Our Community is 940,000 Strong. Join Us.


1964 - 65 - 66 Thunderbird Lovers POST HERE


Dave ESPI
04-21-2003, 05:16 PM
felt a thread needed to be said for us "Flair Birders" to say "what waht" in.

I have a 1966 LANDAU and might be getting a 66 Town Hardtop.

any of you birders have any experience with headliner repair for the 2 part roof shells ? (non BOW) the inserts came out nicely, but they were draperies on a nice hot day.... argh....

here is my stats...

1966 Landau
THUNDERBIRD
DAILY DRIVER READY
75 % restored to original specs.


I HAVE MADE THIS CAR AS FUNCTIONAL AS POSSIBLE FOR DAILY USE. AND THE EXHAUSE SYSTEM HAS BEEN UPDATED.
I NEVER LET THIS CAR SIT, AND I LOVE DRIVING IT. I HAVE OVER 8 K INVESTED, AND HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED DESPITE ITS "COSMETICALY CHALENGED" APPEARANCE.
IM CONTEMPLATING SELLING IT CAUSE IM GETTING MARRIED AND ONE OF MY HOBBIES HAS TO SUFFER,
AND I'LL DAMMNED.... IF I DRAIN ANY OF MY SALTWATER REEFTANKS...(MY OTHER EXPENSIVE HOBBY) LOL
The only rust on the car is the lower rear quarters, and it is really fixable. ( If I dont sell car by next spring I will, and keep it probaly.)
IVY GOLD INTERIOR out-side VIN color is green, but it is primered white now and all rust is minor surface oxidation.
Interior is VG cond. Front driver seat needs a bottom cushon and re upholstery, Back seats are great As is dash ( NO CRACKS) and all the other trim. Door panels (as with ALL 66 Landaus are impossible to find, but these are in ok condition
with minor cracking and some handle/ tape repair, but interior is complete. Head liners are redone, but need finnesing.
I LOVE driving this car, but am just personaly tired of chasing down nit picky stuff..... I have another car for that type of attention..LOL

STATS:
390 engine, C-6 trans, 9 inch SOLID AND STRONG NEVER BEEN RACED rear end. Power steering, NEW disc brakes, swing away column, sequential turn lamps,
Power Vaccum door locks, louver windows. Has A/C (disconnected and capped off, but easy to re install condenser.)
Custom Audiosounds stereo and remote 5 disk CD changer, 2 50 watt speakers custom in doors, 2 Audiosound replacement IN DASH speakers, and RCA wires and Power cable ran for subs and amp in HUGE CAVERNOUS trunk.
MANY new and extra parts (please see list).
. WELL MAINTAINED.
Needs minor cosmetic work
Subs and amp/ stereo 2 x 10 Planet audio subsW/Box 300 W Planet audio amp. TITE! sounding lots of low end, but not obnoxious.
MODIFICATIONS:
JACOBS electronic ignition
Removed power windows replaced with cranks
(They are just too damn expensive to replace but I have them in working order in storage).
Silicone brake fluid
New or rebuilt parts list:
Engine rebuild has aprox 26,800 mls since 1995
Trans rebuilt has 8,000 mls since1999.
4 BBL carb AUTOLITE rebuilt 1999
Rear center diff and drive spline rebuilt 1999
New universal joints in 2000
Tie rods and linkage balljoints 1999
Shocks & struts F/R all 2000
Ignition switch 2000
Plugs and wires rotor and cap 2000
New radiator in 2001 also uses Dexcool now.
4 piston calipers rebulit in 2001, Brakes in 2001, New brake booster 2001, Brake lines ALL in 2000
Fuel lines ALL in 2000, Fuel tank level sensor 2001
Fuel sending unit in 2002
Front quarter panels 2001
Hi -fi audio system 2002
Original clock. 2002
Replaced sequential turn signal unit 2002
Gear select detent 2002
Headliners 2000 2001 2002... fer the second time. ( they just wont stay up ! ARGGGH !
New floor carpet 2002 (hence it is still unattached)
Washer squirter motor 2002
Heater core ( fixed for leak 2002)
Lower controll arm bushings 2002

