One look at this bronze beauty and you can see why that for ten consecutive years, Ford’s personal luxury automobile was still “Uniquely Thunderbird” as they advertised. There were competitors in 1965, primarily Buick’s beautiful Riviera, and some think Ford’s Mustang probably impacted Thunderbird’s 19% dip in sales from 92,465 units in the 1964 model year to 74,972 ’65 ‘Birds sold. Although the seller doesn’t mention it in the ad, a little online research revealed that this is a somewhat rare ’65 Thunderbird Special Landau (4,500 or 6% of total ’65 ‘Bird production) that’s currently nesting in Edgewood, Washington. It is listed for sale here on craigslist for $7,900. Thanks again to Curvette for sending this fab-looking Flair Bird our way.
With 1964 being a major sheetmetal redesign from the previous generation of Bullet Birds, only minor changes (trim, wheel covers, grille) were made to the ’65 Thunderbirds. Front disc brakes were standard as was the Swing-Away steering wheel, and after a year delay, the gimmicky-but-still-cool sequential rear turn signals made their debut. I can’t help but think of the bronze Chrysler Turbine Car when I see this Thunderbird. It’s painted a beautiful color and was only available on the Special Landau as was the parchment-colored vinyl top (with the faux landau irons). The paint and vinyl top look presentable as does the chrome, trim, badging, and glass. There are also photos of the T-Bird’s deep-well trunk which was larger than the Bullet Birds’ and offered 11.5 cubic feet of luggage space.
Thunderbirds always had the best interiors in my book, and the fourth-generation Flair Birds with their cockpit-inspired gauges and layout were no exception. The Special Landau also offered a bit more simulated walnut trim as you can see on the door panels and instrument panel. The parchment leather interior appears to be in good shape and the ‘Bird’s distinctive “shell-contour” front bucket seats and wraparound rear seat are still the coolest. This Special Landau has power windows, power seats, power brakes and Ford’s Cruise-O-Matic transmission. It also had Ford’s Silent-Fl0, the first windows-closed, flow-through ventilation system on an American car.
The engine photos were taken outdoors in the shade and are very, very dark. All Thunderbirds came equipped with a 390-cubic-inch, 4-barrel, 300-horsepower Thunderbird Special V8. A generic 100,000 miles is listed on the odometer and the seller states, “lots new: alternator, starter and solenoid, battery, complete tune up, rebuilt carb, new brake system and more. Drives good.” With its sleek mid-60’s styling and luxurious features, many (including this T-Bird lover) think the fourth-generation ’64-’66 “Flair Birds” were the last of the true Thunderbirds. With its great color combination and condition, and relatively low production number, this is one of the most striking and desirable ’65 Thunderbirds I’ve ever seen. What do you think?
OMG, why is this in Washington State? And why am I in Michigan? This is probably the only T-Bird I’d trade my ’63 for. It’s not perfect, but I don’t think it’ll last for long at $7,900. I love Special Landaus…Ron, you’ve assured I’ll be anxious all day thinking about this thing. Thanks a lot! :)
So let me get this right, someone wants $15grand for a lowly Gremlin, and half that for this? Koo-koo( spinning finger around ear)
I can’t add anything to Rons post, he knows a nice car when he sees one. These were advertised as the airplane pilots choice, with overhead consoles and aircraft dash. I read, this was probably the most expensive “Gentlemans Cruiser”, and close to $5grand new. A ’65 Riviera was about $4300 and a Grand Prix about $3800, so it took practically a pilot to own one. Surprisingly, an airline pilot in 1965 made about $4800/year, and not much more than most jobs then. I certainly can’t understand why this hasn’t been sold yet, it’s one of the most beautiful cars from the 60s, possibly ever.
My favorite, like arron, why am I in NC? OMG I just admire these T birds, another that would be the Belle of the Car Show
Just a beautiful car. Little odd that the driver’s side fender skirt looks darker, but I would take a chance if it were closer. IDK, I like to day drive my classic auto in the good weather summer months and I can’t trust a sixty year old car. On the other hand these are a lot easier to work on if all the bolts aren’t rusted solid.
Skirt may be original paint but car repainted?
What a cool driver just as it is. If not rusty and runs and drives well it’s quite a buy. Love the color combo too, most seem to be white or red.
Beautiful T Bird. This is absolutely a beautiful color combination too. I agree with Ron, it does remind me of the Chrysler Turbine color. The price is actually very reasonable I think too. It probably won’t last long.
Love this and the 69 455 Rivvy posted here. But the interiors of these were superior to any of the other gentleman’s 2 door luxury cars of the day. If this were closer to FL I may sneak it into my garage and sleep with the dog for a few weeks!
Great color and interior why can’t we have nice things now
Why am I in another country ? If I were in the US, I’d be all over this like Trump on orange.
What a lovely car. Nearly worth being a DD if the drivetrain were reliable enough.
Washington State is too far away… but she’s a BEAUTY!
Just look at this beautiful Ford Thunderbird. It has great design, great colors, and if it drove by, I would turn my head and continue looking at it. The Ford motor company builds. Nothing that they ASSEMBLE would do this to me today. All they know how to build are a bunch of overweight and oversized and overpriced trucks and SUVs. And from what I’ve read, dealer lots are just chucked full of them and they’re not selling. You gotta wonder how bright Ford management is?
I would go after it if it was closer looked at the craig list ad it is nice.
This is a beautiful sixty year old Thunderbird for $7,900! If it were closer I’d take a look at this bargain.
Hmmm, Discount ticket to SeaTac for 99 bucks, a 2500 mile, 40 hour drive back, VISA, AMEX and AAA cards in my wallet. Gotta find a buddy with wrenches who’s up for a road trip.
Dang it! An earlier lecture to family members about impulse buying just came back to bite me.
These are probably my favorite year T-Birds. Those beautiful interiors and crisp exterior styling. Plus in that gorgeous rare bronze it’s a winner from all angles.
This is a very rare color and option package, simply gorgeous and reasonably priced too! Parents had a white
/black ’64 that was a super smooth cruiser! But this color is soo good on this car! Too bad I don’t own a 5 car garage😢
Hubba Hubba George. That is one fine looking bird!
My mom worked for a butcher in a small corner grocery store. The butchers wife had the same exact car. It was gorgeous. Unfortunately it was a daily driver in Iowa and the salt eventually destroyed the car.
Was the ’66 Ford color listed as Emberglo the same color as this?
I’m with other posters, this is a beautiful car. I had the same question about the color. One article I found stated the color was available on just the Special Landau for 1965, then was expanded to other Fords (and Lincolns?) for 1966. But I did not try to cross-reference paint codes. Emberglo is one of my favorite colors of this era.
I love the early 4 seat Thunderbirds. The 59’s and 62’s seem to be my favorites, but I sure wouldn’t mind having this 65 in my driveway. It’s probably a good thing for my marriage that it’s 3000 miles away.
It is a shame that someone put body side moldings on it. I know a lot of people like them to “protect” their cars from parking lot dings, but I’ve never been convinced moldings not designed for a car or by the car’s original designer, are an improvement over generic moldings just stuck on the side of a car.
I’d do a road trip all the way back to the midwest with that. I’d film it as well. Almost thinking of about it.
If I was younger I would definitely look at this
Do you think it looks like the Chrysler turbine car???
Is it sold? It’s no longer listed on Craigslist.