The 1976 Ford Thunderbird was designed with comfort in mind, and the quality of the door armrests really made a statement. The armrests were contoured off the sides of the door and were textured to provide a secure and comfortable grip. They could also be reclined with the simple press of a release button, providing a wide range of comfortable angles for drivers and passengers alike. Today, these door armrests are highly sought after and sought after replacements are a rarity. The shape, style and texture will vary slightly from the original depending on the manufacturer, but a quality replacement will look just like the original. 1976 Ford Thunderbird Front Door Interior Armrests
The 1976 Ford Thunderbird was equipped with an ingenious door latch lock release handle, which was designed to provide quick and easy access to the interior of the vehicle. It was situated at the top of the door near the window frame, allowing for quick access without having to unlock the door itself. The handle featured a protruding finger pad which when pulled easily released the emergency door latch. Unfortunately, these locks are now no longer available as the production ceased decades ago. Some original lock rubbers may be found at automobile and restoration stores, and some third parties still manufacture them in limited numbers. Finding quality parts can be difficult and pricey, so be sure to do your research before making any purchases.1976 Ford Thunderbird Door Latch Lock Release Handle
The 1976 Ford Thunderbird featured interior door handles that were a departure from the standard shape of most vehicles. Instead of the traditional “U” shape, the interior door handles were oval in shape. This offered a level of uniqueness and gave the interior of the vehicle an overall custom-look. Original door handles for these cars are no longer produced, but quality replacements are available. Although the shape of the replacement handles will not be the same as the original, they will still be identical in feel and operation. Replacements will offer a wide range of color options too, allowing for a restoration that is as close as possible to the original look.1976 Ford Thunderbird Interior Door Handles
The handles on the interior of the 1976 Ford Thunderbird provided peace of mind for passengers, giving them the assurance that they could enter the vehicle easily and quickly. The door pull handles were made of chrome and featured a moderate ”thumb" indentation, providing a convenient and comfortable grip. Replacements for these handles can usually be found at auto shops. The replacement parts may not be identical to the original part, but will be just as strong and will provide the same level of assurance. Be sure to research and compare parts to ensure the best fit for your needs.1976 Ford Thunderbird Interior Door Pull Handles
The interior door panels of the 1976 Ford Thunderbird were held in place by a series of small clips. Although small in size, they played an important role in ensuring that the panels stayed securely in place. As these cars age, these clips can become brittle and break easily, leaving the panels loose and in some cases, completely off the car. Replacement clips can be purchased from automotive stores and other third-party sources. Be sure to buy a large enough quantity as it may be difficult to source further clips if these are all you need. Be sure to measure the clips to ensure they fit properly.1976 Ford Thunderbird Interior Door Panel Clips
In order to keep the interior of the 1976 Ford Thunderbird looking nice, inner door skins were designed to protect the interior door panels. These skins provided a layer of protection against dirt, scratches, dings and any other debris that could damage the door panels. These skins are no longer produced, but replicas are widely available from third-party suppliers. The replicas may vary slightly in color and texture from the original, but they will fit in the same manner and help to keep your interior looking and feeling sleek.1976 Ford Thunderbird Inner Door Skins
The 1976 Ford Thunderbird was equipped with a factory-installed door lock system that provided the much-needed convenience of being able to lock and unlock the vehicle from the inside and outside of the car. The kits included a series of levers and small pins that helped secure the doors and allowed the locks to be padlocked if needed. While these parts are no longer widely available from any Ford parts supplier, some third-party companies still manufacture the kits. The parts in these kits are usually of a higher quality than the originals and buying in bulk can often be more cost-effective.1976 Ford Thunderbird Door Lock Kit
The dashboard door trim panel of the 1976 Ford Thunderbird was designed to match the curves of the interior of the vehicle. Primarily made of plastic, the trim panel was designed to replace the door trim and provide a more seamless and sophisticated look. It was also designed to reduce the effects of glare from the sun. Trim panels for these vehicles are still available and can be bought from restoration stores and other third-party suppliers. It's important to get measurements before purchasing, as many of these panels come in various widths and heights.1976 Ford Thunderbird Dashboard Door Trim Panel
The 1976 Ford Thunderbird featured an interior door handle boot which was designed to keep dust and debris from entering the locking system of the door. These doors are no longer produced by Ford, but some third-party suppliers still manufacture them in limited numbers. When buying a replacement for this part, it is important to ensure that you get a tight fit that will keep debris and dirt away from the locking system. The boot needs to fit snugly with no gaps between the boot and the door so that dust and dirt can’t enter.1976 Ford Thunderbird Interior Door Handle Boot
The right front interior door handle of the 1976 Ford Thunderbird was a small but important detail. Situated near the top of the door, it provided an easy and secure opening and closing of the door from the inside of the car. The handle itself was chrome and featured a subtle indentation, making it comfortable to use. Replacing this part is easy and cost-effective. Quality replicas are widely available that feature the same look and feel as the original. Chrome variants are the most sought after, as covers the original handles closely.1976 Ford Thunderbird Right Front Interior Door Handle
The left front interior door handle of the 1976 Ford Thunderbird was situated just below the passenger side window and provided a convenient way to open and close the door from the inside. Made out of chrome, the handle featured a subtle indented finger grip for comfort and safety. Replacing this interior door handle is easy and cost-effective as quality replicas are available. Choose a chrome finish to closely match the original parts, and be sure to check that the handle fits snugly in the door for a secure fit.1976 Ford Thunderbird Left Front Interior Door Handle