Over the years, certain generations of the Ford Thunderbird have developed nicknames. The 2-seat 1955-57 T-Birds are sometimes called “Baby Bird”, the 1958-60s were “Square Birds”, the 1961-63 models called “Bullet Birds”, and the 1964-66 were the “Flair Birds”. The seller’s car is a ’64 edition, but it doesn’t have a lot of flair anymore. The engine is seized, and the 35-year-old repaint is past its prime. Located in Parksville, British Columbia, this rusty project is available here on craigslist for $2,000 (USD?). Yet another great tip from Curvette!
Pundits once criticized Ford for switching the early Thunderbirds from a 2-seat configuration to seating for four. But the sales numbers bore out the decision, and the T-Birds from 1958 forward sold in much larger quantities than the 1955-57 Baby Birds. By the time 1964 came around and the seller’s car was built, sales were a very respectable 75,000 units. Of those, 21,000 were the Landau model, which meant it came with a vinyl roof, had special chrome trim on the C-pillars, and a higher level of goodies in the passenger compartment.
The seller’s car should have a 390 cubic inch V8 (rated at 300 hp), paired with a 3-speed Cruise-O-Matic transmission. We’re told the former has water in it and has seized up, even though the odometer reading may only be 46,000 miles (maybe 146,000?). After the Ford was repainted about 35 years ago, it was parked in a carport, and things started to go downhill. The headliner and vinyl top were also new, but are they salvageable now?
Rust has begun to consume the rear quarter panels, and the driver’s side floor pan is rusty and has a hole in it. Whatever trim seems to be missing is said to have been collected, and the photos show a set of door panels sitting by themselves. You’ll even get a set of wire wheel covers to go with the cheap wheels purchase. Is this a project you’d entertain?
Poor T-Bird. Realistically, I don’t think there is much to work with here. Too bad, these were cool and classy cars, especially the interiors.
What does water in the transmission tell you…?
Carport became lousy house boat?
This “Flair Bird” has flared out. And the engine is seized? They’ll do that when they’re underwater which is what this car looks like it once was. I’d bet the transmission is on the fritz too.There’s too much wrong here .The car will only be good for spares.
If its listed in Canada then its going to be Canadian dollars, unless specified USD. I would think this would be obvious considering everything we Canadians buy in our country is in Canadian dollars.