Ford · 1964–1966

Ford Thunderbird fourth generation

The fourth generation Ford Thunderbird is a large personal luxury car produced by Ford for the 1964 to 1966 model years. Ford restyled this generation of the Thunderbird in favor of a more squared-off, "formal" look. The only remnant of the Thunderbird's former sporty image was that the standard 390-cubic-inch 300 hp (224 kW) V8 engine needed nearly 11 seconds to push the heavy T-bird to 60 mph (97 km/h). The softly sprung suspension allowed considerable body lean, wallow, and float on curves and bumps. Contemporary testers felt that the Buick Riviera, Pontiac Grand Prix, and Chrysler 300K were substantially more roadworthy cars, but the Thunderbird retained its leading market share.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Predecessor: Ford Thunderbird (third generation) · Successor: Ford Thunderbird (fifth generation)

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Models

The revised model was initially offered as a hardtop, convertible, and Landau, with vinyl roof, simulated landau irons, and wood grain interior appointments. The Sports Roadster was discontinued for this generation, however, a dealer offered convertible tonneau cover and wire wheels option was still available. Total 1964 sales were excellent at 92,465 units, up nearly fifty percent from the previous year. Still, the popularity of the tonneau cover and wire wheel options continued to decline, with very few being sold. The 1964 Thunderbird was the only model of this generation to have the word 'Thunderbird' spelled out on the front hood instead of a chrome Thunderbird emblem. The only transmission available was the Cruise-O-Matic MX 3 speed automatic. The listed retail price for the 1964 two-door hardtop coupe was US$4,486 ($46,569 in 2025 dollars ), Several features intended for the new generation were delayed until 1965, when front disc brakes became standard equipment and sequential turn signals which flashed three bulbs in the broad, horizontal tail lights from inside to outside were added; the latter had been delayed by vehicle lighting regulations in the United States. Exterior trim was revised, including a new grille, Thunderbird emblem replacing the block letters on the front edge of the hood, simulated front fender vent trim, revised Thunderbird scripts now located on the rear edge of the quarter panels, and revised taillight lens trim and a single center emblem replacing the dual lens birds and block letters respectively. The popular "Tilt-Away" steering column continued, and was a Thunderbird recognized feature that was later shared on other upper-level Ford Products. Sales, impacted by increasing competition, including cannibalism by Ford's own newly introduc

Films and popular culture

A black 1964 Thunderbird convertible had a notable role in the TV series Highlander: The Series as protagonist Duncan Macleod’s main mode of transportation. A white 1964 Thunderbird convertible was used by Felix Leiter in a chase scene in the 1964 James Bond film Goldfinger, starring Sean Connery. Another appears briefly in the 1965 James Bond film Thunderball. A Convertible 1964 Thunderbird appears in the Twilight Zone episode, "Come Wander With Me", starring Gary Crosby. In 1965, an Episode of the TV Show "Hazel" (S4, E16) had 2 similar-looking Thunderbirds, a 1964 and a 1965, which caused some confusion during the show. In reality, the 1964 and 1965 Thunderbirds were distinctive enough to not allow confusion, but the 1965 was the first Year of the 2-sided Key, which was completely different from the 1964. A gold 1966 Town Landau was driven by Dean Martin as Matt Helm in the 1966 film Murderers' Row. It featured several gadgets including the ability to display a scrolling message which ran across the tail-lights. The driver could dictate what they wanted to appear there into a microphone. A green 1966 Thunderbird convertible was prominently featured in the 1991 road film Thelma and Louise, starring Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis, a red 1966 Thunderbird convertible was featured in the 1983 film The Outsiders which was directed by Francis Ford Coppola, and a black 1965 Thunderbird Convertible was featured in the David Lynch film Wild at Heart, starring Nicolas Cage and Laura Dern. A black 1965 Thunderbird Landau was featured at the start of the Nintendo Power video N64: Change the System. It was shown transporting the three gamers to Nintendo of America headquarters for a first-hand sneak preview of Nintendo 64.

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Specifications

name: Ford Thunderbird, Fourth Generation
Production: 1964–1966
Class: Personal luxury car
Assembly: United States: Wixom Assembly Plant, Wixom, Michigan
Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Layout: Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive
Predecessor: Ford Thunderbird (third generation)
Successor: Ford Thunderbird (fifth generation)
Body style: 2-door hardtop coupe, 2-door landau, 2-door convertible
Engine: 390 cuin FE V8, 427 cuin FE V8 (Not a factory option, but a dealer installed option.), 428 cuin FE V8
Transmission: 3-speed Cruise-O Matic MX automatic, 3-speed Ford C6 automatic