1966 Ford Thunderbird

Thanks to a carefully curated provenance archive, we know a good deal about the background of our example, considering it is now 58 years old. The car was supplied to its first lucky owner by Heywood Ford of Worcester, Massachusetts in April 1966. The thoughtful owner had specified a number of useful extras for their Thunderbird including leather trim, power windows and vents, a power driver’s seat, and tinted glass. In a somewhat poignant foot note Heywood Ford puts eights gallons of gas in the Thunderbird’s tank for the new owner. The cost in 1966? $2.40!

From there we can pick up the trail again in 1990. By this stage the Thunderbird had made its way to England’s shores and was first registered here in June of that year. At its first MoT of the same month a mileage of 65,931 was recorded and the test was passed with no advisories. From that point until 1995 the big Ford underwent a thorough restoration with all facets of the car considered, be they mechanical of aesthetic.

By 2016 the car was in the stewardship of its second UK owner who kept it until January 2021, at which point it had covered around 80,000 miles. The Thunderbird passed between two owners in 2021 with the second of these keeping the car until March 2023. At that point current owner acquired the car to become the sixth UK keeper.

The vendor is an American car enthusiast and connoisseur and well known in collector and club circles. She is known for only owning the best cars available with the right history and in the highest levels of originality and condition. With paperwork on hand documenting around a whopping £40,000 spent on this charming car since its arrival in the UK, we can certainly see what caught her discerning eye!

This superb-looking example is presented in Wimbledon White which is certainly more of an off-white than would have passed muster in Tim Henman’s kit bag. This is noted as the shade the car left the factory wearing, although some paintwork has inevitably been undertaken in the interim.

This fourth-generation car cuts a svelte figure and is neither as big nor as brash as the words “1966 Thunderbird” may lead you to first imagine. It’s a handsome and grown-up looking car that one could easily imagine gracing the sweeping drives of the colonial style mansions in the Hollywood hills.

The paintwork looks to be in an excellent overall condition with a smooth and appropriately thick finish in evidence throughout. A high degree of lustrous shine is noted from all the panels. The bodywork looks equally well presented with panel gaps looking tight and symmetrical for a car approaching 60 years old.

The rear profile of the Thunderbird is a particularly pleasing aspect. The full width rear panel features a “pinched” centre section which mirrors the furrow in the boot (or trunk) lid. And if you think the sequentially flashing indicator is a bit of Vorsprung Durch Technik, then think again. The ’66 Thunderbird had it first with three bulbs sequentially lighting from the inside to the outside of the big lens.

For a 1960s American car, the Thunderbird was relatively restrained in its use of chrome. This chrome appears bright and shiny throughout. The brightwork extends to distinctive “roulette wheel” chromed wheel trims. These are embossed with the Thunderbird name and are centred with the famous spread-eagled emblem. The 16-inch steel wheels are fitted with a matching set of 215/75 radial tyres. These are white walled and appear to retain healthy levels of tread.

Compared to the relatively conservative exterior of the 1966 Thunderbird, the interior looks like the design team were given free reign with the Rotring pens. On opening the wide doors, a glorious sea of scarlet and chrome washes over you. It is the perfect, and much welcomed antidote to the black-on-black studies in minimalism that we see so often in today’s cars. It is awash with charming period detail.

It's impossible not to start with the quite unique horizontal speedometer. Looking like something straight out of the Jetsons, the oversized numbers light up in sequence as the nominated speed is reached. Below this sit four bubble gauges monitoring, in sequence, oil, fuel, temperature and amps. These sit behind a deeply dished twin spoke steering wheel finished in... bright scarlet of course.

The shapely leather seats look appropriately spacecraft ready, too. They are edged with chunky chromed trim pieces and there are electric controls on the left of the driver’s seat. The faces are exquisitely panelled in a mix of vertical and horizontal padded box pleats. These seats fold forward to provide access to the two individual rear seats. These curve round to cosset the occupants and are separated by the transmission tunnel and folding centre armrest. It is a period correct and charming environment that wouldn’t look out of place with Jane Fonda as Barbarella lounging in it. 

The door cards are finished in a combination of box pleated red vinyl, red Berber carpet and chromed accent panels. Thunderbird emblazoned heavy duty rubber mats are currently fitted. The sizeable “trunk” is fitted with a hardwearing grey carpet and provides a home for the spare wheel, jack, and tools.

This Thunderbird is fitted with the 390 cubic inch, FE V8 engine which was specified for the 1966 model year. In this instance it is mated to the three speed and delightfully named Cruise-O-Matic MX automatic gearbox. In this configuration the big V8 was originally rated at 315bhp giving the Ford a surprisingly impressive turn of speed given its relative size and cruiser persona.

Despite the sizeable real estate occupied by the FE V8, there is plenty of room around it in this generously proportioned engine bay. Perhaps unsurprisingly it presents very well with the inner panels looking clean, solid, and well painted. A large, Ford blue air cleaner cover sits centrally to give the engine a typically American muscle car look. A plethora of period details predominate from the period looking stickers and plates to the Thunderbird branded washer fluid pouch. The underside of the Thunderbird looks to be in an excellent overall condition with no significant dents or corrosion in evidence. There is plenty of preservative treatment remaining in evidence together with many new and recent looking components. 

We will go on to see the fastidious and “no expense spared” way in which this Thunderbird has been restored and maintained, next. As a result, no known mechanical issues were noted or reported.

The Thunderbird comes with a huge and fascinating archive of associated paperwork. The Thunderbird’s trunk-worth of ephemera includes the current V5 in the name of the current owner. This classifies the Thunderbird as an Historic Vehicle and so is considered as MoT and VED exempt in the UK. Despite this the car held an advisory free MoT which expired October 2021.

Other paperwork highlights include the original bill of sale, 1966 hard backed workshop manual, period body and interior assembly manual, 1966 specification and feature manual and Thunderbird owner’s manual. There is also an original instruction manual for the Autosound head unit.

The remainder of the archive consists of a virtual ream of correspondence and invoices. Well over £40,000 worth of invoices are on hand detailing the earlier restoration and subsequent expenditure since 1990. The work includes engine, body and interior work and the most recent document a new wiper motor and new Pitman arm in 2023 and 2024 respectively.

Ford Thunderbirds are an iconic American model, originally hailing from the exuberant heyday of the automotive industry in the heady post- World War Two era. By the mid 1960s the cars had become sophisticated and mature and are now sought after for their road presence, relaxed luxurious demeanour and robust and powerful V8 powertrains.

This example is surely hard to beat in terms of fourth-generation cars available today. Its provenance is flawless, and its overall condition and level of presentation appears first class. As for that wacky but delightful interior, well that deserves a listing all of its own! Those in the know will appreciate this car for what it is – a vanishingly rare and exciting ownership opportunity.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located with the vendor in Sutton St Edmund, Lincolnshire. Viewings are strictly by appointment. To make a booking, please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.