When looking for cars to write about for Barn Finds, I often find myself searching for cars that would make fine drivers for collectors on a budget. My criteria are simply that the car may need a small amount of work, is easy to work on, solid overall, and it has to be offered at a price that most beginning collectors could afford. While perusing Craigslist, I found this 1964 Ford Thunderbird, painted in an interesting dark Jade green, that some of you might be interested in. While this fourth generation Thunderbird does not currently run, the owner is working to get it back on the road in Summerville, Georgia. Currently, the price in the Craigslist ad reads $4,000 or best offer, but the seller seems to be very motivated.
The fourth generation of the Thunderbird lasted only from 1964 through 1966. Unfortunately, the Thunderbird had flown far from its stylish and sporty beginnings by this time, morphing into what could best be described as a personal luxury coupe. Still packing the 390 cubic inch V-8, the Thunderbird’s powerful engine was held back by its portly 4,500 pond curb weight and handling was hampered by the softly sprung suspension. However, Ford began improving the cars the next year, adding front disc brakes and sequential taillights in 1965, and a 428 cubic inch engine option in 1966. Most of these Thunderbirds were backed by Ford’s Cruise-O-Matic three speed automatic transmission, with the later 390 and 428 equipped cars received the new for 1966 C-6 3 speed automatic. Some Thunderbirds in 1966 were reportedly equipped with the fire breathing 427 engine, but production was rumored to be only 120 cars and details are hard to come by. Perhaps one of our readers can tell us more about them.
Overall, this generation of Thunderbird was a hit on the sales floor. Ford sold 92,465 of these cars in 1964 alone, with 236,613 of this design being produced overall by the time production ended in 1966. Three body styles were offered: a hardtop, a Landau (with a vinyl top, landau bars, and a wood grained interior), and a convertible. Some of the convertibles were converted into sports roadsters with a dealer installed kit that consisted of a tonneau cover and a set of wire wheels.
While the 1965 and 1966 cars are a bit more desirable, the 1964 models still make fine road cars. This 1964, according to the owner began life as a cream colored car that was sprayed over with a dark jade green many years ago. While not a factory color, the jade green looks particularly good with the formal styling of this generation. The car originated in California, and the seller claims that there are no sign of rust anywhere in the car. For a Ford of this era, that is a fairly rare occurrence.
While the car is currently not drivable, the engine does run, and the car was driven through the gears while on jack stands. The problem seems to be a contaminated fuel system, and the owner has purchased a set of fuel lines and a gas tank to install. This issue is very common for old cars that have sat unattended for long periods of time, and the car will likely run well after some work. Of course, a thorough check of the transmission, cooling system, and some time with a compression gauge would be in order before peeling off any cash from your money roll.
Compared to other Thunderbirds, the values on the fourth generation cars hve never really taken off. Part of that may be the styling, which hasn’t aged well. The other part may be the competition in the collector car market with similar personal luxury cars, and even other Fords such as Galaxies and Fairlanes. The good news is that a low price now gives you one of the top of the line cars from 1964. With a little elbow grease and a new coat of paint, you could be riding in style to the nearest cruise in. While they aren’t the prettiest of the Thunderbirds, they are a good value, and a rust free one is worth more than $4,000.
I think these are gorgeous and the instruments were great looking as well. A lot of car for a (usually) two seater.
Actually the car shown is not a 1964 Thunderbird to begin with. The 1964 was the only year with letters thunderbird spelled out on the hood and the 64 did not have door trim such as this car. This car is a 65 or 66.
Absolutely. I was going to say the same thing. My first car was a 64. The one in the photos is a 65. The 64 had letters on the hood and the tail lights had thunderbird emblems instead of the blocks.
No interior shots, no reference to mileage and 5 pictures only. Goes a little lacking IMO.
I think this is a 1965.
The interior of these cars is spectacular enough to make me like them,and, personally, I like the nose and rear deck styling, also. They wear lighter colors well. I’ve seen them become pretty eye catching done in coral pink, and even baby blue.
It’s a funny business as always trying to figure out what people are willing to pay for a car. This 1963 is completely rust free and has had thousands of dollars spent on it for mechanical restoration, including engine and tranny rebuild as well as a complete suspension rebuild. The front seats need reupholstery. The paint is 20 years old but still looks very nice. There are no takers at $7,000. One likely reason is the vinyl top and fear of rust underneath. The top is original and in bad shape, but there’s no rust under the top. I suspect even with a new top or the top repainted, and the seats redone, this old bird might still not sell for $7,000.
https://www.camcarsales.com/1963_Ford_Thunderbird_Sacramento_CA_10243666.veh
There is something odd about Thunderbirds and their values. I always think they should sell higher than they do, especially since the early 60’s versions are one of the few cars of that era that ooze class both outside AND inside. Love the dash, love the back seat, love the swing away steering wheel, the door handle in the side trim. It’s a class act all around.
