1964 Ford Thunderbird Convertible
The fourth generation of the Ford Thunderbird is a large personal luxury car produced by Ford for the 1964 to 1966 model years. This generation of the Thunderbird was restyled in favor of a more squared-off, “formal” look. The only remnant of the Thunderbird’s former sporty image was the fact that the standard 390-cubic-inch 300 hp (224 kW) V8 engine needed nearly 11 seconds to push the heavy T-bird to 60 mph (97 km/h). The softly sprung suspension allowed considerable body lean, wallow, and float on curves and bumps. Contemporary testers felt that the Buick Riviera, Pontiac Grand Prix and Chrysler 300K were substantially more roadworthy cars, but the Thunderbird retained its leading market share.
Ford’s legendary Thunderbird was an integral part of the 1964 vehicle lineup that made the Blue Oval team so visible. Though new Mustangs, slick circle-track aero packages and even drag-racing Thunderbolts may have taken some of the editorial oxygen away, over 92,000 happy buyers that year found that Dearborn’s luxury-focused T-Bird was the way to travel. Design cues included the crisply-edged body shaping, wheel skirts, rear-angled front bumper, and quad headlights. The special logos, tail-light dress trim, and centered hood accent with chrome insert were all created to place the Thunderbird in a class of its own.
This 1964 Ford Thunderbird convertible was finished in Rangoon Red over black leather, and power comes from a 390ci V8 mated to a three-speed automatic transmission. Equipment includes a power-operated black convertible top, factory 14″ wire wheels with whitewall tires, power-adjustable bucket seats, air conditioning, and an AM/FM radio.
The black on red color combination is enhanced with Kelsey Hayes wire wheels and the Sportster Hump over the rear seats giving that long, sleek, sporting line to the already ultra-mod body.
From the door-tops down, convertibles are like other Thunderbirds – but what a difference up above! When you flick the switch it lowers automatically and stows completely out of sight into a hidden compartment back aft under the rear deck. No top boots to snap. No unsightly bulges. Not a hint that there even was a top. And if you want to be sportier still, there’s an optional molded tonneau cover which fits over the rear seat and converts the Convertible into a snappy roadster.
