It’s difficult to say if my paradigm is based on facts, but I feel that the learning process includes things that we have to pass through our system to achieve a more sophisticated position. Using our Pick of the Day as our example, cars like this 1966 Ford Thunderbird Convertible were among the first of my favorite classics, but then I moved on. Nonetheless, I always have a warm stirring of longing when I see a car like this. This T-bird is listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Newburgh, New York.
There are several reasons why the 1966 Ford Thunderbird was a part of my automotive education: First, classic Thunderbirds are awesome, especially a two-seater evolving into a four-seater. Next, many were owned by mature owners, so the rate of attrition was smaller than your average old car and, hence, I was able to catch glimpses of them as a kid. Then, Thunderbird ads were common in the old National Geographic magazines I had access to. Lastly, I was entranced by the sequential taillights of Mercury Cougars, and the 1965-66 Ford Thunderbird was the car that originated that gimmick. Of the two years, I felt the ’66 was superior by far, especially due to its full-width taillights. I even bought the AMT model (the “build custom or stock” version introduced in 1978) and did my best to build it, but when it came to art, I had two left thumbs.
Though I knew the 1966 Thunderbird was the last of its generation, I was not aware of the things that made it an improved model. For example, I did not know 1966 was the first time since 1960 that more than one engine size was available. In this case, Ford introduced the FE-based 428ci V-8 as an option. Ford called this 345-hosepower engine the Thunderbird 428 V-8, an engine also available in full-size Fords as well as the special Galaxie 500 7-Litre that was created to showcase the engine.
I also didn’t know the Town Hardtop and Town Landau were new for 1966. For 1965, the Thunderbird was available as a Hardtop, Convertible, and Landau, but Ford shuffled things around for ’66: A new Town Hardtop and Town Landau featured a formal roof with an extended C-pillar that took real estate where the rear side window used to be. The 1965 Landau shared the raked C-pillar with the Hardtop, but for 1966, the “regular” Landau was replaced by the Town Landau. The standard Thunderbird Hardtop (with raked C-pillar) continued, as did the Convertible.
One of the neat aspects of the Town models was the Overhead Safety Panel, an overhead console that featured lights including alerts for door ajar, low fuel, and fasten seat belts, plus a hazard switch and indicator. This feature would trickle down as a similar option for the 1967 Mustang as part of the Interior Décor Option.
Though it was not possible to have the Overhead Safety Panel in a Convertible, Ford did make the package available for the Hardtop and Convertible, though mounted on the floor console. This 1966 Ford Thunderbird Convertible appears to have this option plus several other notable ones: 428 engine, accessory tonneau cover, and Kelsey-Hayes wire wheels. “New console mounted power window switches and both the driver and passenger side window motors have been replaced,” says the seller. “New top arms for the Convertible were installed when the new white Convertible top replaced the old one. All the mechanics for the top were checked out and fine-tuned by a Thunderbird mechanic with over 50 years’ experience working on Thunderbird Convertibles.” Radio has been replaced with a new RetroSound radio with Bluetooth, along with a dash speaker and new rear speaker.
Sure, maybe my interests have evolved, but it’s nice to come back. Perhaps you, too, are one who’s always been keen on the ’66 T-bird? For $46,595 (OBO), you can feel like you never left.
Click here to view this Pick of the Day on ClassicCars.com
