Vehicle Description
1964 Ford Thunderbird Coupe
By the time the fourth-generation Ford Thunderbird appeared for
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
tail lights 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 with 43K original miles (according to the consigner) and
its factory coat of Silver Metallic Mink paint, with a beautifully
designed interior dripping of mid century modern. Plenty of recent
mechanical repairs to this car has made it a good driver, and
survivor in many ways. Some overall dirt, smudges and a few
scratches and dings, but it's all there, turn the key and enjoy
this classic original car.
Exterior
Silver Metallic Mink drapes the still straight steel panels
throughout. Dual different size 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 smudges 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. A scooped hood, and chrome trimmings for the glass on
the greenhouse, and large "B" pillar with a winged badge and
squared off rear windshield. Bringing up the rear just below the
thin designed rear quarters and trunk lid, is the rear bumper with
dual horizontal rectangles housing taillights with more bird badges
in the centers. Standard T bird wheel covers available for the day
are wrapped in thin white tires all around. Paint is original, has
smudges, chips scratches, and the beginnings of surface rust on the
rockers. Its original factory paint from 1964 though so considering
this it remains nice.
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. A neat side to side moveable steering wheel allows easy
access to the driver's seat, which like the passenger chair, is a
low back stylized bomber bucket with tuck and roll and smooth steel
blue vinyl and stitched in winged badges. Nice chrome trimmings
hold the buckets firmly in place, and we note the driver's seat is
power. 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
ball like gauges in deep round bezels stretching across the bottom
of the speedo. The original white steering wheel, smudged and
discolored with time, fronts the dash, and has the shifter in tree
for the automatic transmission. A curved line stretches from door
to door, and melts into a center console with plenty more of
polished and brushed aluminum. This part houses a radio, heater
controls and the power window and door lock toggles. Also, a large
glovebox is between the buckets. In back a wonderful wrap around
rear seat with folding 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! A perforated vinyl white headliner, a bit yellowed and
smudged hangs tightly above all this mid century modern bling, and
charcoal gray carpet floods the floors.
Drivetrain
Underneath the hood is the numbers matching engine in 390ci form,
and its backed up by the 3-speed Cruise-O-Matic transmission. A
2-barrel carburetor is atop, and this engine specs out showing it
will produce 300hp. All surfaces have patina, or corrosion, and
some light surface rust is also noted, but it is unrestored,
although has several recent swap outs with some new parts for this
drivetrain.
Undercarriage
Peering underneath, there is surface rust seen on some suspension
parts, and intermittently on the floorpans, although these remain
mostly undercoated and solid. Some oiling can be noted around the
transmission and engine, and the power steering appears to have a
leak, as some ended up on the studio floor during its photoshoot.
As noted, some surface rust can be seen under the paint open the
exterior rocker areas and just behind the rear wheel wells. Drum
brakes are all around.
Drive-Ability
A quick starter, although there is an issue with the automatic
transmission Park switch in regard to the ignition lockout. I had
to play with the shifter to get it in just the correct spot to get
the ignition to turn and try to turn over. This will need to be
addressed to avoid starting frustration. This car accelerated with
a smile and handles like it was on a cushion of air, very cushy
ride. The power seat worked, although the power windows and locks
were not cooperative. All other functions were doing just fine.
A survivor if you will, with the showing of the passage of time,
but in a good way. A thorough cleaning will improve this car
tremendously, and you can take the restoration as far as you want
to go...or do nothing and have the original car right out of
1964!
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 600 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.