THE STORY Built between 1964 and 1966, the fourth-generation Ford Thunderbirds (known as “Flair Birds”) were personal luxury cars aimed at the highway cruising market as opposed to the sports car market.
The 1966 model was the final and most refined year for this series and Ford promoted them as “America’s Personal Luxury Car”.
Design updates for 1966 included a front egg-crate grille with central Thunderbird emblem, new headlight buckets, updated interior trim and full-width taillights that housed sequential turn signals.
Power came from Ford’s muscular 390 ci (6.4 Litre) FE V8 engine which produced 315 HP. The transmission was a 3-speed Cruise-O-Matic auto.
Features included a swing-away (“Fat Man”) steering wheel to make entry and exit easier, a power convertible top that used a fully automated hydraulic mechanism, front disc brakes, power windows, and power seats.
The interiors were well appointed and the rear seats gave the feeling of a wrap-around lounge chair.
Only 5,049 convertibles were made in 1966 and it was the final year that Ford offered a Thunderbird convertible for a long time.
This model became famous thanks to iconic films such as Thelma & Lousie.
THE CAR This is a wonderful 1966 Thunderbird finished in Green Gold Metallic paint with black vinyl interior. It was imported from the USA to Australia from Bedford, Indiana in 2019.
This car has all the goodies including its original Ford 390ci V8, 3-speed Cruise-O-Matic automatic transmission, power windows, power convertible top, power seat and swing away steering wheel.
The black convertible top operates well and the car comes with a large quantity of receipts documenting work completed over many years in the USA and Australia.
On the road this luxury Bird has great power, light steering and is a pleasure to cruise in.
There has been significant work done by the current owner over the last 5 years including power steering repairs, a full transmission overhaul, brake repairs and suspension work.
The car has two sets of keys and an engine immobiliser has been added.
This is an elegant and luxurious cruiser ready to drive anywhere.
