- Seller: Michael B (Contact)
- Location: San Marcos, California
- Mileage: 90,677 Shown
- Chassis #: 4Y83Z134535
- Title Status: Clean
- Engine: 390 cui V8
- Transmission: Automatic
A classic doesn’t necessarily need to be rare, exotic, or brutally fast to be enjoyable. Sometimes you just want a big V8, air conditioning, power steering, plenty of chrome, and a cabin that feels like the designers drew inspiration from a jet cockpit. That’s exactly the formula offered by this 1964 Ford Thunderbird Hardtop, which is located in San Marcos, California, and offered as a Barn Finds Auction with a reserve. The Thunderbird shows 90,677 miles and carries a clean title. Finished in pale blue over a matching blue interior, it represents the first year of Ford’s third-generation styling.
Power comes from the familiar 390 cubic-inch V8, equipped with a four-barrel carburetor and backed by an automatic transmission. Power steering and power brakes should make the big coupe an easy cruiser, while factory air conditioning adds considerable appeal for anyone planning to actually use it during warmer months.
The exterior photos show exactly why these Thunderbirds remain interesting more than sixty years later. The long hood, formal roofline, sculpted quarter panels, and vast expanses of brightwork create a car that looks expensive even standing still. This example retains its factory-style wheel covers and narrow whitewall tires, helping preserve the period appearance. Given their styling, this generation of T-Bird is often called the “Flair Bird” amongst enthusiasts.
The gallery shows the underside extensively. Age-related surface corrosion and undercoating are visible, but the photographs give bidders a useful look at the floors, suspension mounting areas, exhaust, and other structural components rather than relying entirely on exterior beauty shots.
Inside is where a 1964 Thunderbird really separates itself from an ordinary Ford. The cabin includes the famous swing-away steering wheel, which moves toward the center of the car to improve entry and exit. Ahead of the driver sits the dramatic “jet pod” instrument cluster, while a full-length center console divides the front seats. A factory AM radio remains fitted. The blue vinyl interior complements the exterior nicely and appears substantially complete. The Thunderbird was designed as a personal-luxury car rather than a stripped muscle machine, and the broad seating, bright trim, console, and elaborate instrumentation make that mission obvious.
The car’s data plate remains intact, providing prospective buyers another useful piece of documentation. More valuable Thunderbirds and considerably faster 1960s Fords exist, but these cars offered a great balance of comfort, style, and performance. A Flair Bird delivers enormous visual presence and a genuine 390 V8 without requiring Shelby or big-block muscle-car money.
The seller has set a reasonable reserve, so this could be an accessible way to own a stylish 1960s cruiser that offers enough comfort to encourage you to use it. The swing-away steering wheel might get people talking when you park it, but the real question is whether you’d rather show this Thunderbird—or point that long hood toward the coast and spend the afternoon driving it.
Bid On This Auction
chieftbird bid $2,750.00 2026-10-12 23:26:45
Turbodan bid $2,500.00 2026-10-12 17:13:33- chieftbird bid $1,000.00 2026-10-10 22:40:13
Slb0151 bid $750.00 2026-10-10 15:01:52- chieftbird bid $500.00 2026-10-10 10:41:03
Color is Diamond Blue, got a ’65 Landau almost identically equipped. Despite the lack of sequential rear turn signals I always liked ’64’s the best. Nice example, appears to need nothing but a new smiling face behind the wheel.
Thank you
Very nice T-Bird. Great example of the 60’s when automotive choices were expanding rapidly. I hope it goes to a new home where the buyer will enjoy driving it and will continue to maintain it.
I agree, thanks
One of the best interior designs ever put in an automobile!
You can say that again,
Thanks 9
Has there ever been a cooler backseat in any car?
I love this ride I had one just like it in 1977 my dad payed 1500 bucks at Rudolph Chevrolet in elpaso Texas I was 19yrs old and had a girlfriend with a new baby dad was helping me out unfortunately I got tboned by a drunk driver and the car was totaled I only had it for 8months
Miki: Just curious about the driver’s door panel. The ’64’s vs the ’65/’66’s had no finger well to close the door and had a hard time weathering the years. Also, in addition to what you already mentioned, the ’64’s had all drum brakes, the door latching mechanism’s were different, and some early ones didn’t have remote mirrors. Is the top white, or camera reflection? The hubcaps are ’65 deluxe. I’m going to keep my eye on this, and if at all possible, will bid to win. I live on the East Coast. Thanks for any answers you may have.
Good luck. I’m not a big Ford fan, but this is a nice car. Nice options, beautiful condition, plenty of power, I’m sure it will be a pleasure to own and bring to shows and meets.
Yes, it’s white top , and the mirrors; are remote, hub caps were on it when I got it.
Thanks
Good luck on bidding
Hi, Miki
I sincerely hope I didn’t give you the impression that I’m nitpicking…that’s the furthest from the truth. I’m well beyond 3/4th of a century in age, and I’ve been involved with Thunderbirds (ie: judging, owning and restoring) most of my life. I’ve just noticed that in the last 10 or so years, the younger owners/sellers are prone to accept a vehicle as built. Unless there’s supporting documentation, it’s offered as “factory”
This T-bird is absolutely beautiful. The items I mentioned were for information. This is a well-optioned, standard hardtop. The interior alone contains nearly everything Ford could put in it. The body is in excellent shape, and whomever wins the auction will have a car to be proud of.
Good luck with the auction.
Thank you ,I didn’t mean to seem short with my last post, it was done in a hurry so you’re questions could be answered, that’s all, thank you again, fellow senior
neat car but would never buy 1. i had to work on the wipers and they run off the p/s system what b/s system to get right. why not just put a price on it?
Thank you , and I have a buy it now set at 10,500.00 .
And set the reserve lower than that,
Any one interested is welcome to contact me with offers.
I just want to pay a compliment to Miki the seller. You have a beautiful T Bird. Love that interior, and I agree with the comment above by Ken and Elmo, one of the nicest interiors designed. This is absolutely beautiful and I hope it get the same care its received from you while you owned it.
Fabulous automobile! My mom’s 1964 dealer demonstrator was a dark blue model. She had several T-Bird demonstrators through the years before she and Dad sold their dealership in the mid 1980s. She always said that her 1964 demo was her favorite and wished that she had asked Dad to buy it and keep it. As a twist, years later (2013) after Dad had passed, we were moving Mom closer to us, I found a set of car keys to that 1964 T-Bird. I knew that they went to the ‘64 as 1964 was the last year that Ford used “one-sided” keys. Went to reversible keys in 1965. For fun, I tried them in my 1956 T-Bird and THEY WORK! I know that back then the cut would be repeated somewhere down the line but thought it ironic that I would have been privy to two of them. Would love to buy this beauty in honor and memory of my mom but I just don’t have the room😞. Hope this Bird finds a great new home with an owner who will appreciate it as much as my mom appreciated her demo.
I bought a 1967 4 door T-bird with the suicide doors in 1979 for only $300. It had a fantastic ride and I loved it. Unfortunately, as a 21 year old, I had an accident with it when it spun out of control on a slippery road and couldn’t afford to fix the messed up front end. Had to sell it to the tow truck guy for $50 to have it towed away. Really missed that car with the pillowy ride.
I had a ’66, which wasn’t a lot different than this, and my favorite thing about that car was the interior. Who wouldn’t like that cockpit? And the “cocktail” seating in the rear? And those cars are great freeway eaters. About the sequential turn signals. It was a very simple circuit with a motorized in series with the power side. It had six contacts, three handled the left and the other three did the right.
Article says 3rd generation, 64-66 is the 4th