The owner is pretty straightforward about the conditions of the floor pans but states that the frame is good. The automatic transmission is listed as a “hydromatic” but I’ll take that to mean a Ford Cruise-O-Matic (C6) unit. I am thinking it must be strong steering as well. Right from the get-go, the engine room shows a detached power steering pump and a beltless AC compressor, though the owner states that the car is “strong running”. Speaking of the engine, this T-bird has some issues, the question is whether they are insurmountable to restore this once proud ride to its former glory. This ’64 to ’66 T-bird was a refinement of the space age design that had preceded it from ’61 to ’63, similar but more current.Ī requirement for this luxury coupe segment was power and this ’65 T-bird came equipped with a 300 horsepower 390 CI engine as standard. This specialty model became a new niche for Ford and it worked handsomely. ![]() There was no Monte Carlo yet to provide competition, the Pontiac Grand Prix was still a full-size GM behemoth and the Studebaker Hawk was going down for the third time. So, what to do? Well, Ford converted its 1955-1957 Thunderbird to the 1958 Square Bird and the personal luxury coupe was invented. In looking back, the Thunderbird, introduced in 1955, was direct competition for Chevrolet’s Corvette and by 1956 it was evident that Chevy wasn’t going to cede the very limited two-seat sports car market as the ‘Vette started to stretch its legs performance-wise. ![]() This Barn Finds Feature is focused more on Ford’s first niche creation, the Thunderbird. ![]() The second time was with the Pony car, specifically the Mustang, which exceeded Ford’s wildest expectations when it was introduced in April of 1964. Ford motor company managed twice to create a niche market. By the time today’s featured Thunderbird, which is located in Jacksonville, Florida and for sale for $3,500 here on craigslist was produced, Ford had the luxury coupe market to themselves.
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