Having said that my brother picked up this solid 390 convertible up here in good ol’ not-friendly-to-ragtop-weather Canada for a mere $5000 this summer ($4000 USD) What a steal.
These had some of the neatest wrap around back seats.
Favorite era T-Bird. Airline inspired interior ( Ford even showed pilots driving them)
http://i.pinimg.com/736x/d2/36/9c/d2369cb53053a1616e0f6a2e35a34817–my-dad-classic-auto.jpg
Seems like a deal. Not sure why T-Birds haven’t kept pace with other collectibles. One reason perhaps, there sure are enough of them ( 189 on Hemmings alone) Most T-birds, I read, weren’t daily drivers, and the owners cared for them. Don’t forget the “swing-away” steering wheel.
I’d put this car back to its original white with white top pretty quickly. I like the first five generations of T Birds equally.
This is a 1965 BTW. Not a ’64.
1964 had the word “Thunderbird” spelled out across the hood. Had different side trim, and had one piece tail-lights (Not sectioned).
I do believe that only 1966 T-Bird had solid taillights across the back. A friend of mine had one. Check it out. Thanks B.
I want to see how those “sequential headlights” work!
Indeed it is a ’65. The ’64 would have had the word Thunderbird spelled out between the tail light too.
I don’t think Shelby used the sequential headlights, very rare option. I’ve heard of it but never actually seen it😄
First generation Cougars used the sequential taillights as well.
Repair costs for early T Birds were horrendous due to the complexity of the car in the 60’s. I know of several owners back in the day complaining of this. A simple low cost repair on any other car was about 3 to 4 times the cost on a T Bird. This is one of the reasons I have no interest in them. Just a heater core replacement requires the removal of the entire dashboard.
I dunno bout that. Every major component on the Tbird is ths same component used on Ford pickup trucks, vans, and other car lines. Even stuff like wiper motors. I don’t see how cost is high just because its a Tbird.
Heater core replacement involves removing dash on lots of cars, not unique at all.
Heavily overshadowed by the mustang by collectors as far as Ford’s go, it’s nice that something like this is still affordable for most of us. They were heavy thirsty highway bombers capable of plenty of speeding tickets. Expensive status symbols back then for the midlife crisis type? Not sure.
IMHO This 1964 was a return to high style. As apposed to the 61 to 63 Birds which {Apparently best selling of all Birds) seemed to have lost their way.
To me the 1961 Tbird is as sophisticated as the 1961 Lincoln Continental. Both are called slab slded but are more elegant imho. 63-64 saw more sculpturing on the sides, more chrome trim etc.
I think the early ones look better slab sided or not.
I was 10 years old when this was new. My friend’s parents had a dark green 1965 Thunderbird (as well as a dark green 1965 Mustang convertible, his parents were, I thought, rich). Probably about 1967, one Friday night, his parents took him, me and his older sister and one of her friends to the local high school’s (50 mile) away football game (all four of us preteen and teen kids in that wrap around back seat). It was tight, but I felt special riding in a Thunderbird. His dad traded the T-Bird for a 1968 Chrysler New Yorker, then a 1969 Chrysler New Yorker, then a 1969 Lincoln Continental. They were coming one Saturday to pick me up to go to the movies. I was so excited I was going to ride in a Lincoln. When they got there, his dad was driving a 1970 Ford Galaxie 500. I was disappointed, but assumed he had traded his wife’s 1968 Impala for the Galaxie. I found out later they had hit on some hard times and had to sell the Lincoln.
What you have there is a 1965 not a 1964.
This is a 65, not a 64
Have a 66 bird. Special order and still has the man’s name black that Ford put on the T-Birds on the dash. Plan to sell it
Great article. The 427 was offered in beginning in 1964 to (allegedly) 66. The only one’s I’m familiar with are 1964 and 1965 models. A red 1964 convertible with a 427 was listed for sale this summer ($75K). They were fire breathers of their day, producing 425 hp and capable of 13 quarter-mile times. Apparently only 6 still exist in the USA, with a few others reported in Europe and Australia.