahogany)2 $172 Not yet sourced
order code Anti-Theft Group (Includes Lockable Hood Latch)2 $79 Not yet sourced
order code Dual Bodyside and Hood Paint Stripes2 $18 Not yet sourced
order code Exterior Decor Group (Includes Wide Bodyside Molding with Color-Keyed Vinyl Insert, Partial Wheel Lip Moldings, and Front Cornering Lamps)2 $141 Not yet sourced
order code Space Saver Spare Tire New option for '742 $86 Not yet sourced
order code Trailer Towing Package, Class III2 $48 Not yet sourced
order code Traction-Lok Rear Differential2 $50 Not yet sourced
order code Dual Rear Speakers (AM Radio only)2 $33 Not yet sourced
order code Rim-Blow Deluxe Three-Spoke Steering Wheel2 $40 Not yet sourced
order code Trailer Equalizing Hitch (Trailer Towing Package Mandatory)2 $90 Not yet sourced

Paint

CodeColorBuilt
1C Black2 Not yet sourced
1E Silver Cloud Metallic2 Not yet sourced
2G Burgundy Fire2 Not yet sourced
3A Pastel Blue2 Not yet sourced
3D Medium Blue Metallic2 Not yet sourced
3G Dark Blue Metallic2 Not yet sourced
3L Silver Blue Fire2 Not yet sourced
3P Blue Starfire2 Not yet sourced
4A Pastel Lime2 Not yet sourced
4Y Green Starfire2 Not yet sourced
5Q Dark Brown Metallic2 Not yet sourced
5R Autumn Fire*2 Not yet sourced
5S Medium Beige2 Not yet sourced
5V Buff2 Not yet sourced
6G Gold Fire2 Not yet sourced
6L Medium Gold Metallic2 Not yet sourced
6M Dark Olive Gold Metallic2 Not yet sourced
6N Medium Ivy Yellow2 Not yet sourced
9D Polar White2 Not yet sourced
51 Cinnamon Starfire2 Not yet sourced
52 Mahogany Starfire2 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

CodeTrimBuilt
HA Black; Fold-Down Armrests2 Not yet sourced
HB Medium Blue; Fold-Down Armrests2 Not yet sourced
HD Dark Red; Fold-Down Armrests2 Not yet sourced
HR Medium Green (shown at left); Fold-Down Armrests2 Not yet sourced
HU Tan; Fold-Down Armrests2 Not yet sourced
HZ Saddle; Fold-Down Armrests2 Not yet sourced
JA Black; Fold-Down Armrests2 Not yet sourced
JB Medium Blue; Fold-Down Armrests2 Not yet sourced
JD Dark Red; Fold-Down Armrests2 Not yet sourced
JN White (Dark Red components); Fold-Down Armrests2 Not yet sourced
JQ White (Medium Blue components); Fold-Down Armrests2 Not yet sourced
JR Medium Green; Fold-Down Armrests2 Not yet sourced
JU Tan (shown at left); Fold-Down Armrests2 Not yet sourced
JW White (Black components); Fold-Down Armrests2 Not yet sourced
JY Gold; Fold-Down Armrests2 Not yet sourced
J5 White (Medium Green components); Fold-Down Armrests2 Not yet sourced
J8 White (Gold components); Fold-Down Armrests2 Not yet sourced
J9 White (Saddle components); Fold-Down Armrests2 Not yet sourced
FB Medium Blue; Fold-Down Armrests2 Not yet sourced
FU Tan (shown at left); Fold-Down Armrests2 Not yet sourced
FY Gold; Fold-Down Armrests2 Not yet sourced
KA Black; Fold-Down Armrests2 Not yet sourced
KB Medium Blue; Fold-Down Armrests2 Not yet sourced
KD Dark Red (shown at left); Fold-Down Armrests2 Not yet sourced
KN White (Dark Red components); Fold-Down Armrests2 Not yet sourced
KQ White (Medium Blue components); Fold-Down Armrests2 Not yet sourced
KR Medium Green; Fold-Down Armrests2 Not yet sourced
KU Tan; Fold-Down Armrests2 Not yet sourced
KW White (Black components); Fold-Down Armrests2 Not yet sourced
KY Gold; Fold-Down Armrests2 Not yet sourced
KZ Saddle; Fold-Down Armrests2 Not yet sourced
K5 White (Medium Green components); Fold-Down Armrests2 Not yet sourced
K8 White (Gold components); Fold-Down Armrests2 Not yet sourced
K9 White (Saddle components); Fold-Down Armrests2 Not yet sourced

