With nearly everything working, according to the seller, this 1966 Ford Thunderbird Town Landau Coupe in Accokeek, Maryland could get you into the thick of summer cruising season with minimal effort. Even the air conditioning works, according to the description here on Craigslist. Thanks to reader Mitchell G. for spotting this smooth fourth-generation T-bird.
No photos of the interior or engine made the listing, but there are six shots of the trunk upholstery, so here’s one to enjoy. I can think of worse places to curl up and keep quiet during a border crossing. If it’s anything like my late father’s ’66, the lid opens like a jewel box and closes with one finger. Whoever engineered the counterbalance on this series did it right.
While the famous convertible 1966 Thunderbird flew Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis to their destiny in the 1991 movie Thelma & Louise, this new-for-’66 Town Landau treatment appearing prominently in the sales literature of the day. The limousine or “Victoria” treatment, no side glass behind the door, graced nearly all 1966 Thunderbird coupes. The ’65-style quarter windows adorned 19% of total production, but I would have guessed lower by how rarely you see them.
Patched with metal *and* fiberglass, according to the listing, this floor pan is properly entombed for the near future. My Dad’s had a giant hole here through which I could observe the health of my lawn during early test drives. Though not shown, the power windows and locks work, according to the seller. The base 390 cid V8 made a stout 315 HP for ’66, the first year of Ford’s Corporate Blue engine paint.
In the ’70s, nearly everyone knew that some T-birds had sequential rear turn signals. They started in model year 1965 but became more pronounced in ’66 as part of this full-width light panel. Check out more details on this crowd-pleasing feature here at AutomotiveMilePosts. Though not shown, ’66 T-bird-style bucket seats appear in many hot rods and customs, thanks to their compact yet comfortable design and classy style. The rear opera seats wrap around into the side panels for extra comfort. Would you enjoy a flight in this snappy ’66 T-bird?
I’m not a Ford guy but it looks like good deal if you like these.Gotta see it in person. Trunk seams and where the trunk seal sits looks nice which is good indicator this is a solid car.Floor repair looks good. Can’t find too many classic cars in this shape in this condition for 6k anymore that’s for sure.Needs a few small things no biggie. Fair price from what I see in the pics.390’s were great engines. glwts.
My favorite year tbird!! Nice to see that you can still get nice examples for not a lot of coin.
My “second dad” and neighbor had a red 66 like this in the early 80’s. Wonderful car that I adored and kept tidy for him. He drove it daily and in NY winters, too. Till the rear suspension went pow right into the trunk. Bye bye, birdie! This seems like it has great potential if you have space and time. I’d consider it but not a sound financial decision right now.
I’m a total Ford Gearhead, so no need to sell me on how great Ford Thunderbirds are. The interesting thing about all Thunderbirds is no matter how much you love the current or past generations, you will always find something to love in the next one to come. Also, no two generations are too much like the next one. Every generation has something different from the last, and reinvent the Thunderbird into something new, and up until the 1977 model year, they seemed to always get larger and more luxurious. One of my all time favorites is the 1957, however it’s safe to say I have many top favorite Thunderbirds. The 64 through 66 were wildly different from the years before. In that generation, my favorite goes to the 65s. No other car foreign or domestic can beat the beautiful and yet sexy interior. There’s enough dashboard design to keep you fascinated for ever. Then just when you thought it couldn’t be any more beautiful, wham, here’s the 67, through 71, known as the “glamor birds” a little more refined, but absolutely gorgeous, meanwhile the exteriors were a knock out, in fact I owned a 1970, with a 429 cubic inch under the hood. They were known as the Binky Birds named after design manager, Binkie knesome who gave the Thunderbirds a beak in the middle of the grill, ⁸I way loved that Thunderbird, but the 73 oil crisis made those Thunderbirds not the car to have since it could only get 8 to 10, mpg. By 1972, the dashboards became more of a Ford corporate look. In 1974, Thunderbirds were huge, and the 74, through 76 exteriors, to me are pure American luxury. Styled very close to the Lincoln Mark lVs. For some reason I love their full width taillights divided by chrome lined squares, simple and yet classy and elegant. I love that look. The next generation from 77 to 1980 they began a major downsizing effort, but were still very much Thunderbirds. I even like the squared off 1980 through 82s, clearly they didn’t appeal to everyone but I liked them a lot. When the 84s rolled out, the Thunderbirds became very aerodynamic, again very different, from pervious years and to most other Big Three’s styling, a very cool modern design. The last generation in 2002, returned the Thunderbirds to two seaters. Ford labeled them the retro birds, and the public rejected them, admittedly, Ford could have done a better job with them. They were the last Thunderbirds Ford released. But I would bet the ranch, Ford will release another generation Thunderbird, maybe even an EV. The world just not right without Thunderbirds.
My parents had a 66 Landau and 6 kids…we fit
In 1966 there was also the 345 hp 428 available as an option.have seen one with a 428 in it.
Of the 3 years ( 64,65, 66) I think this is the best looking of the trio. Sadly, they get little love. When people put down 60K for a 21 window VW rust bucket and this car can’t even approach 10K for a selling price something is out of wack imho.
Hey Lance, I have to agree with you that the 66 was the best looking of the 3 year run. Front had a nice aggressive look. Beautiful cars that don’t get the appreciation that they deserve. I’d love one if I had the time and room for it.
I have one of these with the 428 and power everything. Drove it home from 30 miles away. Gas doesn’t work and one of the power vent windows didn’t work(easily fixed that). Replaced the trunk gasket as it was cracked. Paid $3500 for it about 10 years ago.
That should be”gas gauge”
My “first” car (Daddy had the pink slip) was a ’65 T-Bird convertible. I like the front roll pan and taillights better on the ’66. I’ll have to watch this one.
I live around 20 minutes from this car, and if someone is a serious buyer for it, I’m willing to check it out. I’m a former restoration shop owner & restorer, as well as a court certified forensic mechanic and vehicle valuation expert [Former NADA price guides advisory board member].
I already owned a 1976 ‘big bird’ and my neighbor had a 1966 T-bird just like the one featured. He would take the car for a Sunday morning spin, less than an hour once a month. The car was in perfect condition inside and out. I told him, ‘You ever want to sell your car, let me know, I am interested.’ I had not seen him back the car out of the garage in a while, so I asked him about it. He said, ‘I sold it to the mailman for $5000 dollars.’ I was a little upset, that he did not sell it to me, and 5K dollars was a bargain. Meanwhile, I got t-boned in my ‘big bird’ and my car was a total loss. I am grateful that the ‘big bird’ heavy metal saved my life, I walked away from the accident with no injuries.
Not a bad tbird for the money. If the a/c needs a recharge it doesn’t work. Will likely need conversion to R-134 which won’t be cheap. Still, if the car is solid a price at or below 8k isn’t bad. Leaves room for repairs which this car clearly needs.