My Uncle’s Dream: 1966 Ford Thunderbird

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My uncle is no longer with us, but he left me (among other things) with a love of classic Ford Thunderbirds. To be honest, I don’t remember how many he had, but it was at least five of them. His favorite by all accounts was a 1966 Town Landau in blue and white just like this one. For all I know, this is his old car! It’s for sale in Waukon, Iowa and is listed here on eBay. There’s a buy it now of $8,500 but you can make lower offers as well.

What an elegant profile! I’m not sure if this is the original color or not, but it looks terrific. If it is an original color, it’s either Mariner Turquoise or Nightmist Blue, and I’m leaning towards the latter. The T-Bird is showing just over 100,000 miles at the moment.

I’ve looked at this closeup of the right front fender for a long time, and I think it’s bent to some extent. Look at how close the clearance is between the front of the wheel opening and the tire. What do you think? I do know that those are the original wheel cover type, which is nice to see.

Different folks like different interiors, but I’ll tell you, this is one of my very favorite ones. The two colors work extremely well to me. We are warned that there are some electrical issues in the interior, with the power seats, air conditioning and electric clock not working.

The 390 engine looks pretty good and I’m happy to see the air conditioning compressor in place with a belt. Faults at this point include a pair of leaking valve cover gaskets and a leak from the transmission. I wish my uncle were still around to bid on it; I know he’d like this one! Do you?

 

 

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Comments

  1. Moparman MoparmanMember

    This is beautiful! The ’66 is my favorite! I never really cared for the Landau top, but everything thing else lights my fire! Ideally, I’d want a convertible w/ the tonneau! GLWTS!! :-) 🙂

    Like 0
  2. 86 Vette Convertible

    I like, reminds me of the one Dean Martin drove in the Matt Helm movies (Obviously a different color).
    I also like T-Birds, having a 94 myself. They are sweet driving cars at a minimum.

    PS I don’t know how practical it was, but that tilt-away steering wheel was something I always thought was ‘cool’.

    Like 0
    • boxdin

      The 1992 5.0 HO Thunderbird was one of the most fun cars I ever had. It had the sport suspension which was much better than the standard wallow suspension.

      Like 0
  3. Sam

    Very sharp car! The Town Landau profile grows on you after awhile…depends on color combination for me. A stylist may have been trying to evoke the look of the original tri-bird removal hard top OR a Ford bean counter thought that a little extra metal and vinyl was cheaper than two extra windows and servos and switches. None the less…great find hope it finds a good home.

    Like 0
  4. Fred W.

    They really float down the highway and the 390 is no slouch. Mine will be for sale in a couple of months for under 6K.

    Like 0
  5. Luki

    Thunderchicken.
    Finally ruined the nameplate when they turned it into a 4 door.

    Like 0
    • tonylomb tonylombMember

      Luki, I am going to push back a bit. I know I almost stand alone on this in a sea of Thunderbird lovers. I like the lines of my ’67. She should be ready by next spring. We’ll see what the group thinks when I post the final product.

      Like 2
  6. jw454

    I’d have to cover up the red paint on the wheels but, otherwise, I’d keep it pretty much as it’s seen here.

    Like 0
  7. scottymac

    Something I’ve always wondered about these, maybe someone with an interchange manual can tell me. The ’66 drops off too much at the back, but does a ’67 and ’68 Mustang fastback use the same side window as this style ‘Bird? Likewise, does the ’67-’68 fastback use the same trunk lid as a ’68-’69 Torino fastback?

    Like 0
    • CATHOUSE

      If you are asking about the door glass the answer is no they are not the same. And the trunk lids are not the same between a Mustang and a Torino.

      Like 0
  8. Rustytech RustytechMember

    Jamie. I think your correct about the front fender, it also looks like the bumper is turned up on that corner. Hopefully it could be pulled back into shape without damaging the paint. I like this color combination too. My favorite has always been the 61 to 63’s but these were very good cars too.

    Like 0
  9. DJS

    Great looker I would think at asking price the owner would make needed repairs, trans, and ac can add a few grand to the cost but it is still a looker.

    Like 0
  10. Ralph Robichaud

    How do you drive this thing safely , in todays traffic, without a right hand mirror?

    Like 0
    • Old Car Guy

      Ask your mommy, I drove cars up until a few years ago without right hand mirrors. I guess it is true the wussification of American male drivers.

      Like 1
      • Ralph Robichaud

        For all you know, I may be as old or older than you. (mid 70s).
        I too have driven cars without rh mirrors, heck with no mirrors at all, but I hold that you can drive more safely with twin mirrors,especially when your earlobes are as big as on this TBird. Nothing wussy about being able to see all that’s around you.

        Like 0
  11. moosie Craig

    I love these T-Birds, especially the interiors, I’m thinking the angle of the dangle is relative to the heat of the meat and no problem exists with the R/S front fender-wheel . Seriously tho,,,,,,,,,, my Uncle Johnny loved this era T-Bird and I can see why. POO-POO’d me when I showed up in a Lipstick Red ’77.

    Like 0
  12. dave

    Mine while in the Navy 1973 behind my Cameo pickup.

    Like 0
  13. Mitch RossMember

    I don’t know why these never took off price wise, i think they are the mos attractive t-Birds.

    Like 0

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