1966 Ford Thunderbird Town Sedan Hardtop
Highlights
- Lovely, restored example
- Substantial history file
- Amazing red interior
- 390ci V8
The Appeal
Introduced in 1964, the fourth-generation Ford Thunderbird brought in a new square-edged look for a new era. The model’s iconic cigar-shape profile remained, but its quad headlamps and squared off rear were new, while the vast an open cabin was further refined to match the new look.
The T-Bird was offered as a hardtop, convertible, Sports Roadster with dealer-installed tonneau cover and wire wheels, and Landau with vinyl roof, simulated landau irons, and wood grain interior appointments, while from 1965 it got sequential turn signals – the first car in the world to have them. A new Town Sedan model was offered, which featured a roof with blind quarter panels for a more 'formal' look, at the cost of rear visibility, and removed the retractable side window for rear passengers.
Later versions also got front disc brakes and a power increase. This is one such car – a 1966 model from towards the end of fourth-gen Thunderbird production, with a 6.6-litre (390Ci) V8 developing 315bhp, coupled to a three-speed Cruise-o-Matic three-speed gearbox.
It’s a lovely car that has been in the UK for over half of its life, arriving here in 1990 and undergoing a comprehensive restoration. It has had four owners since.
The vendor is an American car collector and she bought the Thunderbird in early 2023 to tick another car off her bucket list – but with the new show season approaching she’s decided it’s time to try something different for 2024.
The History and Paperwork
- UK V5C
- MOT, tax and ULEZ exempt
- Large file of invoices and paperwork going back to the car’s arrival in the UK in 1990
- Four UK owners
- Copy of US ownership documents showing long-term ownership
- Original bill of sale from 1966 when it was later supplied by Heywood’s Ford of Worcester, Massachusetts
- Period-correct service book
- Parts catalogues
- Shop manual
- Rare Jim Osborn assembly manual
- Huge folder of bills and receipts – over 100 in total
- Old V5 documents
- Hand written notebook documenting 1990s ownership
The Condition
- Older restoration in original Wimbledon White
- Paint in excellent order all over with no obvious damage or corrosion
- Chassis appears solid with no apparent rust areas
- Excellent chrome, trim and badges
- Stunning red leather upholstery, seats in superb order
- Immaculate carpets and door cards
- Electric windows
- Original accessory radio-cassette player
- Space-age “pod” dials
- Red vinyl roof lining
From its vast bulk to its striking red interior, this is a car that is breathtaking in every respect. It looks incredible from stern to bow, and is in lovely overall condition.
The Wimbledon White paintwork is fantastic in every respect with no notable marks or damage, the underside appears sound and tidy and the chrome and trim parts are all in fabulous condition with no evident damage.
Inside, it’s incredible – a sea of red, with wonderful, extravagant details of the type that can only be found on American machinery of the era. The gauges sit in futuristic pods beneath the strip speedometer, while electric windows and an authentic radio-cassette player are a world apart from British machinery of the same era.
The Mechanics
- 6.6-litre V8
- Three-speed column change Cruise-o-Matic
- Starts on the button and runs without fault
Fire up the big V8 and it sounds incredible, warbling into life before settling into a steady and even idle. It’s a massive engine – a 390Ci/6.6-litre derivative of the Ford-Edsel FE V8 with an impressive-for-the-era 315bhp. It feeds its power to the rear wheels via a delightfully named Cruise-o-Matic three-speed automatic transmission, which the vendor reports to be in fine working order. It has wanted for nothing over the past 34 years, with a whole box file full of bills and invoices documenting a fastidious approach to maintenance.
Overall, then, an absolutely stunning beast of a car, in fabulous condition throughout.
BEFORE YOU BUY
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✓ If the seller is registered as a private seller, consumer rights stemming from EU consumer protection law do not apply. Car & Classic’s return policy applies.
✓ A non-refundable deposit will be payable if you are the winning bidder at auction or if your offer is accepted, refer to FAQs and T&Cs for details.
✓ This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is, Where Is’ basis and without warranty. A full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase and bidding is highly recommended. Photos and descriptions are for guidance purposes only.
✓ VAT is included in the buyer's deposit. VAT may or may not be included in the final bid or offer price, as specified in the listing.
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✓ Buyers are responsible for vehicle collection or delivery.
Vehicle specification
- Year 1966
- Make Ford
- Model Thunderbird
- Colour White
- Odometer 80,844 Miles
- Engine size 6600
Listing Details
- Seller Type Private
- Town Spalding
- Location Lincolnshire
- Country United Kingdom
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