There is no justice in this world if this 1965 Thunderbird isn’t sold today. Friend of Barn Finds T.J. spotted this recent posting on craigslist in Vancouver, Washington, for an obscenely fair price of $14,500. A restored, rust-free classic with an original interior and the T-Bird’s cachet should really be significantly more valuable, but for some reason, the attractive unibody ‘Birds of 1961 to 1966 have languished in the market (especially the hardtops). The seller’s grandparents purchased the car new from Joe Fisher Ford in Portland, Oregon. What a day that must have been, signing the papers, pulling into the driveway with the neighbors peeping out their windows like Mrs. Kravitz on Bewitched, all secretly (or not-so-secretly) envious. Wonder how much he makes? These days, it’s obviously easier to get into a T-Bird than it was back then, but it’s no less rewarding. Let’s take a look at this one.
The seller has included pictures of the car’s original paperwork, which shows a lightly-optioned Thunderbird with an extremely early build date. According to the door tag, this ’65 model was scheduled for production at the Wixom Assembly Plant on August 4, 1964, and since its VIN ends in 100351, it was the 351st T-Bird scheduled for the ’65 model year. If the paperwork is correct, the invoice was printed on August 3rd and the car was received at Joe Fisher Ford on August 23rd.
The ’65 model was little different from the new-for-1964 T-Bird, but it did have a couple significant upgrades that make it (in my opinion) a better car. First, it got a set of widely advertised power front disc brakes. Second, it was the first year for sequential taillights (the seller says they work perfectly, as does everything else on the car). The interior, with its wild aircraft-inspired dashboard, bucket seats, and full console, is original (aside from the carpet). The dash pad looks perfect and the seats look almost new.
Many will disagree, but being a lightly optioned car has its advantages. Manual windows are far less of a hassle than dealing with four power units (my ’63 T-Bird is a power window car, and I wish it weren’t), and the lack of an air conditioning compressor under the hood opens up some much needed work space in the surprisingly cramped engine compartment. In the cool Pacific Northwest, it probably wasn’t necessary anyway.
The engine compartment is about all I can find fault with throughout the car: the “custom” valve covers and air cleaner give the engine a look that doesn’t mesh with the T-Bird’s relaxed purpose. These are not fast cars; with the sturdy Ford 390 four barrel and 300 rated horsepower, the ’65 T-Bird was capable of a zero-to-60 time of 10.3 seconds and a quarter-mile time of 17.5 seconds at 79 miles per hour (according to the November 1964 issue of Car Life magazine). That was adequate but hardly exhilarating, but the T-Bird was built for effortless cruising, something it did (and does) exceptionally well. For those who prize originality, the original carburetor (an Autolite 4100) has been replaced by an Edelbrock. The seller says that the engine and transmission were rebuilt when the car was restored 12 years ago.
Let us recap: We have a car that has been lovingly restored yet maintains most of its original interior. It’s been owned by the same family for almost 61 years and has a claimed 84,718 miles on the odometer. It’s painted a subdued but lovely shade of “Chantilly Beige” and it has the historical curiosity of a very early build date. And the asking price is $14,500. I may not be as envious as the neighbors were when the original owners of this ’65 T-Bird pulled in the driveway, but Mrs. Kravitz might want to save me a spot in the window.
Good write-up Aaron. This generation of T-Birds are attractive, especially the highly-styled interiors, which looks great in black with all the chrome trim. The car appears to be in great shape. Cruise in style.
“Wonder how much he makes”/ Mrs. Kravitz: Reminded me of a senior citizen widow/divorcee (not sure which) who lived up the street from young me. Her house was newer and nicer, and curiously (and coincidentally), she drove a new Thunderbird. In my small, very blue collar town whose Ford population was more Falcon, she stood out. I’ve later figured out that she likely had legacy oil money.
