1966 Ford Thunderbird

Description

If you wanted 428 cubic inches of Ford big block in a 2-door coupe in 1966, the Thunderbird Town Hardtop was your best choice. The Town Hardtop was new for '66 and is perhaps the most distinctive model of the group, with its one-year-only blanked-out quarter windows that give it a truly unique look. Not readily apparent at first glance, park this one next to any other 'Bird of the period and this trick hardtop will definitely stand out.

This well documented Town Hardtop presents beautifully in its original code M Wimbledon White finish, which is factory paint that still looks great. This southern car shows what happens when you have a long-term owner with a conscience, and the detailed maintenance logs and mileage booklet are proof that this car was loved. Handsome detailing was a hallmark of the Thunderbird, and you'll be delighted by the features such as the subtle hood dome trim, crisp body lines which becomes slightly more pronounced towards the back of the car, recalling aircraft styling of the period. Chrome is in good condition, including the unique hardtop trim pieces, and restrained styling makes it one of the cleanest cars of the period. And yes, the sequential taillights still work like they should.

Inside, the lovely Emberglo bucket seat interior is a very elegant contrast to the paint, and the Town Hardtop models were loaded with features. Buckets and a console were standard equipment and this one also carries a console-mounted power locking system, swing-away steering wheel, overhead console, as well as factory A/C. The seats show very minor signs of use, but there are no rips or tears, and the condition of the interior is more proof that this is a very well maintained and exceptionally original car. The gauges are wonderfully stylish in their individual pods under the main speedometer, and the controls for the A/C and heat were definitely inspired by aircraft. Lots of stainless trim, all of which is in excellent condition, adds to the sleek ambience of the Town Hardtop, and the original AM radio connected to a power antenna still lives in the dash. The original trunk mats remain in excellent condition and have nothing to hide underneath.

The engine is Ford's powerhouse Q-code 428 cubic inch V8. Topped with a 4-barrel carburetor in the Thunderbird, it makes 345 robust horsepower, a big step up over the standard 390 V8. The only transmission available with the 428 was Ford's indestructible C6 "dual range" automatic, which offered three speeds despite what its name might suggest. Out back there's a 3.0 gear inside the 9-inch housing, making this Thunderbird the ideal partner for long highway cruises where the soft suspension floats along like a hovercraft. The floors are proof that this has always been a clean car, with original undercoating still visible throughout the chassis. It rides on a set of recent Goodyear whitewall radials and wears full wheel covers on 15-inch steel wheels.

Only a Lincoln offered more luxury than the Thunderbird, and with the thundering 428 under the hood, the 'Bird was more than a match for a lot of less sophisticated machinery. With extensive documentation and receipts, this is a beautiful survivor with a pedigree, so you can buy with confidence. Call today!