OT: My "Polar Silver" 1964 Thunderbird
05-14-2008, 07:57 PM
#1
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OT: My "Polar Silver" 1964 Thunderbird
OK, it's not really Polar Silver, but it is Silver Mink Metallic. Like Polar Silver, it has a touch of blue in it, and this was the car's original color back in 1964.
When I did my introduction to the board a few weeks ago, I mentioned I owned this 1964 Ford Thunderbird Sports Roadster. Aside from a paint job about 15 years ago, the car is all original, except I rebuilt the top end (sound familiar 993 owners? LOL). Power comes from a 6.4L 4bbl. V8, putting out 300 horses straight from the factory. I added an Edelbrock intake manifold, carburetor, upgraded camshaft, valve lifters, valve covers, etc. and I also modified the exhaust so that it would breathe a little easier. Now the car puts out about 360 horses and gets all of about 8mpg. Take that, hybrid drivers!
Anyway, a few folks asked for some pics, and today was a terrific day to take the Bird for a spin and grab a few shots. Enjoy!
When I did my introduction to the board a few weeks ago, I mentioned I owned this 1964 Ford Thunderbird Sports Roadster. Aside from a paint job about 15 years ago, the car is all original, except I rebuilt the top end (sound familiar 993 owners? LOL). Power comes from a 6.4L 4bbl. V8, putting out 300 horses straight from the factory. I added an Edelbrock intake manifold, carburetor, upgraded camshaft, valve lifters, valve covers, etc. and I also modified the exhaust so that it would breathe a little easier. Now the car puts out about 360 horses and gets all of about 8mpg. Take that, hybrid drivers!
Anyway, a few folks asked for some pics, and today was a terrific day to take the Bird for a spin and grab a few shots. Enjoy!
05-14-2008, 08:25 PM
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Nice 'Bird, Philip. Does that have the sequential taillight blinkers or was that just '65-'66?
My dad had a 390 in his '72 F100 with 3 on the tree. Healthy mill...35 just in first gear!
I followed suit by rebuilding a '65 Mustang in high school and college. Now I find those too damn small and would love something a bit bigger yet still classic that I could put the whole family in. An early Chevelle with a 350 crate and 700R4 would be great. Fairlane might work, too, but they're almost as much as a Chevelle!
My dad had a 390 in his '72 F100 with 3 on the tree. Healthy mill...35 just in first gear!
I followed suit by rebuilding a '65 Mustang in high school and college. Now I find those too damn small and would love something a bit bigger yet still classic that I could put the whole family in. An early Chevelle with a 350 crate and 700R4 would be great. Fairlane might work, too, but they're almost as much as a Chevelle!
05-14-2008, 09:13 PM
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Hey Chuck, no, the sequentials made their debut in the '65s, alas. Thought about adding them; as I'm sure you know, there's a slippery slope on these old American beasts as well!
Yeah, the 390 is a solid engine. I've had this car for about 10 years now; it's great to pile friends in for a day at the beach. A friend of mine was having a baby and wanted to get rid of it. Seeing the trunk open clam-shell style all the way up to full verticle and watching the rest of the show as the top disappeared into the back, and I was hooked. There's no fool like a car fool haha.
Yeah, the 390 is a solid engine. I've had this car for about 10 years now; it's great to pile friends in for a day at the beach. A friend of mine was having a baby and wanted to get rid of it. Seeing the trunk open clam-shell style all the way up to full verticle and watching the rest of the show as the top disappeared into the back, and I was hooked. There's no fool like a car fool haha.
05-14-2008, 09:38 PM
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05-14-2008, 10:19 PM
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Hey Chuck, no, the sequentials made their debut in the '65s, alas. Thought about adding them; as I'm sure you know, there's a slippery slope on these old American beasts as well!
Yeah, the 390 is a solid engine. I've had this car for about 10 years now; it's great to pile friends in for a day at the beach. A friend of mine was having a baby and wanted to get rid of it. Seeing the trunk open clam-shell style all the way up to full verticle and watching the rest of the show as the top disappeared into the back, and I was hooked. There's no fool like a car fool haha.
Yeah, the 390 is a solid engine. I've had this car for about 10 years now; it's great to pile friends in for a day at the beach. A friend of mine was having a baby and wanted to get rid of it. Seeing the trunk open clam-shell style all the way up to full verticle and watching the rest of the show as the top disappeared into the back, and I was hooked. There's no fool like a car fool haha.
Last edited by dcdude; 05-16-2008 at 01:49 AM.
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05-15-2008, 12:06 AM
#9
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Awesome; thanks for sharing! My favourite along with the '61-63 convertible (with the tonneau cover). 
I used to have a '67 T-Bird two door tin top (pale yellow exterior with white interior) - no vinyl roof - with a 390 cubic inch V8 ! Totally different body style, but still retained some of the characteristics of the earlier model, e.g. you could still take it apart with a screwdriver. Sequential lights looked cool but also a PITA - I rebuilt the relay several times (electric motors, gears... you get the picture). Ditto for for most other 'features' - I was just lucky becuase all the vacuum lines were still good & thus everything worked. Sold it once I was going to school & paying heaps to gas it up (car itself was perfect & once in a while I would see it being driven around town ).
Starting in '68 Ford seemed to switch to more 'modern' assembly methods, e.g. snap-fit interior pieces, and before you know it they started barfing out opera windows & other frippery.
I used to have a '67 T-Bird two door tin top (pale yellow exterior with white interior) - no vinyl roof - with a 390 cubic inch V8 ! Totally different body style, but still retained some of the characteristics of the earlier model, e.g. you could still take it apart with a screwdriver. Sequential lights looked cool but also a PITA - I rebuilt the relay several times (electric motors, gears... you get the picture). Ditto for for most other 'features' - I was just lucky becuase all the vacuum lines were still good & thus everything worked. Sold it once I was going to school & paying heaps to gas it up (car itself was perfect & once in a while I would see it being driven around town ).Starting in '68 Ford seemed to switch to more 'modern' assembly methods, e.g. snap-fit interior pieces, and before you know it they started barfing out opera windows & other frippery.
05-15-2008, 10:44 AM
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excellent car - thanks for the pics. That model is one of my faves. I keep thinking about buying one but I have the old "where to store it" problem. Storage lift anyone? 