I remember liking these as a child. An elderly man with Illinois plates would come up every summer to be near the lake and wreak havoc on the roads by going excessively slow and then speeding up when people attempted to pass him. We never learned who he was, but dad nicknamed him “The Illinois Flash”
Harsh! And wildly inaccurate IMO. I think the younger people with no insurance and nothing to loose, loaded on fentanyl or booze account for many more serious accidents in my area than any groups of seniors. And most of us seniors don’t close off intersections to street race either.
Dave, of course what you describe is true, but mile per mile driven, seniors have much worse accident statistics. Look it up. Per mile driven, the seniors look pretty bad on paper. I am allowed to say this because I myself in no spring chicken. We need to have much more police scrutiny on all drivers, of course. That means no longer sitting behind a billboard eating donuts waiting to increase the public coffers and keep their pay high. They need to get out on the highway, blend in the traffic and see what is going on. Also, we need to get tough on repeat offenders. I have read that in Wisconsin, there are people with over ten DUI convictions, yet somehow are not in prison! Obviously someone from the booze industry is greasing the palms of politicians. Second DUI, you need to spend the next five years behind bars. That would stop the drunken carnage on our roads. Same for distracted drivers, and the obviously no longer qualified elderly. Of course, restricting senior drivers means that as a society we would have to greatly improve public transportation options, but that is long over due anyway.
Jerry, WRONG! Trust me, it’s the I-Phone addicted 20-something/30-something idiots that are the problem. Not me and the rest of us in our Rivieras and Tri-Fives. I’m out there every day, and it’s not us doing the stupid sh!+.
Your reasons given are wrong. It’s not about free money, lack of empathy for others, or personal convenance. It’s about not wanting to be disrespectful. Switching the care and safety rolls with your parents is hard for both parties.
Jerry, I think the data doesn’t support your conclusion. https://aaafoundation.org/rates-motor-vehicle-crashes-injuries-deaths-relation-driver-age-united-states-2014-2015/ While fatalities per crash are high for 80 year olds, the rate of crashes per mile driven for young folks is much higher. This is just a guess on my part, but it’s possible that fatalities per crash are high for 80 year olds is because by the time they’re that age the old bod is a bit more fragile.
I can’t identify with this seller at all unless they really need money. If I had one of my grandparents’ cars they bought new I’d live in it before I’d sell it. But then for me cars are more than something to flip for cash.
I agree, Tim. My ’65 Mustang has been in my family since 1968, when my grandpa bought it for my mom, and I’ve been driving it for 31 years. I can’t imagine letting it go while I’m still around.
I’m the new owner of this car and loving it. It runs as good as it looks and since purchasing I have added new tires and Kelsey Hays style wire wheels.
These mid-sixties T-Birds really are a tremendous value as classic cars are concerned. This ’65 looks to be in very good shape. When a good paint job will cost as much or more than the asking price of this ‘bird, 14.5k seems extremely fair.
Without seeing the pictures, if you had told me this Bird was beige I would be like blehh. But actually seeing it I agree it’s a lovely shade. These were the ones to have.
Without seeing the pictures, if you had told me this Bird was beige I would be like blehh. But actually seeing it I agree it’s a lovely shade. These were the ones to have. I disagree about the crank windows though, I’ll get my workout in the gym.
I am in the minority here. How cool would it be if a group of seniors, shut down an intersection, did donuts, shot video for cred. Then just up split to the closest bingo parlor, or Waffle House to show off their rides. I would pay to see that
I can’t imagine selling a car that belonged to my grandparents, especially one THIS nice! And one that they thought was worth it to restore 12 years ago. These cars are awesome and have great styling. There’s nothing not to like. And 65 and 66 are an improvement over the 64s for the reasons mentioned – disk brakes and sequential turn signals. I believe they could have asked more money than this.
Yes, Captain Mark. And if they did it on mobility scooters! Count me in
Must be sold as craiglist posting is removed. Damn nice car for that price.
