Vehicle Description
1964 Ford Thunderbird Convertible
By the time the fourth-generation Ford Thunderbird appeared in
1964, the Thunderbird design studio had a firm grasp of what their
customers liked and didn't like. Since the "banana-nose" design of
the Bullet Birds hadn't gone over well, Bill Boyer and his team
revisited some earlier styling themes for its 1964 successor. The
Bullet Bird's unloved recessed headlights, tail fins, and dog-dish
taillights all got the ax.
In house for consignment, is this 4th generation T bird from Ford
known as the "flair bird". It's all grown up and has found its
niche and from past sales Ford knew now what customers wanted. This
car was treated to a very much welcome color change overa mostly
rust free body with a beautifully designed interior dripping of mid
century modern. A 300hp 390ci V8, a good runner, and survivor in
many ways. Some overall dirt, smudges and a few scratches and
dings, but it's all there, comeswith a multitude of manuals and
repair receipts, so just turn the key and enjoy this classic drop
top car.
Exterior
A color change to Phoenician Yellow, from the original Sunlit
Yellow, drapes the steel panels throughout. Dual headlights reside
within their own coves framed by the hood and lower bumper. It
takes on an almost mad look with the lines of the hood like
scowling eyebrows. The grille and bumper setup has a few areas of
surface rust and staining on it, but remains shiny. In lieu of any
side trimmings this car has machined "skeg" lines extending through
the doors into the rear fenders. These are like mini awnings for
the door handles and fender skirts on the rear quarters. Panels are
straight and have nicely managed gaps throughout but do show some
areas of prior body repair and the starting of rust bubbles on the
lower doors as well as some chipping on the rockers. A scooped
hood, and chrome trimmings for the glass on the greenhouse are
highlighted up top by a tear free black canvas convertible top with
a slightly clouded rear window. Watching the top disappear into the
trunk is akin to enjoying a ballet, with each step timed perfectly.
This is definitely a left over styling design taking from the
retractable Ford's of the late 50's. Bringing up the rear just
below the thin designed rear quarters and trunk lid, is the rear
bumper with dual horizontal rectangles housing tail lights with
more bird badges in the centers of the taillights. Standard T bird
wheel covers available for the day with faux knockoff hubs are
wrapped in thin white wall tires all around.
Interior
Inside affords a look into the future, (from 1964 eyes), with sleek
lines and well thought usage of ribbed vinyl, solid smooth panels,
and a mix of plenty of shiny polished aluminum panels for the
doors. This car has the unique swing-away moveable steering wheel.
The dual bomber styled buckets for the front seats are covered in
black vinyl and have chrome trimmings, which like the passenger
chair, is a low back stylized bomber bucket with tuck and roll and
smooth black vinyl centers running through them and stitched in
winged badges. Nice chrome trimmings hold the buckets firmly in
place. Turning to the dash, all the modern stops were pulled out
for this instrument cluster which includes a rolling line
speedometer indicator, (pointers are so pedestrian!), and 4 round
eyeball gauges in deep round bezels stretching across the bottom of
the speedo. The original steering wheel, looking all good, fronts
the dash, and has the shifter on the tree for the automatic
transmission. A curved line stretches from door to door, and melts
into a center console with plenty more polished and brushed
aluminum throughout. This part houses a modern AM/FM/Cassette
radio, AC and heater controls, and the power window toggles. Also,
a large glove box is between the buckets within a futuristic styled
center console. In back a wonderful wrap-around rear seat in black
tuck and roll vinyl and nearly perfect condition has a folding
center armrest and side molded into the curve armrests are seen.
The design just does not get any more modern looking. In front of
the glovebox is a snappy sliding panel which reveals the cigarette
station, lighter and ashtray. Smoke 'em if ya got 'em! Above
hanging below the padded black vinyl dash is a center chromed bezel
housing the futuristic temp toggles and a central clock. Black
carpet with a light degree of soiling floods the floors.
Drivetrain
Underneath the hood is the original engine in 390ci form and it's
backed up by the 3-speed Cruise-O-Matic automatic transmission. A
4-barrel carburetor is atop, and this engine specs out showing it
will produce 300hp. All surfaces have slight patina, and gold paint
now covers the valve coverings and air cleaner housing. Handling
all those ponies is a Ford 9" rear axle fitted with 3.00
conventional gearing. A new fuel pump has been installed for
reliable starting and motoring.
Undercarriage
Peering underneath, there is surface rust seen on some suspension
parts, however the flooring, rockers and unibody remain solid under
the black paint. Some light oiling can be noted around the
transmission and engine. Power drum brakes are all around, and
independent coil spring suspension is on front, and leaf springs
for the rear. Handling the big exhale from the 390 cubes is a stock
style dual exhaust system.
Drive-Ability
A fast starter thanks to the new fuel pump, this car accelerated
and put a smile on my face and handled like it was on a cushion of
air, very smooth big car ride. The power top worked, although the
top retraction portion of the ballet did need some assistance to
start its movement and as many of these cars exhibit, the shifter
needs to be held "just right" to get the starter to engage.
A survivor if you will, with the showing of the passage of time,
but all in a good way. Nice clean surfaces throughout, and black
vinyl for the interior is in beautiful condition. Overall, this car
is very good, and is a smooth driver and cruiser. A clean look and
nice straight lines give it the look of luxury and the exterior
design plays off the sporty end.
4Y85Z190238
4-1964
Y-Wixom, MI Assy Plant
85-Thunderbird Convertible
Z-390ci V8 4bbl
190238-Sequential Unit Number
WARRANTY TAG
BODY 76A-Thunderbird Convertible
PAINT V-Sunlit Yellow
TRIM 56-Black Vinyl
DATE 23G-July 23rd
DSO 26-Washington DC
AXLE 1-Ford 9" 3.00
TRANS 4-Cruise O Matic
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display. This vehicle is located in our
showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just
1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The
website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888)
227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come
see the vehicle in person.
