1966 Ford Thunderbird

1966 Ford Thunderbird Town Landau

For consignment this 66 \"Flair Bird\" a nickname acquired since the \"Bullet Bird\'\', and the \"Square Bird\" were now old hat designs. Looking more like a high-priced Lincoln than a working man\'s Ford, the fourth generation Thunderbird reimagined the brand\'s familiar bullet profile with heavy style lines and intricate trim. This car comes with some recent maintenance, but remains very original and this includes the interior, paint and chrome. It was loaded to the gills with options right from the factory and shows a non-verifiable 31,018 miles on the odometer. Add in the full gamut of repair manuals and you have yourself a turn key and ready to go cruiser.

Exterior
Wearing the original application of Ivy Yellow, paint code L, and wearing what appears to be its original Town Landau roof this car is in very good condition with only minor thin spots in the paint along with some dulling and a few stone chips. At the front of the car, a \'66-exclusive egg crate grille flows seamlessly into a blade style bumper, which centers petite parking lamps beneath ribbed bezel \"eyebrow\" headlights that intentionally recall the earlier \'Square Bird\'. Above that grille, a correct badgeless hood centers a tasteful scoop between classy turn indicators and stainless-trimmed glass that\'s capped with a black vinyl landau roof. And at the back of those quarters, a wrap-around bumper holds sequential tail lights that flank a centrally mounted reverse light with a Thunderbird emblem. Standard turbine-esque Thunderbird hubcaps cover steel wheels and are wrapped in thin whitewall Hankook rubber from the 4th week of 2021. The brite work and bumpers as well as badging, appear in nice condition and we need to step back for a moment and breathe in all the originality....breath over, let\'s move to the interior.

Interior
Gold, actually more of an olive gold, as was the original, and remains original for the vinyl buckets in front, and a rear bench in back with a fold down armrest. A jet age inspired center console swoops past the buckets, offers a center glovebox, and the standard 1960\'s cigarette setup, then turns to a wood veneer covering, and houses the window controls. As it moves forward it climbs to the dash, housing the temperature controls and factory AM/FM radio. Up to the top of the dash, where it turns to vinyl, are the futuristic wiper and air vent sliding toggles. These are reminiscent of the very same toggles used on the Starship Enterprise when it jumps to warp speed! The ultra-modern speedometer has numbers in squares, and a bar that rolls right as you gain speed. LOOK MA no needle indicator! This is fronted by 4 ball in cup stainless gauges, and the original tilt away steering wheel. A console is in the center of the headliner which is of the smooth vinyl style and the plush factory carpet is below, well protected by clear plastic stick on covers.

Drivetrain
Standard fare for the 1966 Bird was the rock solid 390ci V8 producing 315hp, and a 3-speed Cruise-O-Matic automatic transmission. A freshly gone through Ford 9\" 3.00:1 ratio conventional differential is noted for rear tire turning duties. The engine has the blue painted valve covers, a newer Holley 4-barrel carburetor and a beehive style mesh air cleaner. Looking mostly original and unrestored, this engine bay just needs a minor detailing and a few areas of new hood insulation to be up to snuff.

Undercarriage
Surface rust is present on the unibody and suspension parts. Factory undercoating is present on the floors and has done a fine job of keeping things solid,so much so that there are areas of the factory red oxide primer showing through. A new dual exhaust is showing from the engine back and new mufflers are at the end of the system. Power disc brakes are on the front and power drums bring up the rear. Independent coil spring suspension, which was fully rebuilt, is on the front and leaf springs provide the ride on the rear. All buttoned up and looking good down here.

Drivability
I slipped behind the swing away column, I think Ford designed this for us rotund gentlemen and twisted the key. It idled smoothly and went into gear and gave me a nice cruise. Here it ran and accelerated well but a few issues cropped up during my drive. Including but not limited to the AC blowing warm and a rattle that very possibly is just a loose wheel cover, but all else was good on my drive and I came from the test track with a smile.

Wearing its factory applied paint and retaining the original interior this car is one to be had. A smooth runner and the last year of the \"Flair Bird\" it truly lives up to its name. This iteration lasted a mere 3 years before it underwent a design change. Plenty of care and maintenance performed will keep you from tinkering and will place you firmly behind that groovy swing away column of this great driver that you can enjoy day in an

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