1966 Ford Thunderbird

1966 Ford Thunderbird Convertible In 2024, Hagerty published their bull market list, those cars climbing in the value ranks, vehicles poised for big gains. In that list of 10 cars is the '65-'66 Ford Thunderbird. Hagerty says that the stylistic Flair birds are seen as more hip than the '50's birds and attracting a younger audience, and by young they mean people born after Neil Armstrong landed on the moon.   For consignment, a 1966 Ford Thunderbird convertible showing 38,288 miles, but the true miles are unknown due to exemption. There were an astounding 25 exterior color options available on your 1966 Ford Thunderbird.  Exterior One of the 25 colors, and one of 16 that was metallic, we have here Medium Sage Gold, totally period and totally elegant with the uncanny ability to accentuate the flair bird's lines which are subtle and mostly straight. Out back, the tail light bar is enveloped in a chrome wrapper, integrating the bumper into the design better than most cars of the time. While in front, it's a standard straight bumper under the Iroquois-inspired thunderbird in the grille. 15-inch chrome wire wheels gleam brightly, capped by spinners and wrapped in wide white wall tires. Overhead, the black canvas top provides the perfect contrast and when it's down, you have a straight shouldered, wind defying cruiser. Imperfections include various chips, scratches, many touched up, scuffs, some blemishing in metalwork, blistering, filler repair under rear bumper, dinged window trim, a dent in the front apron, and peeling chrome on the front bumper.  Interior Linear styling is also displayed on the inside beginning with the black vinyl door panels, a combination of smooth surfaces, pleated insert, carpeted lower, and polished trim. There's a touch of wear especially on the armrests. Various stitching patterns are used on the bucket seats, mirrored by the curved 2+2 seating in back, and all of it is surrounded with polished trim. There are a few tears but overall they present cleanly. The plastic steering wheel shows some cracks and patina, leading to a very cool instrument cluster that presents three dimensional numbers over the speedometer gauge, and barrel type read outs in circles below it and despite the patina, are wildly unique. The center stack is also interesting as T-levers descend from a console then the middle holds an AM/FM radio and vent levers, and the faceplate becomes a flat top center console and armrest. Black carpet covers the floor along with vintage rubber mats and the trunk is fully finished in plaid vinyl covers. Drivetrain We're greeted by a clean engine bay housing the 390ci V8, rated at a healthy 300 horsepower and fueled via a 4-barrel carburetor. It's tied to a Cruise-O-Matic 3-speed automatic transmission sending power to the 9 rear with 3.00 gearing. Ford blue brightens the bay and contrasts with the black componentry. Undercarriage Generally clean underneath and mostly rust free.  We note a seam seal that is peeling and has rusted edges, along with some typical surface rust elsewhere but nothing alarming.  Also of note is quite a bit of oil on the pan.  For components, we have power disc brakes in front and power drums in back, along with dual exhaust that run through stock style mufflers and exit almost out of sight before the bumper.  Suspension is comprised of coil springs in front and leaf springs in back.  Drive-Ability We take our seat in the comfortable cruiser and crank the 390 to life, then shift into drive and roll onto the test loop. There's a low, relaxed feeling to the ergonomics of the car and the V8 has more than enough power pushing the car through straight tracking and pleasant handling. We note the reverse lights are not working but all other functions on board operate as intended and we fly this bird back to the showroom. While Classic Auto Mall represents that these functions were working at the time of our test drive, we cannot guarantee these func