1966 Ford Thunderbird

Coupe

8 - Cyl.

Automatic

6Y87Q122346

Clear

Gasoline

Highly Optioned 1966 Thunderbird 428CI “Q” Code Motor Very Desirable and Collectable Up for sale is my 1966 Thunderbird Town Landau with “Q” code 428 motor. This car is one of the highest optioned Thunderbirds that I have seen. It has been tenderly cared for, both in body and mechanicals. Given the outstanding condition and the all the options, this is an extremely desirable and highly collectable car. The engine, factory original 428, was fully rebuilt in 1991 at approximately 60,000 miles and while the motor was out of the car the owner decided to have the car and engine compartment repainted the original Ford “X” code Vintage Burgundy” color. He said the car was stripped to bare metal and then new primer and paint were applied. It still looks good after 20 years. The car came off the Ford Wixom, MI assembly line in mid November 1965. It was invoiced to Kelly Slattery Ford in Fort Dodge, Iowa on November 19, 1965 and shipped the next day. Included in the sale is the ORIGINAL pink invoice (copy 3) from Ford Wixom plant! Dealer price including the 8 gallons of gas @ $.30/gallon was $4574.04. Retail sticker price was $5862.73. Considering that the average New Home price in 1965 was $13,600, this car was at the very high end of the luxury and performance scale. This is not a 100 point show car as there are some paint imperfections including a couple of nicks and small scratches, a scuff below the rear bumper, small imperfection on headliner, some pitting of chrome, a crack in the steering wheel like all Birds of this vintage, etc but for being almost 45 years old this car is in awesome shape due to the exceptional care this car has received. The dash pad looks like the day it came out of the factory. Still soft and no cracks as result of being kept in a garage over the years and out of the elements. The floors and trunk have never been patched or replaced, all original metal. I did not find any body filler in any of the body panels either. It is very important from an investment and collector standpoint to have a solid body and frame. It costs a small fortune to have one of these vintage cars restored if rust is actively eating away at the metal so a few dollars more for a solid car is well spent in the long run. Prior owner was a member of several Thunderbird clubs in the Mid West and drove regularly to events in Illinois and Michigan. Present mileage on the car is 63,349 miles. When I purchased the car in 2009 the mileage was 62,645. About half the miles in the last year was highway. The car loves to cruise at >65mph. Engine purrs beautifully with no strange sounds or smoke. The car passed a RI State Inspection in April 2009 and sticker is valid until April 2011. Notable options in addition to the Town Landau package are: - 428 4V “Q” code motor; 345HP, 462 lbs torque - Power Windows including Power Vent Windows - Reclining Passenger Seat with Headrest - 6-Way Power Driver’s Seat - Highway Pilot Cruise Control - Vacuum Trunk Lid Release - Selectaire Conditioner - AM/Radio with Stereosonic 8-Track Tape System (4 in the door speakers) - Power Radio Antenna - Tinted Glass - Wheel Covers with Simulated KO Hubs & Shields Standard features for the 1966 Thunderbird Town Landau include: - Vacuum operated Door Locks - Vacuum operated Rear Vent - Overhead Safety Panel for Low Fuel, Door Ajar, Seat Belt Light and 4-Way Flasher - Vinyl Roof Since I purchased the car in 2009 I replaced or upgraded the following items: - 4 new Cooper P215/75R15 WW Steel Belted Radial Tires - Front Right and Left Inner Tie Rods - Idler Arm - Right Upper Ball Joint - Front lower control arm bushings - Rear brakes and drums - Rear Shocks - New rear axel bearings and seals - Wheel balance and alignment - Fuel Pump - Rebuilt Carburetor - Fuel Sending Unit - Sequential Rear Light relay (replaced with electronic version) - Rear Light Relays (replaced with electronic version) - Vacuum lines During the winter months I completely reworked the vacuum systems. The vacuum operated parking brake, both door locks, the rear vent, the trunk release and the heating/defrost/cooling controls all operate. While I had the console and part of the front panels apart, I removed the AM/8-Track unit and sent it to Gary Tayman at Tayman Electrical in FL for complete upgrade to AM/FM Stereo and 8-Track restoration. He was able to maintain the original exterior of the AM radio but replace the original internal components with electronic an subassembly (even mp3 line out). It sounds awesome. I highly recommend Gary if you need radio repair. Also replaced a couple of the door speakers with new ones from S/M Electro-Tech. They make their own speakers for auto restorations. Known items that presently are not functional are: - A/C. All components are on the car and from what I can see it has never been converted from R12. Blower, blower door vents, etc function correctly. Heating valve works is fully functional as well. Have not taken into shop for diagnosis. - Cruise Control. All components except for vacuum hoses are still on the car. This system is so complex with so many valves, gears, buttons, etc that I did not even attempt to trouble shoot. I have a factory repair manual that I will give the new owner that also covers cruise control troubleshooting. - Clock. I have a new clock that has been rebuilt using quartz movement, which is not yet installed, and I will provide it as part of sale.Also included with the car are 4 Coker (spare is also Coker) reproduction bias belted tires. Prior owner participated in many car shows so he wanted his Bird to be as authentic as possible. There are lots of trophies and ribbons that he won which I will include as well. I also have several boxes of spare parts that I will include as part of the sale. There are many papers for repair work, etc going back to the early 80’s which will also be included with the car. This includes the paint invoice, itemized listing of motor rebuild cost and a 1986 Appraisal at 55,513 miles. It was listed as “Excellent” condition even prior to paint and motor rebuild! Rhode Island does not issue titles for a vehicle over 10 years of age. The registration is the legal document in lieu of titles (as listed in the RI DMV website). There is no issue to register these older vehicles in other states. Many states in the Northeast have similar laws. I have a current RI registration, sales tax payment receipt and the Michigan title from former owner along with their former MI registration. This car is being sold “As Is”. I have done my best to notate the condition of this car, however, I always recommend potential buyers ask questions or view the car. The car is available for inspection by appointment. Please ask any questions before bidding, as all sales are final. Thank you for your interest.