This 1964 Thunderbird has been under the care of its elderly owner for many years. He drives the car sparingly, and it appears that he treats it with care and respect. All good things must come to an end, so he has asked a friend to handle the sale of his beloved classic. It is located in Urbana, Ohio, and has been listed for sale here on eBay. The BIN has been set at a very affordable $9,500, although the option is available to make an offer. Barn Finder Larry D has had his radar working overtime, and I have to say thank you for referring this beautiful classic to us.

The Thunderbird is finished in an eye-catching combination of Pagoda Green and Wimbledon White. It looks stunning, with the paint shining beautifully across the entire car. There are no visible scars, scratches, or significant chips, while the panels appear to be laser straight. The gaps are tight and consistent, and there are no signs of any rust problems. The chrome is in excellent condition for a vehicle of this age, while the same appears to be true of the glass. The hubcaps have managed to survive with no physical damage, and the whitewall tires add the perfect finishing touch to this classic.

When you examine a classic like this, the engine bay can often be the best indication of the sort of life that the vehicle has led. If that is true with this Thunderbird, then it seems that there is nothing but positive news awaiting potential buyers. The Z-Code 390ci V8 is absolutely spotless, with no signs of leaks or other problems. The rest of the under-hood area looks equally impressive, with a level of cleanliness that suggests that you could eat off any surface. Bolted to the back of the 390 is a 3-speed automatic transmission, while the vehicle also features power steering and power brakes. With 300hp on tap, performance figures are quite respectable. The trip down the ¼ mile would take 16.8 seconds, and while it is not up in muscle car territory, it still seems good for what Ford was marketing as a Personal Luxury Car. The Thunderbird has had a recent service, along with new brakes, plugs, and plug wires. The owner has driven the car just enough to blow out the cobwebs but hasn’t clocked up enough miles to wear it out. The seller has slipped behind the wheel recently, and he says that it will cruise at 75mph on the open road all day. He says that it drives as it should, with no evidence of any nasty problems or vices.

If the Thunderbird is to be considered as an original survivor, then the interior needs very little. The cover on the driver’s seat is stretched, and it looks like the foam may be starting to collapse. I believe that replacing the foam on both bucket seats would be a wise move, and it would probably improve the appearance of the driver’s seat. This would cost approximately $360, but I believe that it would be money well-spent. The rest of the upholstered surfaces, the dash, and the console all look to be in good order. The carpet has a few marks, but these aren’t bad enough to justify replacement. The interior is unmolested, and almost everything works as it should. The exception here is the original AM radio, which works when it feels like it. The interior isn’t fully-loaded, but the swing-away wheel has to count as a practical feature in a car like this.

For an older person, the decision to part with their car can be a difficult one. It can be a moment of sadness for most of us, but for older motorists, it represents the loss of a certain level of independence. For this elderly owner, I suspect that the sale price is probably irrelevant. If this gentleman has owned the Thunderbird for as long as the seller indicates, all he will care about is that his pride and joy will go to a new owner who will treat it with the same level of care and dignity that he has. I don’t think that’s too much to ask, and I hope that it is the reality in this case. Both the owner and the Thunderbird deserve nothing less.