Just a quick glance at any photo of this 1964 Ford Thunderbird would be enough to convince most enthusiasts that there’s something special going on here. However, once you look closer and take it all in, I’m thinking this may truly be one of the nicest fourth-generation T-Birds we’ve run across in a long time. Its rare color combined with the strong condition makes this a very desirable car, so if you’ve been in the market for a mid-sixties personal luxury coupe, this one’s probably worth a close look. It’s located in Waukee, Iowa, and can be spotted here on Facebook Marketplace, where the seller has set his asking price at $17,600. Great find, T.J., and thanks a lot for the tip here!
The seller is the third owner, with his father purchasing this auto from its original buyer, so it hasn’t been passed around much over the past 62 years. One of the first things most eyes will notice is the odd color, a hue Ford produced for only two years called Phoenician Yellow, and it’s known for being rare to come across. This one is described as a complete survivor, so if that’s correct, the exterior remains just as it was when it left the assembly line many decades ago. I’m loving those hubcaps, whitewall tires, and everything else about the outside of this Thunderbird.
Unfortunately, the seller doesn’t provide many interior shots, but the front buckets and passenger-side door panel appear to be nicely preserved.
The one other picture from inside is an important one, and that’s of the odometer. It seems like the owner may have made a mistake in reporting that this one only has 40,365 miles, as the last digit is a tenths reading. The first 5 black numerals represent whole miles, while the last white figure registers only 1/10th, so the actual mileage here is more than likely 104,036 and 5/10.
No shots are provided from under the hood, but the owner confirms that the original 390 V8 is still there, which he also states has been upgraded with a larger camshaft. Even if the mileage is slightly beyond the 100k mark, this is still one gorgeous and highly original example, and I’m guessing somebody will be eager to snatch this one pretty quickly and become owner #4. Any thoughts to share on this unusual Phoenician Yellow 1964 Ford Thunderbird?
From what we can see, it looks like a clean, straightforward T-Bird. I like this generation, especially the interiors. Pulling the car out of the garage to take the pics would have improved the presentation. My folks’ 1964 Fairlane 500 was this color.
Thanks Mike.
Great looking T-Bird. Is it just me though or does the back end look a little low?
The stance looks about right to me. Rear springs may possibly be in the early stages of weakening but as my memory serves (or what’s left of it), the “lowered” rear appearance was more due to the body lines. Putting the fender skirts back on will enhance the low look. My mother’s 1964 T-Bird dealer demonstrator was, what I would call, a medium dark blue with coordinating interior and also with no vinyl top (my preference). Of all of the T-Bird demonstrators that Mother had while my folks had the local Ford dealership in the Mississippi town where I grew up, she always said that her 1964 model was her favorite. She liked them all though (except for her 1980 – digital dash and an electronic nightmare!). Beautiful ride here. Should make someone very happy.
So lucky to have a family owned dealerhip where there’s money to be made big time. One lady dealer owned even had her own private island. And the triple bypass and a bicycle on her showroom floor which she never rode.
Okay, off the wall comment. WHY, WHY, WHY do people not paint their garage after the drywalling? WHY? A simple coat of paint would help. I mean ya take all this effort to make the car look good, and dont even care about the frame you are placing it in. Okay Rant over, cool car. The end
Looks like new construction to me ’cause there ain’ no collection of junk yet. Perhaps he’s selling this to be able to afford paint?
Up here in Ohio? We buy our own paint and get down to work! Though my garage builder offered…Beautiful ‘Bird, by the way.
Some new home builders charge extra to paint the garage.
When we lived in NH, our custom built home didn’t come with drywall in the garage, just pink insulation held in place with plastic sheeting.
2 year old home down here in GA in a 150 home development = unpainted drywall, and no option from the builder to have it painted.
Builders don’t care about the garage, just the living space.
It’s not just one quick pass and you’re done – you have to prime, then texture, and then paint. And you got your trim. If you’re a DIYer,
there’s always other stuff you’d rather be doing.
Great looking car from the initial appearance. I like skirts but this looks good with the open wheel well. Nice color combination.
I think that is a fair price ask -Jack
The second ugliest color available on a 64 Bird. The ugliest was on my grandfather’s brand new 64 Somoan Coral Landau with white vinyl roof and interior. He would forcefully argue he wasn’t driving a pink car🤣
Ya either love or hate Samoan Coral – I’m in the first category. Had a ride in one on the used car lot back in ’65 and never saw another. And IMO skirts look best on Landaus, not so much on the others.
Just like the one I bought for $850 in Philly area as my high school car 1976, 83k miles on the Odo.
Phoenician Yellow, no Skirts from the factory, nor deluxe spinner-style Wheelcovers as this one isn’t.
Drove her for decades until the orig 390 became too tired at 149k but still ran quite nicely! Best interior design ever..
Nobody cams a Bird 390. The seats are filthy and this is a PASS !
The mileage, as stated in the write-up is correct at 104,036. Facebook ad agrees. This is a nice driver & I’ll keep scratching my head as to why sellers don’t fix the a/c before posting!
I’ll take them all from the year when they were first introduced in 1955 to 1979 the last year they built. And what a great addition to my antique, classic and vintage automobiles collection it would be.
I’ll take them all from the year when they were first introduced in 1955 to 1979 the last year they built. And what a great addition to my antique, classic and vintage automobiles collection it would make. I’ll take even the convertible one thing for sure though always keep everything original because if you get aftermarket parts sometimes the specifications are not accurate and way off.
That “rare” Phoenician Yellow paint looks remarkably similar to the Morning Gold paint that came on my Dad’s 1969 Thunderbird 4-door Landau Brougham.
I’ll take this w/the 427 or the nxt gen w/the suicide rear door.
Me Lady would like 2 sit back there’n have me hop out to open
da dor’n bow on her exit !
Nice find! Makes me think of CIA guys in Goldfinger…driving a T-Bird with the mysterious on/off fender skirt…watch closely…must have had a flat tire while filming …continuity/editing missed it. Yes, I have no life