1965 Ford Thunderbird for sale $42,900

Over the last 113 years Ford has built such a vast empire of lovable marques that some of them just seem to get overlooked. Possibly the most substantial victim of that unfortunate phenomenon is the storied Thunderbird. Introduced in 1955 as a refined Corvette competitor the brands first personal luxury car celebrates eleven generations of some of the most diverse products ever offered under one banner. And not as acute as the GT or as commonplace as the Mustang the car spent most of its life as the poster child for evolving automotive tastes. This classy T-Bird is a solid cruiser thats benefitted from careful restoration as needed. And if youre looking for an awesome classic thats fun attractive and ready to roll you simply wont find more car for the money!

BODYWORK/TRIM

Walking up to this beloved Flair Bird one thing is certain: the car makes a big first impression. Harshly sculpted but at the same time elegant this Ford has presence that stretches far beyond its large and luxurious proportions. By 1965 all pretense of the Thunderbird being a Corvette competitor had been thrown out the window. And that certainly wasnt a bad thing as Dearborn had decided conquering the burgeoning personal luxury market was a much better play than selling a niche sports car. Lovingly restored as needed this particular Flair Bird reflects a correct coat of Wimbledon White 2-stage that exudes a clean and classy demeanor. That pigment believed to be the cars one and only repaint highlights straight panels that appear solid and mostly original. That rust-free profile spending most of its life in the southern United States is well aligned suggesting this bird has probably never experienced any in-flight emergencies or harsh landings. And as far as its previous owner knows the 20586 clicks on the cars odometer are an accurate indication of a low-mileage life.

Looking more like a high priced Lincoln than a working mans Ford the fourth generation Thunderbird reimagined the brands familiar bullet profile with heavy style lines and intricate trim. At the front of the car a 65-exclusive grille flows seamlessly into an angled bumper which centers petite parking lamps beneath chrome-trimmed eyebrow headlights that intentionally recall the earlier Square Bird. Above that grille a correct bird-branded hood centers a tasteful scoop between classy turn indicators and stainless-trimmed glass thats capped by white vinyl which is stretched across a rebuilt top. At the sides of that greenhouse skeg-lined fenders flow into flared quarters behind a power antenna optional wheel skirts polished mirrors classy Thunderbird scripts and 65-exclusive waste gate trim. And at the back of those quarters a jet-inspired decklid founds a bold valance around sequential taillights a second bird emblem and nondescript reverse lamps.

ENGINE

While the T-Birds eventual purpose was more luxury than performance power has never been an issue. Under this drop-tops long hood youll find an original 390 cubic inch FE V8 that to the current owners knowledge has never been removed or rebuilt. One of the most versatile Ford engines ever created this highly regarded block was in the Thunderbird factory-rated with stout 10 to 1 compression a nice round 300 horsepower and an impressive 427 lb./ft. of torque. At the top of the old school mill a modern Holley carburetor nabs oxygen from a gold correctly decaled air cleaner and shoves it in to a painted cast iron intake. At the sides of that intake factory heads hang requisite gold rocker covers over correct cast iron exhaust manifolds. At the front of those covers a