I’m the new owner of this beauty. Since purchasing I have added new tires and Kelsey Hays style wire wheels.
I live in a 55 + retirement community and some of the old folks either drive slow or fast, run red lights,don’t know how a 4-way stop works….but with no bus service or cabs, Uber can be expensive. So they drive to the grocery store,doctor appts,the rec center or out for a meal.
Dad had one like this in the driveway in my baby pictures. Wow-friggen nice.
Two of my uncles bought new T-birds of that year. One got red, the other white. Their cool factor was off the chart. Neither were yet married but that was cured shortly thereafter. The T-birds were likely the reason.
BTW 65 does not feel much different than 64
I would have to agree with Mike. I have owned a 65 Thunderbird Landau for roughly 45 years. I originally bought it as a “work car”. I wore it out and decided to junk it. I took it for one “last ride” and realized what a terrific road car it was. So, over then next 10 years, I restored the drive train and then the body. It is a truly great road car. My grandsons will be fighting over it when I am gone!
Kinda sad these cars don’t command more money. Everytime I see a nice one they always seem under priced. My favorite is a 63. PS In Fl now, with the influx of new people from other states, you have Senior citizens driving slow, surrounded by people staring at there phones not able to judge the turn. Or they just zip across 3 lanes to turn. It’s a madhouse to drive 10 blocks
This is NOT a desireable Bird. Buyers and collectors buy these for the luxury — and this has NONE of that. NO p/w, p/s, a/c. Boring and hard pass !!
Just needs the factory fender skirts!
I’m the new owner of this beauty. Since purchasing I’ve added new tires and Kelsey Hays and replaced the skirts.
I had a ’67 Mustang bought new this color. It was a rare color, although I really liked it.
I will turn 75 in a few days. I work 4 hours or so a day and drive in the morning rush hour. I also drive a Corvette and I am consistently passed by suvs and crossovers who routinely run red lights, change lanes abruptly, and are often looking at a phone screen. (And it seems everybody wants to race the Corvette, but that’s another story.) However, I do not obstruct traffic and generally drive a tad faster than the flow.
There is no hard and fast rule as to what demographic has the worst drivers. I’ve followed 20-somethings so preoccupied with their phones that they’r doing 63 in the fast lane on the interstate. I’ve swerved to avoid timid and frightened middle-aged ladies in Camrys. I’ve been blown off by F350 diesels with a chip and driven by some testosterone-fueled redneck. Bad drivers come in all shapes and sizes.
My old age, and my wife, have tempered my tendencies toward aggressive driving. I’m never going to be able to go any faster than the car in front of me and a shiny blue Corvette is a cop magnet if you’re stupid. I lived through the time when my mom and my uncles took the keys from my grandfather in his late 80s. I still wonder how I will feel when it happens to me, but I know for all the good reasons stated above that it will be the right thing to do.
But the real issue here is Thunderbirds. I’ve loved them from 1955 to 1966 and would love to own any model from that era. Right now there’s a ratty ’62 Limited Edition Landau moldering away at a repair shop on Keystone Ave in Indy that’s tugging at my heartstrings. And there’s always room in my fantasy garage for the T-bird from Thelma & Louise. The biggest tragedy of that movie is the loss of the car…
Well said, all of it.
My favorite year T-Bird, not in a position to relieve the present owner of it right now though.
What memories this T Bird brings back!! My parents bought a white ’64 T-Bird in 1965. It was a dealer demo and had about 8k miles. They loved that car and we frequently took Sunday afternoon drives in it with us three kids in the luxurious back seat. I always felt like we were sitting in a plush booth in a nice restaurant!! They kept it until 1970 when they had to upgrade to a station wagon because by then three preteens no longer fit in the back seat. What a downgrade we took from that T Bird to a Chevy Malibu station wagon!!
I am the new owner of this car. It now lives in Seattle and as of a few days ago is proudly riding on new Coker tires and a set of Kelsey Hays style wire wheels.