Living in Bellevue, Washington for years after an earlier tenure in Tacoma, this 1965 Ford Thunderbird is refreshed and ready for someone new to love it. Tipmaster TJ is who we have to thank for the heads-up on this car. You can make it yours by coming up with $24,500 and responding to the ad here on craigslist. From that point, you might even be able to drive the car home. It has been on the road for club cruises and show duty of late. You’ll need some new whitewalls, though. The ones on the car look good, but are old.
After a 1955 launch, the Thunderbird proceeded through eleven generations, with a gap between the last two of these as the tenth-gen car (1989-97) ended consecutive production. One final go came in the form of an eleventh-generation retro-bird, the car which arguably began the practice of creating modern lookalikes of cherished marques. These last T-Birds ran from 2002-05, available only in two-seater configuration with a removable hardtop. The car in question comes from the fourth generation (1964-66), labelled the “Flair Bird” according to Hemmings. This generation saw an end to the convertible body set-up, which was not on offer for generations five through ten. The standard engine for this fourth generation was the 390-CID V8. Notable additions to the 1965 Thunderbird included the famous sequential turn signals and also front disk brakes.
The car in question has 59,000 miles on the clock. It was taken off garage-queen status in 2011 and went through a refreshment, as the seller labels it, of several systems. Those included the engine, suspension, exhaust, radio, and some interior trim. What does “refreshment” mean? Well, the engine certainly looks great. Did they go through the internals? A massive V8 like this would certainly be in no way worn out with this few miles on it (and less before it was gone through!). That is, unless it had been abused (hardly likely given that there’s even original-owner paperwork that goes with the car), so you’d kind of hope it was left more or less alone except for a gussying-up. The Frost Turquoise paint is apparently untouched from the factory, and the teal (T-Bird experts, you’re welcome to give us the correct name) interior complements the exterior’s blue wonderfully.
There was a day when nobody was much cared about this generation of Thunderbird. Attention was focused on the original, 1955-57 cars. Those have now percolated along at the same $30-40K number for years. Maybe most everyone who wants one, has one. Now it’s time for this mid-1960s era to have its day.
Gorgeous car, this seems like a bargain in today’s market.
It’s just beautiful, someone needs to give it a good home.
I’m getting old and over 60s cars. This is insanely cool.
Help me out; Frost Turquoise but it looks ‘sky blue’ or North Carolina blue to me. Is this just photography or me having some old man vision problem?
I’ve always thought these were under appreciated. Maybe they’re finally coming into their own. I was offered a ’64 for free about 20 years ago, not in this condition of course, but I had nowhere to put it.
Cool car for it’s time, but I’ve just never been a fan. I liked the 1st gen but this version does not have good eye appeal to me. Land yacht long, squared off roof line, but curved up front on the grill lines and hood scoop, with contrived fin-like body lines. A lot of interesting artistic ideas that don’t go all that well together, in my personal opinion. Love the interior, except for column shift with center console – again, an odd pairing to me. Your mileage may vary.
This is my favorite year T-Bird. From the sequential rear turn signals, disc brakes, safety glass, wide c-post roof line, and the chrome U spears behind the front wheel wells. If the color was hunter green with a black leather interior, it would be perfection. A totally stunning design IMHO.
Does the car have A/C
Doesn’t look like it from the pics under the hood. The compressor is supposed to be on the right side of the engine but apparently not there.
61-66 birds are really undervalued and always have been. They are extremely well built but the unibody makes them heavy. This is an opportunity for somebody to get a beautiful mostly original car. I currently have a project car in a 64 Bird. If I tried to make it this nice I’d spend twice the asking price of this car. Hope someone gets this one and enjoys it. No AC but it does have factory cruise control.
Yes, I saw that on the window sticker and the under hood equipment is present. I thought the control switches were supposed to be on the steering wheel, though, and don’t see them (?)
There is a button on the console that you pull up to engage and then also in the console a wheel that you move forward or rearward to adjust the speed. If you look at the service manual they are crazy complex even having a bellows to apply the brake if you get over the set limit. I’ve never seen one that works but they are definitely interesting. The 66 bird cruise moved to the steering wheel.
About $6K higher than a #1 condition Bird. Although it has been “refreshed” Even not figuring in transport costs, still to much on ask. Car looks really sharp, and will turn heads, but it does not justify the ask.
My first car was a black 65 convertible, aka The Batmobile. I used to jump over the door with the top down with the aid of the swing away steering wheel. Mine was abused, I was 17 when I got it.
My first car was a ’67 Tbird with suicide doors. That car was smooth as silk and power galore. Was 19 at the time and paid only $600 back in ’79. Unfortunately, got into an ice accident and bent the front end underneath. Don’t remember what I did with it afterwards though.
Beautiful looking example with the optional spinner wheel covers. I have seen some very nice original and restored cars over the years and one of my pet peeves is the use of an aftermarket pull tab radiator cap on another wise great restoration or original car. Why? Correct reproductions are available at a very reasonable cost.
That car has factory cruise control, which is a vacuum operated nightmare with brittle bakalite pieces that are crumbly and non reproduced.
On the plus side, it’s the first year of Disc Brakes on a t-bird, that are the huge 4 piston caliper type and really stop these heavy cars nicely.
Looks like a climb in and go car. Absolutely beautiful. Worth it too. Price is right around what it should be, give or take a bit. But yeah, you can’t restore a car like this from just a running status. My favorite color combo on these Birds was the “Triple Red”. My grandmother had a 1964 T-bird in the triple red color combo. She had it from 1966 to 1993. Must have been a “Custom Order “ because I’ve only seen one or two in all these years. Great cars love’em. Hope the new owner keeps it mint because it’s a lot cheaper to maintain rather than restore. Good luck. Awesome article too.
This is what I did with mine
The 1965 Thunderbird was also the first vehicle with safety glass included!
Beautiful car at a fair price.I’m not into t birds or Fords for that matter but I really like it and the color.I’m getting old I guess .Oh well.
From the pictures shown, it’s certainly worth the money. Beautiful car. Love the color combo.
Firewalls were painted black on Ford products.