Identification

Read a 1974 Ford VIN

The VIN decoder runs in your browser and never sends the VIN anywhere. How the factory numbered this year's cars:

Same model year

Also in 1974

  • AMC AMX The final Javelin AMX: 4,980 built, with the Go Package's cowl induction dropped and a production run that stretched into November 1974.
  • AMC Gremlin X and Spirit AMX The Gremlin X gained a 'hockey stick' stripe. The 304 V8 remained available, but no X or V8 counts for the year were found.
  • AMC Javelin The Javelin's final year: 22,556 non-AMX cars on a production run extended into November 1974.
  • Buick Riviera Colonnade pillared roof; 20,129 built, 1,698 with Stage One and 4,119 with the GS handling option.
  • Buick Skylark Gran Sport, GS and GSX The last year a 455 Stage 1 could be had in a Buick intermediate Gran Sport; 3,355 were built, 478 of them Stage 1.
  • Chevrolet Chevelle and Malibu SS The SS was gone; the new Laguna Type S-3 coupe carried the Chevelle's performance image, with a 235 net hp 454 still on the engine list.
  • Chevrolet Chevy II and Nova Spirit of America Nova (RPO Z51) offered on the Custom hatchback per the source. Enthusiast-compiled production: 390,537 cars; Super Sport 21,419.
  • Chevrolet El Camino SS Colonnade-era El Camino; Chevrolet's 1974 data pages define the RPO Z15 SS option for the El Camino Classic. Team Chevelle's production totals give 51,223 El Caminos built, 4,543 of them with SS equipment.
  • Dodge Challenger The last original-era Challenger shared a catalog with the Dart; the 360 replaced the 340 as the optional engine and production ended in April 1974.
  • Dodge Charger The last B-body Charger before the 1975 personal-luxury redesign, with 5-mph bumpers, carried-over powertrains and an SE that accounted for 30,957 V-8 cars.
  • Dodge Dart GTS, Swinger and Demon The 360 replaced the 340 in the Dart Sport, and Flory's production table counts 3,951 Dart Sport 360s at a $3,244 base price.
  • Ford Maverick Grabber Grabber production fell to 23,502 by Classic Industries count.
  • Ford Ranchero GT The Ranchero GT continued on the 1972-76 Ranchero; 11,328 GTs were built, per reference-site counts in the Standard Catalog lineage.
  • Ford Torino The 1974 Torino grew again and added the Gran Torino Elite; the Gran Torino Sport survived only as a formal-roof hardtop, with 23,142 built.
  • Mercury Cougar Outside the muscle focus: 91,670 Cougars for 1974 per Wikipedia's table.
  • Oldsmobile Cutlass, 4-4-2 and Hurst/Olds The Hurst/Olds paced the Indianapolis 500 again and offered a 350 for the first time: 1,800 coupes, 380 of them with the 455 W-30.
  • Plymouth Barracuda and 'Cuda The final year: Barracuda and 'Cuda hardtops with a standard 318 and a new optional 360, and 11,734 built before the line ended.
  • Plymouth Duster 340 and 360 The 245 net hp 360 replaced the 340 in the Duster's best sales year: 3,969 Duster 360s among 281,378 Dusters, with Twister, Gold Duster and Space Duster packages priced separately.
  • Plymouth GTX, Belvedere and Satellite In 1974 a GTX nameplate came with the Road Runner's optional 440 four-barrel, TorqueFlite required; Mueller's Muscle Car Source Book counts 386 of them.
  • Plymouth Road Runner The last Satellite-based Road Runner; production roughly halved from 1973.
  • Pontiac Firebird and Trans Am A new nose and the last Super Duty: 10,255 Trans Ams, 943 with the SD-455.
  • Pontiac GTO The last original GTO: a package on the compact Ventura with a 200 hp 350; 7,058 built.
  • Pontiac Grand Am A revised nose and 17,083 built, only 342 with a four-speed.
  • Pontiac Grand Prix The 455 remains the SJ engine as Grand Prix volume falls to under 100,000.
  • Pontiac Tempest and LeMans With the GTO moved to the Ventura, the LeMans GT package became the intermediate performance choice, backed by 350, 400 and 455 V8 options.