Styling for the Ford Thunderbird would change dramatically in 1964 when the “Squarebirds” emerged from the designed studios. And they were well-received by the buying public with a record sales year in ’64. For ’65, the cars were little changed as the big news that year at Ford was the unveiling of the popular new Mustang. This example has been under wraps in a covered barn since 2005 and will need some cosmetic and mechanical work, although rebuilds were done in the years prior. Now out of storage, this ’65 T-Bird is in El Dorado Hills, California, and is available here on craigslist for $3,500 OBO.
Ford produced more than 92,000 Thunderbirds in 1964. Given that result and more of the same hot product for 1965, you’d think the upward trend would continue, right? Quite the opposite happened as sales dropped by 20 percent. Was the success of the Mustang that same year a contributing factor? Some think so, but the cars appealed to different buyers and the price ranges were far apart. As the Mustang was hitting a new high in 1966, the T-Bird lost another eight percent in the showrooms as most of the advertising budget dollars had gone to the new kid on the block. So, draw your own conclusions.
As the story goes, this Thunderbird had an engine (390 cubic inch V8?) rebuilt in 1997 (12,000 miles ago). And the automatic transmission got the same treatment in 2004 which was 1,000 miles ago. But then the car went into hibernation a year later and it may have stayed there until recently. Its time off the road brought some rust to bear, including in the passenger side floorboard, door, and back window, among other places. To help correct some of these issues, the buyer is throwing in some doors, a trunk lid, and a gas tank, along with some seats without the electric hardware.
Will this be an easy project to get going again? 18 years of captivity suggests it will not. The passage of time and neglect have a way of creating damage and there may be some that we can’t see or don’t know about. But the seller is motivated and perhaps a better deal than the asking price can be struck. Who’s got a thing for these mid-1960s T-Birds?
I think it’s a steal at 3500 obo.Probably wants 2500 to 3k.I’d get it running and driving , clean it up patch the floor and flip it.Still has CA black plates which is cool.Like to see underneath more and more body pics.Wish it was closer.Wonder if this has a swing away column or if you could get them with a column shift or even that year.I’m sure somebody here knows.It will sell fast I’m sure.
Yes Maggy I think this is cheap too. I am always surprised that they don’t command more $ than this because I love the styling. For me it’s “one that got away”. Decades ago I was offered a similar example for free, but I didn’t have the time or space, so I reluctantly turned it down.
Any one buying one of these better check on parts availability. Because tgey were less popular than the earlier T-biids, there is not the aftermarket supply as the 50s Birds. I bought one for my wife and had to find 2 power steering gear boxes while we owned it. And you may have to find someone to rebuild or completely build a turn signal sequencer if tgat goes out. Very hard to find. But it was a fun car. Check the trunk for rust as the truck seals tend to leak.
I have a ’66. Had to replace the trunk seal because it leaked. Also had to fix a problem with the power window for the driver side vent window, no part was needed. Fuel gauge doesn’t work but that seems to be a problem with all my old Fords. Q code car with the 428 engine; paid $3500 for it 10 years ago.
I am often confused, but I always thought that the “Square Birds” were 1958 – 1960.
Maybe these had a name, but it is my favorite generation of T-Bird!
I believe you’re right, 58-60 were “Square Birds”. 64-66 had a nickname, but I can’t remember it. Aside from the 55-57, my favorite is the 61-63 “Bullitt Bird”
Unless there’s serious problems with this one, $3500 is the bargain of the week.
I had a ’66 and couldn’t remember the nickname for it, so I looked it up. Google says they are called “flair” birds. Never heard of that name before in the 30 years I owned mine. I swear it was called something else.
The original 2-seaters are known as “Early Birds” or “Baby Birds”, the ’58-’60 4-seaters were the “Square Birds” as you mention, the slick ’61-’63s were the “Bullet Birds” and the ’64-’66s, as this car for instance, were the “Jet Birds” or “Flair Birds”, depending on who you ask.
Yup – It’s Flair Birds.
They were. The ’64 to ’66 were not “Squarebirds.” At least no one I’ve ever known called them that.
El Dorado Hills is east of Sacramento, Ca. Highway 50 is the most traveled route . I drive this way every weekend to visit our favorite casino. We will be going there either Friday or Saturday foir the buffeet with all the lobster and crab legs I want and can eat. Last Saturday it was three fair size lobsters
I am going to pick up a 64 in Montana on May 1st. Can’t wait to get it.
Cool, Brett. Join the site and show us some pics!!
We called them catfish birds.
My first car was a 65 convertible. I learned how to fix the sequential turn signal box and reset the half dozen limit switches on the convertible top when they got out of sync. Also check the rockers between the doors and the rear fenders for rust. This would have been the 300 hp 390.
The ’65 ‘Bird was powered by a 300 HP 390 c.i. engine. They were all equipped with the “swing away” steering wheel. The shifter was on the column. I wonder what became of the T-Bird hood ornament ??
They didn’t have a hood ornament, they had a hood “emblem”, and yes, it appears to be missing, can’t even see the holes for it.
The emblem was a stylized thunderbird that acted as a defining hood ornamentation. “Tomato/”tomato”
You choose!
I have a 66 convertible and there are several companies that carry EVERYTHING for T-birds. One I deal with is The Bird Nest.
Just go on line. There are plenty of suppliers. Only thing you can’t get are real door cards. The ones they offer are plastic garbage that only come in black.
Definitely not worth the ridiculous price. You’re better off with a good upholstery shop.
Also didn’t these come standard with a passenger side mirror? Do not see it.
Pretty sure passenger side mirror was an option. I was a kid back then and every TBird and LINCOLN DROVE BY MY HOUSE ON A 12 MILE TEST RUN
With no holes for the hood emblem , evidently the hood was replaced at some time.
Whenever I see this generation of T-Birds, I’m always impressed by the highly styled and appointed interior. Ford sure did not skimp on the development money dedicated there.
These are my favorite 64-66, 66 being my top choice mainly because I like the taillights that span the complete rear but that wouldn’t stop me from picking up a deal like this. If only it was in NY.
5th gen, only 1 for me (& ford guy here) as to suicide dor’n chassy/body, no more monocoque. Also probably due to my age (’67/71 I was a teen). I liked the 8th & 9th as to motor/turbo and the fox WB/size. But the 5th catches my eye… 2 dor, 4, vert or hrd top~
Brought several cars/trucks back from this point (& price). It’s a sweet zone to me (just needs more ‘excitement’ for me to keep interest thru the process than this model) and minimum body wrk. PLEZ, 2hat one would do to this (time, $) U ! really ! should choose a different adverb than ‘flip’. Entirely unfair. That ’60s TV fishy TV star:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azEOeTX1LqM
should B reserved for the unscroupolous who deny the lill ol lady of her cream puff’s real value & simply put on/off a trailer. I dont own one and am vice grips garage Jr – usually drivin them back.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azEOeTX1LqM
(skip to 21 – 57 min)
Not a “Square Bird,” a “Flair Bird.” Square Birds were ’58-60. Helps to do some research before writing to get your T-bird nicknames right.
ny one with a 1968 yo 1974 Thunderbird might check the bottom of the glove box for a black plastic box attached. This will be the cpu for the anti-locking braking. 90% of owners did not know they had it. It saved me on thr Ohio Turnpike when a woman pulled out on me with only about 200 yards ahead. This anti-locking saved us from sliding into Indiana