This car was 32 years old when I purchased it, and had been in storage for 17 years. The transmission seals had dried up, causing a bad transmission leak. It's my understanding this is very common on old cars that have sat for long periods of time without being driven.
Many other things had to be replaced to make the car operable and safe to drive, but many of them were replaced solely due to their age (tires, belts, hoses, etc.)
My Mother got a brand new 1969 Thunderbird as a Christmas gift for Christmas 1968. Ever since, the 1969 Thunderbirds have been my favorite car.
The '69 T-Birds ride and handle wonderfully, especially for a big car. They have great performance with the 429 V-8, and the front disc brakes are among the best in any car I've ever driven.
If you like gadgets, these cars have them: sequential rear turn signals, concealed headlights, a steering wheel that tilts up and over automatically when the driver's door is opened, coved rear seats, power windows, seats, locks, antenna, and trunk release.
My car even has a factory installed power sunroof!
The vinyl roof on the Landau models has an imitation Alligator grain pattern to it, which is very unique.
You don't mention mpg, but I noticed that you have only driven it 1000 miles in four years so my guess would be that it is... pretty bad, even acknowledging that this kind of car is going to get lousy gas mileage...
The car hasn't been driven very much because it's being restored. Magazine tests of 1969 Thunderbirds when new indicate 16.8 mpg on the highway. I believe that was a Motor Trend test.
Driven responsibly, these cars get very respectable gas mileage. It seems to go a lot further on a tank of gas than the new SUV, and it's a lot more fun to drive!
Is this car for sale, and do you have any photos you can email to ribshck@yahoo.ca
Thanks.
Note: A Comments RSS Feed 
is available. New comments appear in the Members Area before the main site