Ford would redesign the Thunderbird for the third time in 1964 and had a winner on their hands. Sales increased by 46% over the prior year as the car gained a squarer, formal look for the next three years. The seller’s ’64 has been treated to some mild customizing of the body and looks terrific from what we can see. It may only need an engine, transmission, and some light tinkering to be a complete automobile once again. Stored in a clean storage unit in Lake Havasu City, Arizona, this T-Bird is exclusively available here on Barn Finds Classifieds for $6.500.
Though the styling was new, underneath the Ford was the unibody structure that began with the 4-seat Thunderbirds of 1958. That would change again when the bigger, more luxurious Birds would debut in 1967. From the factory, this ’64 Ford would have been equipped with a 390 cubic inch V8 that produced 300 hp with a Cruise-O-Matic automatic transmission. Power steering and brakes were standard, of course, and this car has power windows. As a side note, the sexy 2-seat Sports Roadster with the tonneau cover didn’t return for 1964, but convertible buyers could get one installed by the dealer if they chose to go that direction.
It looks as though a lot of solid work has gone into giving this ’64 T-Bird coupe a mild cosmetic custom. The wheel wells are lightly flared, the door handles have been shaved, and a slick-looking silver/blue paint job has been applied. The front clip is loosely attached for easier transport and may make dropping in the drivetrain of your choice a bunch easier. The car also wears some great Billet wheels that go nicely with the custom steering wheel.
Mechanically the car isn’t stock. Wilwood disc brakes, a heavy-duty rear end, traction bars, front airbags and a customized front suspension have been added. There are several boxes of parts in the storage unit that will go along with the car. Though located in Arizona, the car will come with a clean California title. This is a sweet project that looks to be 80% of the way to completion. Would you source a stock 390 engine or go for something a bit wilder to fit the new looks of this machine?
Shelling out good $$ for a steering wheel that was going to be hot for a nanosecond. Hope he saved the original wheel.
Wasn’t 1961 a major design change. A far shift from the Square Birds.
A hot rod Thunderbird, still thinking about those little Hot Wheels maybe I’ll call this TNT ‘Bird, named after one of my favorite red line HW’s.
Like the look here, of what I can see anyways, don’t recal too many hopped up t-birds ever. Okay,
428 Cobra Jet, C6 auto with the bang screech treatment, 3.5’s in the rear. Not over done but a very deep heavy sounding exhaust, leave the steering wheel and gauges, out of the speakers “baby, you’re no good” by Van Halen, never in a hurry and driven deliberately cool, I think this could be a real eye grabber. Just keepin’ it fun
I’ve seen this car, very nice. Interior is brand new and beautiful. Car is set up for a 460, has rack and pinion steering, airbags. Rearend is manufactured housing 9″, aftermarket axles, unknown gear or carrier.
Wow!! What a steal. A nicely sorted project with a lot of potential. This would be a great candidate for a Coyote/TR6060 swap all day long in my mind. Even the wheels/steering wheel theme works for this car and color combo. Nice project!!
Per the comment prior to yours, the car is “set up for a 460.” So instead of shoehorning in a Coyote, you might as well shoehorn in a 460 based Kase Boss 9.
if you are serious about this car….look real close at pics of front susp. I did not like some welding and fitment in there,look close at frame near right edge of pic of front right ,..seems like not very good planning on this one….why was frame cut? maybe since price is ok….you might be able to fix it, but not too sure, big power..big heavy car…questionable welding….not good mix!