Photos from the Cohort by Robadr.
Related CC reading:
Curbside Classic: 1964 Ford Thunderbird And Thunderbird Landau – A Flair Bird Double Sighting
Cohort Pic(k) Of The Day: 1964 Ford Thunderbird — Flair In The Sun
– Posted on May 25, 2024
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Curbside Classics Archives
Did they still have WWs back in 1964? Thought they went to narrows by then.
Probably. Owner had wide whites fitted. What a gorgeous car. I would be proud to drive it.
No, whitewalls are not period correct. Tailpipe extensions were added and the steering wheel should be color-keyed to interior. Appears that the ashtray rollover door is missing from the console. Nicely equipped with factory A/C and electric windows.
Those “wide w/w’s” don’t look awful. They just don’t go with the car.
Looks like they’d be better suited to a “59ish” model.
Stunning photographs – well shared.
Ditto. I always considered these as having one of Ford’s best dashboard designs ever. They weren’t fun to work on though.
Instead of being electric or vacuum, the wipers ran off hydraulic lines from the power steering pump. Routing high pressure hydraulic lines through the passenger compartment was an engineering idea that probably could have been better vetted for the eventual effects of aging & vibration on those lines.
When customers with T-birds started getting oil sprayed on their pants legs, we mechanics were faced with a heck of a job trying to locate & repair those under-dash leaks.
Stunner for sure.
Beautiful photos of a beautiful car! Love how “Thunderbird” is spelled out in individual letters across the hood, a trend quite popular today on the rear end of vehicles:
Beautiful in Vintage Burgundy. Yes, the WWs are not period correct. but if the owner favors them, so be it. easy to change out. Have owned a 64, A 65, and two 66 Flairbirds, simultaneously. They always knew when we had extra money, but never were the wipers an issue. Here ia the 64, with a replacement rear valance that had exhaust openings cut and Mustang GT chrome ring fittings. So I “adjusted” the exhaust through same. Unique, yes, factory, no.
The first car that I can remember my father owning was a 1964 T-bird, in a sort of bronze metallic color. He picked it up as an “old beater” station car, probably around 1970. Yes, in those days, even a fancy car could become an old beater in 6 years. It’s always nice to see one like this that didn’t fall into the beater category 50 years ago.
Nice pics Robadr! Wide whitewalls actually blunt its modern styling for this era. Makes it look more old-fashioned than it is. I often wonder if some owners of classic cars, really know how best to portray their autos.
I find these look best in lighter, metallic colours. Shows off more styling details, and lends more of a space-influenced appearance.
This is the color of the “64” my brother bought in “1977-78ish”. No “a/c”, power windows. He kept the fender skirts off, generally.
Was a nice driving, riding car. No tinted windows so summer was “rough”
Heater core was “not well.” Below “mid 40’s” for any length of time was awful.
I think he sold it off about “1980ish”.Maybe “81”.
A masterpiece of design. It looks like a ‘concept car’ that made its way to the road, and picked up some script and emblems along the way – does it really need that Thunderbird script on the side? You really souldn’t confuse it with anything else. Beautifully proportioned combination of sporty looks and luxury without being kitschy or generic. Yet.
I don’t mind the wide whites, but I’d lose those exhaust tips.
Does the Ford name or Blue Oval appear anywhere on this car? For all intents and purposes, Thunderbird was its own brand. Above Mercury, below Lincoln.
Nice pics, nice car.
Base Commander Air Force Dad bought a new 1963 T-Bird, metallic Heritage Burgundy with pearl beige interior (my first car in early 1967). Weeks later my best friend parents down the street bought and new 1963 blue Mercury Comet convertible. A few months passed and next-door neighbor bought a new 1964 T-Bird, pinkish with white interior. Every new car on the block was a moment of interest.
Buy a new car today, who cares. So many look similar.
Yes, wide whitewalls on the feature car are incorrect, but that is the taste of the owner.
I sometimes get ticked off about period correct tires. I lived it, and not all 1960s-70s big engine cars (Camaros, Mustangs, Challengers, Corvettes, etc.) came from the factory with raised white letter black wall tires. I bought off the dealer lot a new 1970 Nova SS, 396, with factory thin whitewall tires.
I always loved that Vintage Burgundy paint that Ford used (I believe) from 1964-67. I will confess that the too-wide whitewalls kind of ruin it for me, though.
Nice pictures Rich. My parents had a well-equipped gold/bronze 1964. If I remember right when the A/C was in operation it would make an occasional soft hissing sound. It also had a transistorized ignition system which failed several times. My parents’ car had an early seat belt warning system which can be seen in your interior pic right ahead of the power window switches. When the car was started the switch would illuminate red to remind you to buckle up. Pushing the switch button would extinguish the light.
I had this 64 flair bird for a few short months. It belonged to a casual acquaintance. The head gasket blew out on it. I bought it to keep it from going to the crusher. It was from what I understand mostly original. Silver mink paint matching interior with a black vinyl roof. I can change out most basic parts…. But the head gasket was not something I would take on, on my own I sold the car to someone that really wanted it. I hope he gave it some love and will give it some use. If you pull up the pick it was a rusty car with rust bubbles all over the bottom of the car
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