1964 Ford Thunderbird Landau

By the time the fourth-generation Ford Thunderbird appeared in 1964, the Thunderbird design studio had a firm grasp of what their customers liked and didn't like. Since the “banana-nose” design of the Bullet Birds hadn't gone over well, Bill Boyer and his team revisited some earlier styling themes for its 1964 successor. The Bullet Bird's unloved recessed headlights, tail fins, and dog-dish taillights all got the ax.

In house, for consignment, is this 4th generation T bird from Ford known as the “flair bird”. It's all grown up and has found its niche and from past sales Ford knew now what customers wanted. This car has 42,102 original miles, (according to the consigner), and a coat of white resprayed paint with a beautifully designed interior dripping of mid century modern. A 300hp 390ci V8, and an all new brake and exhaust system, and survivor in many ways. Some overall dirt, smudges and a few scratches and dings, but it's all there, turn the key and enjoy this classic original car.

Exterior
White like the driven snow, drapes the still straight steel panels throughout. Dual different size headlights reside within their own coves framed by the hood and lower bumper. It takes on an almost mad look with the lines of the hood like scowling eyebrows. The grille and bumper setup has a few smudges on it, but remains shiny. In lieu of any side trimmings this car has machined “skeg” lines extending through the doors into the rear fenders. These are like mini awnings for the door handles and fender skirts on the rear quarters. Panels are straight, and have nicely managed gaps throughout. A scooped hood, and chrome trimmings for the glass on the greenhouse, and large “B” pillar on the landau vinyl black top, complete with landau bars frame the rear of the roofline. Bringing up the rear just below the thin designed rear quarters and trunk lid, is the rear bumper with dual horizontal rectangles housing tail lights with more bird badges in the centers of the taillights. Standard T bird wheel covers available for the day with faux knockoff hubs are wrapped in thin white wall tires all around.

Interior
Inside affords a look into the future, (from 1964 eyes), with sleek lines and well thought usage of ribbed vinyl, solid smooth panels, and a mix of plenty of shiny polished aluminum panels for the doors. This car has the unique side to side moveable steering wheel although it sticks and does not move. The dual bomber styled buckets for the front seats are covered in green vinyl and have chrome trimmings which like the passenger chair, is a low back stylized bomber bucket with tuck and roll and smooth green vinyl centers running through them and stitched in winged badges. Nice chrome trimmings hold the buckets firmly in place, and we note the driver's seat is power. Turning to the dash, all the modern stops were pulled out for this instrument cluster which includes a rolling line speedometer indicator, (pointers are so pedestrian!), and 4 round eyeball gauges in deep round bezels stretching across the bottom of the speedo. The original steering wheel, looking all good, fronts the dash, and has the shifter on the tree for the automatic transmission. A curved line stretches from door to door, and melts into a center console with plenty more of polished and brushed aluminum along with wood appliqué throughout. This part houses a radio, heater controls, and the power window toggles. Also, a large glove box is between the buckets within a futuristic styled center console. In back a wonderful wrap-around rear seat in green tuck and roll vinyl and nearly perfect condition has a folding center armrest and side molded into the curve armrests are seen. The design just does not get any more modern looking. In front of the glovebox is a snappy sliding panel which reveals the cigarette station, lighter and ashtray. Smoke 'em if ya got 'em! Above hanging below the padded green vinyl dash is a center chromed bezel housing the futuristic temp toggles and a central clock. A perforated vinyl white headliner, in very white and tight condition hangs tightly above all this mid century modern bling, and gold carpet floods the floors. A shout out to the trunk which is beautifully restored in gray near perfect carpeting and nice white paint.

Drivetrain
Underneath the hood is the original engine in 390ci form, and it's backed up by the 3-speed Cruise-O-Matic transmission. The engine and bay are very clean, and consigner states they believe it was rebuilt at one point in time. A 4-barrel carburetor is atop, and this engine specs out showing it will produce 300hp. All surfaces have slight patina, and gold paint now covers the valve coverings and air cleaner housing.

Undercarriage
Peering underneath, there is surface rust seen on some suspension parts, and intermittently on the floor pans, particularly on the passengers floorpans where some rust is underneath chipped off undercoating. Although, despite this fault, these remain mostly undercoated and solid. Some light oiling can be noted around the transmission and engine. As noted some slight surface rust can be seen under the paint and on the exterior rocker areas and just behind the rear wheel wells. Power drum brakes are all around, and independent coil spring suspension is on front, and leaf springs for the rear.

Drive-Ability
A quick starter, this car accelerated and put a smile on my face and handles like it was on a cushion of air, very smooth big car ride. The power seat worked, although the power windows in back were not cooperative. As noted, the swing away steering column sticks.

A survivor if you will, with the showing of the passage of time, but all in a good way. Nice clean surfaces throughout, and green vinyl for the interior is in beautiful condition. Overall, this car is very good, and is a smooth driver and cruiser. The landau top and nice straight lines give it the look of luxury and the exterior design plays off the sporty end.

VIN DECODE
4Y87Z169305
4-1964
Y-Wixom, MI Assy Plant
87-Thunderbird Landau
Z-390ci V8 4bbl 300hp
169305-Sequential Unit Number

WARRANTY TAG
BODY 63B-Thunderbird Landau Hardtop
COLOR I-Florentine Green
TRIM 58-Gold Vinyl
DATE 09D-April 9th Build
DSO 26-Washington
AXLE 1-Ford 9" 3.00 Conventional
TRANS 4-Cruise-O-Matic 3 Speed

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 600 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.