1965 Ford Thunderbird

63AE Coupe

8 - Cyl.

Automatic

5Y83Z170772

Clear

Gasoline

Fantastic 1965 Thunderbird in original, unrestored condition. Always garaged and with no accidents or other damage in its history. Original paint (Code 21 - Silver Mink Metallic) and exterior trim and seals. All glass original Carlite. Original interior (light silver blue) including all door panels, headliner, carpets, console, dash and of course all seating surfaces. Driver's door cup has typical 46-year old stress cracking (see photo). Trunk area still lined in the original houndstooth vinyl (65 only). Original 390-4bbl V-8 engine with the numbers matching 4130 Autolite carb, rebuilt to better-than-spec by Pony Carburetor in Las Cruzes, NM in spring 2011. Heads rebuilt with hardened valve seats in early 2010, along with new water pump, reconditioned distributor. Fuel sender also replaced. Original Cruise-O-Matic 3-spd transmission is flawless. Outstanding shifts and with the smoothness they were known for. The steering column components were replaced in winter 2010 to correct the typical 64-65-66 problems with turn signal cancellation, loose vertical movement and popping out of "Park". What a difference. A special vacuum release valve was fitted to actuate the original parking brake dashpot, making the use of the brake an easier task. Power windows all function nicely and have no blemishes. Vent windows are manual. The original Borg clock was restored with electronic quartz movement and all instruments/lights function perfectly. Rear ventilation vacuum vent operates like it should, as do the terrific sequential tailights - using the original and fully-cleaned mechanical contactor. The wheels shown are 17" Ridler zero-offset polished aluminum rims with Firestone FR710 radials. The original wheels and wheel covers and the original metal fender skirts are included and are fitted with 1" whitewall radials. Using the 235/65-17 combination kept me with 0.2% of the circumference of the original 215/75-15 set-up so speeds and steering and axle speeds saw no difference. Original owners' manual from Fairway Ford in Highland Park, IL (DSO code on VIN tag = Chicago dealer delivery) plus the required service/wiring/body assembly models are of course included. What does not work: the AM radio is decorative only; the air conditioning likely hasn't worked for over 30 years (clutch is fine but compressor has been voided); power steering is excellent but loses ~1 oz of fluid after a day's run. Fully rebuilt pumps are cheap but getting the steering box out is not the easist task in the world and fluid is pennies a day... Beautiful car with power and elegance. Clear NC title in my name - less than 1200 miles over the last 14 months and everyone of them has been great.