[GreenT]

Thunderbird Grille w/ Emblems 1996 1997 Ford OEM Plastic Grille w/ Gold Emblems | eBay

I recall in the late 90's seeing some Thunderbirds that had gold tone instead of chrome.

I have not seen one in years and years. Surprisingly I have not seen one on here yet either. But I figure if there is one anywhere it is here.

What is the story with the gold? What trim level was it? Maybe only 96 and 97?

 

[XR7-4.6]

I always assumed it was something dealers applied, there’s no option for it in brochures. I remember that gold trim fad on a lot of cars as a kid

 

[Rodeo Joe]

I remember asking this years ago when I saw a T-Bird with the gold tail lights on my way into work and and I think the consensus was that it was a dealer application.

Now let me fuckup things here! The ebay seller says the parts came off a 1996, but by looking at the grill I think it was actually a 1997. I know this discussion has come up before, but if I remember correctly the bird emblem on the 96 grill the indentations were black not the chrome or gold with the green jewels. The 1997s has the green jewels but were all chrome or gold in this case. Then the all chrome bird without the jewels was later down the road, maybe later production or factory OEM replacement.

Joe

 

[T6Rocket]

97's have a standard chrome emblem in the grille. I had to go out to look, lol!

That e-bay piece looks horrible. The gold has lost it's luster. You could do better with some gold paint.

Al

 

[GreenT]

97's have a standard chrome emblem in the grille. I had to go out to look, lol!

That e-bay piece looks horrible. The gold has lost it's luster. You could do better with some gold paint.

Al

I agree those pieces on Ebay look horrible! And are overpriced too.

I dont want the gold... just wondered how/why some Tbirds had it. I have always wondered. See none anywhere today. And I really did expect to find some here lol. My memory is a bit fuzzy here but I think they also did the gold treatment for some Cougars too. I am almost positive I have see a cougar grill in gold too.

As far as I remember I only ever saw it on Tbirds that had the Thunderbird chrome rims, which was odd. It was just the 3 pieces that had the gold, As I remember; Thunderbird LX on deck lid, around the blue oval on deck lid, and the emblem.

But I did see enough of them way back when that I thought it possibly came from Ford/ Mercury that way

 

[XR7-4.6]

Dealerships often had packages they could apply to upsell a customer with, Cougars with Landau tops were very common but it might surprise you to know that not one of them rolled out of the assembly line with one between 1983 and 1997, all dealer applications.

It wouldn’t surprise me if the gold emblems(and grill and taillight accents for Cougars) were produced by a Ford supplier and offered as an over the counter item to be applied to a model in the showroom, but dealers, at least back in the day had access to emblem makers and platers for their own dealer emblem they’d apply, so they may have just sent out a batch of Tbird emblems to be stripped and replated in gold. I’m fairly certain none ever left Lorain with them though

 

[Rodeo Joe]

It was just the 3 pieces that had the gold, As I remember; Thunderbird LX on deck lid, around the blue oval on deck lid, and the emblem.

No, the Bird emblems on the decklid lights were gold also.

Joe

 

[GreenT]

No, the Bird emblems on the decklid lights were gold also.

Joe

Your right! I forgot about those. I think also the metal around the trunk key cylinder was gold.

Just found an example online:

1997 Ford Thunderbird LX 154k Miles V8

 

[JAB]

I have gold emblems on my 95

 

[GreenT]

I remember asking this years ago when I saw a T-Bird with the gold tail lights on my way into work and and I think the consensus was that it was a dealer application

You were not kidding about years ago.

This popped up as recommended reading:
Exterior gold package on 96-97 T-Birds?

 

[Rodeo Joe]

You were not kidding about years ago.

18 years, wow!

Joe

 

[Trunk Monkey]

I always assumed it was something dealers applied, there’s no option for it in brochures. I remember that gold trim fad on a lot of cars as a kid

This.

It was a fad of a bygone era. IMHO you really don't want to go there. Let that sleeping dog lie.

 

[CDsDontBurn]

At least one of us here has the gold emblems!

 

[GreenT]

It seems like since I asked about these gold plated Thunderbirds I see them everywhere online.

*1996* *Ford* *Thunderbird* *LX Coupe 2D* - cars & trucks - by...

This one seems to have more gold than most.... looks like the antenna is gold too.

What is shocking to me is the fact they want $25,000 for this one. I see that it supposedly has less thank 6k miles but jeez 25k?

 

[XR7-4.6]

I really hate it when listings that want obscene money for a car don’t include engine bay or other detail pictures. The demo who’d buy a car like this isn’t disinterested soccer moms

The aftermarket body kit and spoiler and hideous 90s aftermarket wheels don’t help either, If I’m spending $25k on a super low mile Tbird I wouldn’t want it accessorized

 

[GreenT]

It seems like since I asked about these gold plated Thunderbirds I see them everywhere online.

View attachment 48688
1996 Ford Thunderbird LX Coupe 2D - cars & trucks - by...

This one seems to have more gold than most.... looks like the antenna is gold too.

What is shocking to me is the fact they want $25,000 for this one. I see that it supposedly has less thank 6k miles but jeez 25k?

I really hate it when listings that want obscene money for a car don’t include engine bay or other detail pictures. The demo who’d buy a car like this isn’t disinterested soccer moms

The aftermarket body kit and spoiler and hideous 90s aftermarket wheels don’t help either, If I’m spending $25k on a super low mile Tbird I wouldn’t want it accessorized

Amen! And I am super skeptical about the mileage too until I see the engine bay/ undercarriage ect.

If I had any car with this low milage I would not want to drive it. I would regret every mile. And that defeats the purpose for me. Green T has over 100k and that is fine with me. I dont mind adding a few more.

 

[Grog6]

BTW, those emblems aren't gold plated by someone, they are different parts. the mfg process involved pushing the backing piece thru a semi-molten sheet of aluminized plastic for the std ones, and gold for the gold.