1964 Ford Thunderbird Convertible
"There is a completely new Thunderbird for 1964. New styling set the Thunderbird mood. Inside it is maintained by advances that make even Thunderbird veterans sigh. An exclusive, new Silent-Flo ventilation system pulls floods of fresh air through the entire car, even with the windows closed. New contoured "shell" front seats cradle you in luxurious Thunderbird comfort. Instruments are positioned and lights for flight deck clarity." From a 1964 Thunderbird print ad.
For consignment, a 1964 Ford Thunderbird convertible showing 11,367 miles but the true miles are unknown. Owned by our consignor for nearly 11 years, he states the paint and top were redone 13 years ago. It's been shown quite a bit, garnering a few first places in 2021 and a Best of Show award at the Boyertown Museum of Historic Vehicles 50th anniversary car show in 2015.
Exterior
The car's original color, Rangoon Red, was resprayed with two stage precision and changes the personality of this "Flair Bird" veering from all of the period's advertisements that showed the birds in more subdued tones. It's bright and is augmented by the wrap- around chrome bumper that dips in front of the dual headlights which are slightly set back in the same way your eyes are set back. The long, straight shoulder line flows back, taking in the edge of the decklid which itself contours over the defined dip of the tail treatment, fantastic chrome framed tail lights with the Thunderbird symbol and a chrome center that unifies the lights as single, widespan ornament. The rear valance holds the reverse lights and chrome exhaust tips turn to the ground after clearing the valance. The white canvas top is in good shape and houses a clear, plastic rear window. Imperfections include some air bubbles in filler, bubbling, cracking paint over uneven filler, red tape covering a flaw, and a deep chip that's been painted over.
Interior
The 60's are in full swing and that's evident when you swing open the doors! An angular polished trim piece adorns a white vinyl door with a ribbed upper insert over smooth material and courtesy lights below, artful in its design and clean in its presentation. White buckets are propped up front with robust metal trim and a tall base, the driver's side showing some wear on the piping but in otherwise great shape. The rear seats curve like Vegas showroom booths in the 60's with armrests that adhere to the curvature. Up front, an aftermarket cover cloaks the steering wheel which frames the wild dashboard, floating a horizontal band that indicates speed on numbers embossed on the plastic over barrel style gauges in individual pods that are unlike just about anything produced before. Typical for Thunderbirds of this era, the mid panel sweeps right and turns to form the center stack, here backed in white and holding an AM/FM radio and climate panel along with window switches on the center console. Under the dash pad, aeronautical levers drop down while the black panel of the dash continues on its way to front the passenger. Red carpet covers the floor and the trunk is spotless and lined with charcoal cloth.
Drivetrain
Under the hood presenting in show quality condition is a 390ci V8 rated at 300 horsepower with a 4-barrel carburetor and a Cruise-O-Matic 3 speed automatic transmission. Power is routed to the rear axle, a Ford 9" with 3.00 gears. To land this bird, drum brakes are provided at all four wheels.
Undercarriage
More or less driver quality underneath with minimal surface rust, some oil the pan and crossmember, and some lingering grease build up on the belly pans. The knuckles are clear and the dual exhaust travels cleanly back to stock style mufflers just before exiting via chrome tips. Suspension is made up of coil springs up front and leaf springs in the back.
Drive-Ability
So cool and so unique, 60's era Thunderbirds are the ultimate cruisers with narrow side panels and a flat profile and this red paint will really turn some heads. The 390 starts, idles, and runs like a champ and we take our lap to test functionality of the rest. Good power though not fast, straight tracking, and plenty of visibility are welcome attributes of the car and we find that only the reverse lights are not working. All other functions do. While Classic Auto Mall represents that these functions were working at the time of our test drive, we cannot guarantee these functions will be working at the time of your purchase.
In 2024, Hagerty named the Flair Birds, ('64-'66), to their Bull Market List, the 10 best collector cars to buy right now. They wrote, "Trends say younger classic buyers, (born sometime after Neil Armstrong landed on the moon), are interested in Flair Birds. They do have a hipper, more mod vibe than the earlier Thunderbirds. This generation wants something different from Dad's old '55 Thunderbird". Old or young, this one will put you in the Thunderbird mood!
4Y85Z142887
4-1964
Y-Wixom, MI Assy Plant
85-Thunderbird Convertible
Z-390ci 4bbl 300hp V8
142887-Sequential Unit Number
WARRANTY PLATE
BODY 76A-Thunderbird Convertible
COLOR J-Rangoon Red
TRIM 83-White Leather
DATE 19E-May 19th
DSO 32-Cleveland
AXLE 1-Ford 9" 3.00 Conventional
TRANS 4-Cruise O Matic
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8 acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person. There is no guarantee of mileage. A $299 Dealer Administrative fee is not included in the advertised price.
With so many great cars, you know we have a lot to talk about, and we do that each week on the Classic Auto Mall Podcast with host Stewart Howden. Stewart discusses new inventory as well as trends in consignments and car prices, while interviewing celebrities and automotive professionals about amazing cars and their history. Tune in each week to the Classic Auto Mall Podcast wherever you enjoy listening. You can also watch on YouTube!
