In the beginning, Ford’s Thunderbird established the “personal luxury” niche. The original design was inspired by the popularity of two-seat European sports cars but amended to accommodate Americans’ desire for comfort. As the years rolled by, the T-Bird gained heft: first by adding two seats, and then by stuffing the cabin with power options. From the “bullet” ‘Bird’s aero-influenced lines, the car was redesigned in 1964, acquiring a formal look for its fourth generation. The sales pitch was all about luxury now, and synching with that tone was the new “Town Landau” offering a padded vinyl top (in four colors!) complete with landau iron trim, simulated woodgrain interior accents, and a wide variety of upholstery and paint finishes. Comfort options including Highway Pilot cruise control, SelectAire Conditioner, and Ford’s new 428 cu. in. V8 allowed for boundless opportunities to personalize your Thunderbird. Here on craigslist is a thoroughly optioned 1966 Ford Thunderbird Town Landau coupe in fine condition. The seller is asking $25,000 and his car is located in Newport Beach, California. We’re grateful to numskal for spotting this swanky ‘Bird for us!
The new 428 cu. in. V8 was good for 345 hp, but it was pushing around a car weighing well over 4,000 lbs. Paired with the three-speed Cruise-O-Matic transmission, the T-Bird could manage about 120 mph; fortunately, torque was prodigious, so around-town driving was snappy. Plenty of work is hiding in this engine bay: the engine was rebuilt about 4500 miles ago; the transmission, brakes, cooling system, and charging system have all been rebuilt or replaced. The radiator, fans, heater core, battery, vacuum system, and springs are also new.
Inside, the vinyl is original but in outstanding condition. The headliner, weatherstripping, seat foam, and trunk liner are all new. The car was repainted; the chrome is original but “shows well”. Ford gave the Thunderbird bucket seats and a center console for a sporty feel. A hallmark of the Town Landau was its dark simulated woodgrain interior trim – meant to look more luxurious compared to its lesser cars. All Town car buyers enjoyed “flight control” thanks to an Overhead Safety Panel, with warning lights for fuel, unfastened seatbelts, and open doors, as well as hazard flashers.
If I wanted a fourth-gen T-Bird, this example would be at the top of my list. The color, the cosmetic condition, the rebuilt mechanicals … The car even comes with work receipts and its original window sticker. The price is spot-on according to comparable asking prices including this Ivy Yellow Q-code in Alberta, Canada, or this one listed on Hemmings. Would you let this Thunderbird nest in your garage?
Back in the early 70’s, a fellow at a local club had a ’66, pale yellow with a white convertible top. Not sure of engine size but boy that car had me at GO.
Another member had an R Type Continental fastback. While beautiful, the T Bird won my vote.
Craigslist ad now gone.
Whenever I see a T-Bird of this generation, I’m always drawn to the highly-styled, luxurious interior, with features such as the overhead console, the chrome-edged seats, and the elaborate door panels and upholstery. This is a great-looking example. Though I might be more drawn to one which has other than a black interior (influenced by the fact that black is such a prominent interior color for new cars).
This one has cruise control. Would this have been before this option became common and mainstream? And, it is operated by switches on the ends of the steering wheel spokes, which if I recall didn’t become the industry standard until later (didn’t GM have theirs on the turn signal stalk?).
Nice job Michelle.
I own a ‘65 Landau Thunderbird, red with a white vinyl top. A number of people come up to me after I’ve parked and talk with me. Some had relatives who owned one or their folks had a T-Bird of one year or another.
This one here is rather stunning and at a reasonable price. Hope it goes to a good home.
I owned a 65 Bird many years back.
A Town Landau in Rangoon red with a red interior and white top.
It was such a great car! I loved the swing away wheel. But after doing a repaint and making it mechanical reliable, I foolishly sold it…for $1800!! It had only 98,000 miles.
I had a ’66 Town Landau just like this one with a vinyl top delete. My dad worked at a Dodge dealership at the time and got it in trade. I was the only kid in high school driving a T-bird! I really loved this car. I sold it at a profit about 6 months later and rolled the proceeds into the next car bought from dear old dad.
Beautiful T-Bird. Probably my favorite of all. My uncle had one, when he worked for Ford, in the dark red color. I was a thirteen year old punk and was just amazed by that car. To me it was just the ultimate in style, sportiness and luxury.
Love this gen Birds, droptops are particularly beautiful.
I’ve had a bunch of these Birds over the years, they always draw attention and driving one is a real treat! Good luck to the seller and new owner.
I missed on a factory 427 thunderbird for 3500 years ago. I also like the 69 429 cars
Thunderbird never had a 427
What a sweetheart!
Good for the buyer…thanks to that 428, the Town Landau bodystyle and the gorgeous presentation, I see this car as actually worth more than the asking price. Wouldn’t be surprised to see the buyer asking $30k in a few months. Only demerit is that this isn’t a convertible, lol.
I remember a friend of mine had a bran new T-Bird in high school. His dad owned a new car lot. Of course I was jealous. Some years later I bought one. I have always loved T-Birds at least until the later models when cars lost their styling.
My favorites……drool drool drool
Had a driver one in my younger years….got smart real quick and sold it.
I sold an identical car at Barrett Jackson Las Vegas, no reserve auction. Beautiful car . 428 etc. Sold for 3K, no reserve Had 10K in it .
Never again.