1965 Ford Thunderbird Coupe

West Coast Thunderbird with long-term, same family ownership since 1988. Recent service work. A nice driver example of the beautiful mid 60's "Flair bird"

The 4th generation of Ford's Thunderbird lineup was revamped in 1964 and went through 1966, these were known as the "flair" birds. The interior was jet-age inspired with clam shell seat design, lots of chrome, a vertical progressive red bar display for the speedometer, aircraft design levers, and a beautiful dashboard that Ford called the "flight-deck instrument panel". Standard equipment included: 300-horsepower Thunderbird 390 V-8 - Cruise-O-Matic Drive - Automatic Parking Brake Release - Power Steering - Power Brakes - Silent-Flo Ventilation System - Swing-Away Steering Wheel - “Floating” Day/Night (inside) and Remote Control (outside) Mirrors - Individually Adjustable Shell Front Seats - Retractable Front Seat Belts with Reminder Light - Front Center Armrest (atop console) - Rear Center Folding Armrest - Padded Instrument Panel and Visors - Crank Adjusted Vent Windows - All-Transistor AM Radio - MagicAire Heater/Defroster - Electric Clock - Courtesy Lights - Dual Lens Door Lights - Glove Box Light - Trunk Light - Backup Lights - Lighted Ignition - Variable Speed Hydraulic Wipers (18-inch blades) and Electric Washers - For 1965 Ford introduced some new equipment including front disc brakes and trick looking sequential rear turn signals.

This 1965 model year Thunderbird Coupe was built at the Wixom, Michigan assembly plant and originally sold by University Motors of San Diego, CA on July 29, 1965 to Laurel Denhart of San Diego. The car is finished in beautiful Patrician Green Metallic over Teal interior. Options included; closed emission system, safety-convienence control panel, 15-inch steel wheels, power windows, Selectaire air-conditioning, tinted glass, and fender skirts. The total MSRP was $5399. The 2nd owner was a Mr. Morgan of Anaheim, CA. In 1988 the car was purchased by a Mr. Barraclough of Idaho Falls, ID. During his ownership the car was repainted to a good quality standard otherwise was left original. The car would then get moved to WA State when his niece inherited the T-Bird in 2014 with 89,279 miles displayed.

Around $7000 was spent in maintenance under her care including a transmission service, battery, carburetor rebuild, new alternator and starter, new rear brakes, pinion seal, and radiator hoses. We have just performed the following work: resealed and refinished the valve covers/ air cleaner, new air filter, oil change, coolant flush, new upholstery in trunk with new seals, recharged the AC (has been converted to R134 freon) replaced spark plugs, new accessory belts, replaced rear wheel bearings, new wiper blades, repaired lights, repaired windows, 4 new shocks fitted, upper strut bushings replaced, battery tray replaced, new distributor cap, new hood insulation pad, new teal rubber floor mats, and a motor bay refreshening was performed. Overall the car shows very nicely with good paintwork and chrome, interior is very well kept aside from some minor wear to the driver lower seat cushion outer side which has had a repair at some point, all electrical is in good working order aside from the clock no longer functions. The original AM radio turns on but we cannot get it to find a stations, it just has static. All gauges, lights, signals, horn, wipers, heater fan operate normally. The current ODO reading of 91,154 is believed to be actual and backed up by service records.

This 65' Thunderbird is a great driver and looks stunning in the teal on teal color combo. The car has its original owner's manual, sales brochure, wiring diagram book, 2 sets of keys, and service records going back to new. These "flair birds" are a great mid-century classic that have grown quite popular among collectors today as they really represent the golden age of sophistication of 60's automotive design.