This 1965 Ford Thunderbird Convertible is a three-owner classic. With a known history, its low odometer reading should be verifiable. The seller has recently splashed some cash to improve its presentation and the operation of some features, but it can still be considered a survivor-grade vehicle. The time has arrived for the T-Bird to head to greener pastures, with the seller listing it here on eBay in Des Moines, Iowa. Bidding has reached $19,100, and with the reserve met, this classic is days away from finding a new home.

Ford released its latest Thunderbird model for the 1964 model year. While it hadn’t completely abandoned the styling cues of its predecessor, it was undeniably more conservative, in keeping with prevailing market trends. This 1965 Convertible has a known history, having spent much of its life in sunny California. The seller is its third owner, moving the car to its current location last year. This is good news for potential buyers because the favorable climate has allowed this classic to remain rust-free. The seller states that the Prairie Bronze paint on most of its panels is original, although there appears to be a color mismatch in areas like the driver’s side front fender that may have received a touch-up. The car remains very presentable, and the buyer could opt for preservation if they aren’t concerned about perfection. The seller splashed some cash on the power top mechanism, replacing a range of parts that should ensure it operates perfectly for many years. The top itself shows its age, and even those focused on preservation will be tempted to replace it to ensure better wet weather protection. The seller didn’t restrict their spending to the top, with many trim pieces replaced to improve the car’s appearance. The tinted glass is in good condition, and the overall first impression is positive.

One of the challenges facing the owners of classic Convertibles is disguising a substandard interior with the top down. The winning bidder won’t face those dramas with this T-Bird, because the seller treated it to a fairly comprehensive retrim. New items include the correct Palamino vinyl seatcovers, matching door trims, seat foam, and carpet. The dash and console had survived remarkably well, and remain untouched. There were a couple of small operational faults that they addressed, meaning that arriving at a Cars & Coffee with the wind in their hair won’t cause the buyer embarrassment. There are no visible aftermarket additions, with this interior featuring power windows, a swing-away wheel, and a factory radio.

The originality of this Thunderbird extends to its numbers-matching drivetrain which is in excellent mechanical health. The car derives its 300hp and 427 ft/lbs of torque from a 390ci V8 that is teamed with a three-speed automatic transmission. Power-assisted steering and brakes round out the package, with front discs becoming standard fare for this model year. The Thunderbird’s suspension was considered quite soft in many contemporary road tests, and while vehicles like the Buick Riviera offered a more engaging driving experience, the Thunderbird maintained its market lead against the opposition. The seller claims that this Convertible has a genuine 39,000 miles on the clock without mentioning verifying evidence. However, the car’s ownership history means that such documentation may exist in the form of Service Records or other paperwork. The seller admits that the engine sports a new carburetor, including the original in the sale. The car is ready to hit the road with the new owner behind the wheel and should be considered a turnkey proposition.

The Fourth Generation Thunderbird sold in respectable numbers upon its 1964 release, but the tally dropped by around 20% the following year. Only 6,846 buyers selected a drop-top in 1965, making this a relatively rare vehicle at a time when North America was experiencing record new car sales. Lifting this Thunderbird Convertible’s presentation to a higher level courtesy of a light cosmetic refresh would be straightforward. The buyer doesn’t face the specter of major panel or rust repairs, and that approach would be understandable. However, there is something undeniably attractive about preserving this gem, allowing it to tell the story of the life it has led through its minor flaws and imperfections. Either approach is valid, but which would you choose?