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One Owner Driver: 1966 Ford Thunderbird

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This T-Bird has been loved by it owner since new, for 50 years and is completely original except for one respray. Even the top is original. It’s on consignment at the California Automobile Museum and the owner is asking the princely sum of $24,950. It is a California rust free car with less than 70,000 miles, well maintained, not perfect, but a nice driver.

dash

The interior looks really nice with just a few flaws if you look closely, like a few stains in the carpet in the back.

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If you looks very closely there are some chips in the paint that have been filled in as well as a few scratches. The repaint was done some time ago, but has held up well. There are some nice close up pictures online.

engine

The engine looks tidy and original. There are no signs of rust underneath. There is a little surface rust under the trunk matt but will be easily corrected.

top mech

The convertible top workings are all in order. It’s a bit slow, but the top hasn’t been lowered in years, so perhaps lubrication and topping the hydraulic fluid are in order. It’s an interesting setup, the way the front of the trunk hinges and the trunk lifts from the rear.

rear

This is no show car but it is a nice, original driver. It has been well taken care of over the last 50 years. What do you think someone would be willing to pay for this Thunderbird? To folks who appreciate original cars, love convertibles and T-birds, they might be willing to pay more than you think. How far do you think he will have to drop his price to sell it?

Comments

  1. Avatar Mike H

    I love these old birds, but I think that the price is a little high for what it is.

    That’s just my personal opinion. I’ve been looking at Thunderbirds of both the 1961-1963 vintage and the 1964-1966 vintage, and is is one of the most expensive ones I’ve seen in some time, and while it’s a nice example, it isn’t THAT nice.

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  2. Avatar Van

    I’ve always loved the interior on these.
    Mustangs with pony seats, and all the cars that had lots of details to flow the doors, dash and console together.
    I want a 70 GTO with a Grand Prix console, dash and door panels.
    I find most custom interiors dull because the monochromatic style looks dull.
    How about the gauge cluster on a 57 chevy, or a speaker in the back seat.

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  3. Avatar Roseland Pete

    I usually have a gut feeling as to whether or not a car is overpriced but not on this one. It is a T-bird and it is a convertible that seems to be in relatively nice shape but it doesn’t have the original paint which I think hurts the value somewhat.

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  4. Avatar grant

    But it’s gorgeous. Maybe priced a bit high, but damn it’s pretty. I love the way the back seats wrap around on the sides.

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  5. Avatar ClassicCarFan

    I’m always a bit conflicted about Thunderbirds. I love the 61 – 63 generation “bullet birds” but really don’t care much form most other generations, certainly not in fixed head form… but I do think this 1966 version looks pretty good as a convertible.

    FWIW I think this particular car is over-priced. It looks a good solid driver to me but a little bit scruffy overall, needs a good clean up under the hood and shows tattered trim and some surface rust in places. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, it look’s in decent usable shape and not every car has to be a concours-level show car, but it looks like a “driver” level car priced as something a little better? But hey, what do I know. Final sale prices often surprise me !

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    • Avatar Keith

      I’m with you on the 61-63 versions as I think they are the classiest of the T-Birds in the 60’s, but the 64-66 are quite affordable (in non-convertible form), and the 67-68’s (while some don’t like the styling, I do) are the cheapest of the era. I do really dig the 64-66 Towne Coupe versions, though.

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  6. Avatar James

    There is a convertible dark green identical car near me with one owner 70k original miles and all original paint with an asking price of $16k. It hasn’t sold either.

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  7. Avatar Mike

    I think the price for this T- Bird is soaring up there way to high in the clouds. The fact that it has set for some years in a museum would have me very worried about dried out seals in most of the car. The top not working very fast could be caused by a leak pump from setting. At this price they are wanting, I think it will be back on the floor long before it sells. But that’s just my opinion!!

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  8. Avatar charlie Member

    The price may be relatively high, but would be fun to own. You could drive it a lot, and enjoy it, and not worry about another paint chip when someone opened a door into it in a parking lot. Mechanical parts are easy to source. There are all kinds of reasons to own an old car, and all kinds of cars to be owned. I like to drive them a lot, in part on Interstates at 75 mph and maintain them, and be relatively confident that they will get me there and back without calling AAA. And although I would like to buy low and sell high, this is not a buy low, but it is a driver.

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  9. Avatar Peter R

    The price is definitely high, it is not a barn find – why is it featured???

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  10. Avatar George Morrison

    When I was growing up in Southern California my best friends mother had one identical even the same color and convertible like this one…. one sweet ride. I think the last time I saw her she told me she had totaled it out or maybe sold it. Her husband had a 631/2 galaxie 500 with the 427 engine I know he totaled it out…. wish I had both of them, just not totaled out

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