TO BE DONE soon:
EXHAUST from wheel hump to mufflers 2003 ( I kieked off the one muffler... lol)
NEEDS TO BE DONE FOR FULL RESTORATION or soon lol.
rear axle inner seals.... (again) ARGH ! and bearings ( I have parts)
speedo cable driven gear ( reattachment).
reverse lamp neutral safety (reverse) switch on trans.
weather stripping
Vinyl top
rechrome front bumper
trunk liner 129.99 at www.larry'sT-birds.com
front seat cushion Driver side
vaccume E-brake and TRUNK switch automatic release ( not important as the dash release works well)
power antenna retrofit (if you want it)
Lower 1/2 Rear quarter repair and a ding in L front quarter
Drivers mirror is loose.
LOW FUEL LIGHT
Door AJAR Ding (was sooooo annoying, so I disconnected it while doing repairs)

Custom paint.
Its all easy stuff, I just dont have the time to work on it anymore as I need to "grow up" and stop being
a 26 year old kid .... as my parents said..... LOL ! "hair cut and a real job time".. crap.

http://img1.ranchoweb.com/images/espi/car32F4shot.jpg My T-BIRD
http://img.ranchoweb.com/images/espi/imgc6hd.jpg
http://img.ranchoweb.com/images/espi/imgdash.jpg
http://img.ranchoweb.com/images/espi/imgddiverdoor.jpg
http://img.ranchoweb.com/images/espi/imginterior.jpg
http://img.ranchoweb.com/images/espi/imginteriorrear.jpg

benswolf_1
05-13-2004, 06:43 PM
What would u say-i have the choice of a 62, 65 or 66 thunderbird? What are the ups and downs of em? Thanks

RavenProjecT
05-16-2004, 02:05 PM
right on, a flair bird thread. . . . I have a 65 myself, had it for over 7 years and is approximately 90-95% factory resto (NOS parts are a bitch a come across for these cars). For "Benswolf_1" I would say go for a 65, but then again I am a little biased, LOL, or if you can find a convertible, BUY IT!

My Bird has >65,000 original miles on it's 390 with a 3-spd "Cruise-O-Matic" tranny, and 4bbl autolite carb I rebuilt (kit cost like $75). Replaced old 64 hubcaps with 72 wire caps instead (the 65 hubs look like ass). Bird is not Landau, but had ALL power options incl. windows (4), doorlocks, AC, AM radio (gotta love the oldies, lol), retractable radio antenna, tilt-away "fat-man" steering wheel, and front power-disc brakes, etc. The window motors are finally on the way out, and will rather buy new ones than rebuild/replace worn gears (too much hassle). Car color code was originally "Wimbledon White" but has since been repainted two-tone with Wimbledon top and "Tahoe Turqoise" body with light blue interior. Only real mod to car is a Pertronix electronic distributer (messing with points all the time is retarded), and Bosch platinum+ plugs and wires. Other than that, it's all original.

For an updated electronic sequential turn signal unit (replacing old mechanical unit), go to:
www.thuntek.net-cougars_unlimited-Catalog03_retail.PDF

for other parts go to:
www.wilsontbird.com/index.htm
www.tbirdranch.com (John Draxler, great resource)
www.tbirdparts.com (Jerry Wortel, #1 guy for parts), you can also try the 800# for a a catalog ($2) = 800-232-6378.

Jerry's catalog is the first place I go for NOS parts unless a local dismantler calls me to let me know he's got something, lol to 'pick-n-pull' I go. . . Jerry was the only one to have a 'Brake Proportioning Valve' anywhere. Also he has complete kits for shift lever wear problems (leading to slipping out of gear from P or R).

Add your comment to this topic!