Not to besmirch the respectable Thunderbird name, but in my opinion, the T-Bird lost a little exclusivity after it abandoned the unibody architecture it shared with its assembly-line mate, the Lincoln Continental. Sure, post-1966 T-Birds were sought after models of luxury transportation, but the 1958-66 model four seaters were something special, an event on wheels. In this last year of the unibody, Ford introduced the Town Landau seen here. With wide C-pillars harkening back to the original 1940 Continental Cabriolet, it was far and away the best seller in the line, and this example on eBay in Cincinnati, Ohio, looks like a fine example. It’s the subject of a no-reserve auction, and its current high bid is a mere $5,000.
Another new introduction for 1966 was the big 428-cubic-inch Ford FE, an option so inexpensive at $64.30 that I can’t believe that anyone would have ordered the standard 390. The 428 offered 30 more horsepower (345) and 35 more lb.-ft. of torque (462) than the standard engine, almost a no-brainer. Thunderbirds had a long list of standard equipment, including power steering and power front disc brakes, but this one has working optional air conditioning (a $412.90 option), which will make plenty of potential classic Thunderbird buyers happy. The transmission was the new-for-1966 C6 automatic, which replaced the old Cruise-O-Matic on all engines early in the model year.
Despite the four-seat T-Bird’s show car looks, the interior has always been where the personal luxury coupe shone brightest. The 1966 model was at the end of its traditional three-year styling cycle, but the interior still ranks among the best not only in Thunderbird history, but also in the history of the Big Three. The seller doesn’t mention which options this car has, but it has (at the very least) power windows, which included power vent windows on the Town Landau and were a $103.20 option. The Swing-Away steering wheel was standard.
Another new feature on 1966 models were taillights that stretched completely across the T-Bird’s rear end, and as they were in 1965, the turn signals were sequential.
The seller is presenting this Sapphire Blue Metallic T-Bird as being a survivor with “never any kids, pets, or smoking,” and “the undercarriage is as impressive as the rest of the car.” There are no pictures of the undercarriage attached to the eBay ad, but if it’s anything like the rest of the car, it appears that the seller is on the up and up. Ford sold 35,105 Town Landaus in 1966, which was over fifty percent of a total production run of 69,176. And that was that, the T-Bird would never be quite the same again. It’s a good thing you can still buy one today, and you might even get a reasonable price on it.
Wow bringing back the memories. My grandmother first started driving late
Her first car and the car I took my driver’s license test in was her 1960 Bird. Six years later she bought a new 1966 triple black Town and Country Landau. Yep a Q code car very nicely optioned. Then six years later the 72. Anyway I became the proud owner of a 66 Bird with a little over ten thousand miles on the car. Owned that car till the fuel crisis, yeah I was in the Air Force and fuel economy with all that weight and the 428, I sold it and have regretted it many times. It would roll down the highway at speed and just such a nice driving car. Disc brakes and plenty of power! A few muscle cars were humbled, yes it was equipped a with traction lock differential and the so called 345 HP engine pulled hard. Now the bad part was fuel economy, my reason for selling my beautiful Bird was 8 to 13 mpg with A/C running. My opinion is of the three years build of this car the 66 is the one to own. As far as that lack of rear side windows didn’t bother me now the rear passengers didn’t like it so much. The wipers are hydraulic driven off the power steering and had like 10 or 12 notches on the control lever. I could go on and on. Problem is I really don’t need another car. Got to start thining out the ones I own now. But is sure is a pretty car! 🤔
Brings back memories for me too, my uncle owned a used car lot and specialized in the early to mid 60’s birds. Some of the classier cars from the time period. This one looks fantastic.
Nice Town Landau. Thanks Toth 👍
Drove my 69 from Virginia to San Diego in 74 with 428 and 55 speed limit. Not a great pairing. Great luxury touring car but another gas crunch made me sell it.
As a 20 yr old, bought my first car, a mink colored ’67 Thunderbird with the suicide doors for only 300 bucks back in ’78. The ride was smooth as silk and had great pickup. Of course, I crashed it a few months later and messed up the whole front end. Had to sell it to the tow truck driver to have it towed because I couldn’t afford to fix it. Young and stupid but came out of it in one piece and a little wiser.
I loved those days. You could buy a 10 year old car dirt cheap. Usually $500 or less.
It was dirt cheap because gas became very expensive after the ’73 and ’79 gas shocks. Everybody was trying to get rid of their old gas guzzlers and buying malaise era Pintos and Chevettes. My brother himself bought a new Dodge Omni and boy was that a krappy car.
Friends of our family had a T-Bird much like this one but in a garnet red color with a black top. It has become my fave of all the mid-60s Birds.
Great writing Aaron. “… but the interior still ranks among the best not only in Thunderbird history, but also in the history of the Big Three.” I agree. When I think of attractive, stylish interiors, nothing beats a 64-66 T-Bird. “An event on wheels,” it surely was.
This example, being a Landau with the fetching blue theme (inside and out), looks great. Even underhood. Not much to criticize. Someone is going to end up with a desirable, cool car.
Bought my daughter a red on red ’66 Landau as her high school, rolling resto, weekend father-daughter project. At least, that was my hope. Turned out she’d rather not be home and drove it as is, of course. Anyway, I agree – the interior was magnificent. The curved back seat design was my favorite: in red it looked like a booth at an old school Manhattan steak house.
A stunning Thunderbird! Plus the 428. Gotta love it.
The 64′-66′ Thunderbirds in my opinion were the best of them all. The styling both outside and especially inside was magnificent. I’m a Mopar guy but I would still love to own one of these. This one really looks superb.
This EBay seller is featured here quite often. They always seem to come up with some decent cars that sell for a good price.
Texted the seller. Has 109,000 MLS. Repaint 30 years ago. No apparent bubbles so must have been good quality. I expect a lot of activity at the end. Might bid if it stays under 10.
I had my learner’s permit in the early 70’s & divorced Mom’s bf thought he would score point’s with her by taking me out to drive in his ’66 Tbird w/390. We went to the local arboretum/park scenic area. 25mph speed limit and he says “open her up”, I complied with ferocity, and he turned white while saying ok ok that’s enough as the tires squealed around corners! Memories are priceless, RIP Mom & Turk! If only I had space!
Already over 10. Wish I was closer to inspect.
11,100 now. If only I had space, I would bid on it. We already have 7 cars and garage space for 5, so I would have to spend another 10k+ for another garage.
My second car was a ’60 Thunderbird, with factory Nascar package (manual trans, Lincoln suspension, no PS). Only 532 built. Paid $300 in 1969.
Ended. Apparently, the seller didn’t get what he expected with the no reserve.