1964 Ford Thunderbird Review
Following shaky beginnings, the Thunderbird had grown to become one of Ford's most popular models, as well as being an important image builder for the FoMoCo brand. 1964 marked the arrival of the fourth generation of T-Bird, known colloquially as the 'Flair Bird'.
The design showed elements of the previous generation 'Bullet Bird', but reflecting the trends of the time, there was much less chrome, and the bodyside sculpting was more pronounced, with a scalloped mid-section that included a small but distinctive 'hip' in line with the door handles. This not only helped distinguish the vehicle from its predecessor, but also contributed to making the body more rigid. The chrome trim that ran the length of the body along the beltline was gone, while the guards were lowered to be level with the bonnet. The decorative 'hash' marks on the flanks, which had been shuffled around throughout the lifespan of the Bullet Bird, were gone altogether for the 1964 model, and the 'Thunderbird' script badge was moved to the front guards, aft of the wheelwells. The same quad headlight arrangement from the 1963 'Bird was used for the 1964 models, but with greatly reduced chrome trim. The past year's 'bird' bonnet ornament was replaced with THUNDERBIRD spelt out in large block letters across the bonnet's leading edge. This is the easiest visual cue for identifying a 1964 T-Bird from the 1965 and 1966 models that followed. The grille itself was simplified, with fine horizontal inserts.
At the rear, the 'afterburner' circular tail lights were replaced by a pair of broad, narrow rectangular units, separated by a central chrome trim panel that also carried the Thunderbird name. Ford had planned to introduce the novel sequential rear turn signals with the 1964 T-Birds, but problems with the legality of these lights in some US States led to the technology being held back a year to debut with the 1965 models. Wider doors and changes to the roofline on 1964 hardtops made entry and exit easier for rear seat passengers.
The interior was greatly modified on the 1964 Thunderbirds, and referred to as "Flight Deck" styling. It must be remembered that the 1964 T-Birds arrived in the middle of the 'space race', so allusions to rockets, jets and so on were common, and not just in cars, either. The fuel, temp, volts and oil gauges were mounted in individual "jet-age" pods, while a two-spoke steering wheel made the gauges easier to see. Above the gauges ran a new, wide linear speedometer, the indicator of which changed from white to orange as speed increased. Another point of note with the dash layout was the addition of soft green backlighting to all the gauges, a distinctive look that Ford highlighted in advertising and brochures. A seatbelt warning light was standard, with optional low fuel and hazard flasher lights available. Further enhancing the whole 'jet' image, the dash layout swept around into the centre console, which depending on the amount of options specified, would be stuffed with additional gauges, gadgets, switches and buttons - what advertising referred to as a 'Command Post' for the driver! With so much on the dash, the turn indicators were moved to two small pods on the leading edge of the front guards, which flashed a light back at the driver when the bumper-mounted turn signals were in operation. Front seats were a new thin-shell type, which gave more rear seat room thanks to their thinner cross section, while still offering good comfort and support.
Despite all the visual changes, the basic running gear on 1964 Thunderbirds was the same as past years. The 300bhp 390ci V8 and Cruise-O-Matic auto remained standard, with a low-compression 275bhp version produced for export markets. Power steering and power brakes were standard, as was a push-button AM radio, heater and a number of other decorative and convenience features. One of the more interesting additions for the 1964 model was 'Automatic Speed Control' an early form of cruise control that offered an "accelerator-free" constant speed. Options included leather seats, whitewall tyres, air conditioning, power seats, power windows, reclining passenger seat and more. Wheel size was increased to 15 inches and 8.15 x 15 low profile tyres were specially developed for the Thunderbird. Choosing the optional wire wheels meant you had to stick with 14 inch rims.
Hardtop, landau and convertible models were available for 1964, but the Sports Roadster was deleted from the lineup as a distinct model. However, the fibreglass tonneau cover and wire wheel components that distinguished the Sports Roadster could still be purchased separately. Production numbers increased across all three available body styles for 1964, with the 60 percent growth in Landau production vindicating Ford's decision to make the T-Bird more luxurious. In fact, 1964 was the Thunderbird's second best sales year to that date, only missing the number one slot by less than 400 units. The Mustang debuted in the same year, and soon filled the 'sports' gap in Ford's lineup vacated by the Thunderbird. The competition from the Buick Riviera, Pontiac Grand Prix and Chrysler 300s proved to be no competition at all, as the Thunderbird outsold the lot by a big margin.
Popular then, the 1964 Thunderbird continues to be a popular choice with classic cruiser enthusiasts today. Each generation of Thunderbird has its own devotees, with each offering the same comfortable cruising experience. It really comes down to looks, and on that front, the Flair Birds have attracted more than their fair share of owners and enthusiasts.
SPECIFICATIONS: 1964 Ford Thunderbird
Engine: 390ci V8
Bore/stroke: 4.05 x 3.78 inch
Compression: 10.8:1
Power/torque: 300bhp @ 4600rpm / 427lb/ft @ 2800 rpm
Fuel system: 4 bbl carburettor
Cooling system: liquid
Electrics: 12 Volt
Transmission: 3-speed Cruise-O-Matic automatic
Front brakes: 11.09 x 3" drum
Rear brakes: 11 x 2.5" drum
Wheels: 15" Fr/Rr (optional 14" wire wheels)
Tyres: 8.15 x 15 Fr/Rr (8.00 x 14 w/optional wire wheels)
Wheelbase: 113.2" (2875mm)
Length: 205.4" (5217mm)
Width: 77.1" (1958mm)
Weight (GVW): 4,431lb (hardtop), 4,586lb (landau), 4,441lb (convertible)
2,010kg, 2,080kg, 2,014.5kg respectively
0-100kph: 10.5 seconds - approx
Top Speed: 188kph - approx
TRIVIA
To boost interest in the 1964 models, and Thunderbirds in general, Ford produced the 'Golden Palomino' show car that toured the auto show circuit. Based on a stock Thunderbird landau, the vinyl roof was cut back so it only covered the rear half of the roof. Forward of that, a pair of flip-up panels was added to the roof, ostensibly to make entry-exit easier, but creating a targa-style roof in the process. The Golden Palomino also featured metallic golden brown paint and a customised interior trimmed in factory 'Medium Palomino' vinyl. Wheels were the distinctive Kelsey-Hayes wires, with rear wheel spats specially widened to fit over the wheel's knock-off centre caps.
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In 1964, Ford's "Total Performance Products" range, which included the Thunderbird, won Motor Trend magazine's 'Car of the Year' award. The award was apparently bestowed on the Ford lineup for "the best possible use of high-performance testing in bringing to the motoring public a product that lives up to the claims of the maker: Total Performance."
