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2012 Shannons Melbourne Summer Classic Auction
Lot
32

1965 Ford Thunderbird Coupe (LHD)

$9,600

Sold

Specifications

Engine 390cu V-8
Gearbox 3-Speed Automatic
Body Work Coupe
Colour Diamond White
Interior Blue
Trim Velour
Wheels Steel Disc
Brakes Drums

Description

This lot is no longer available

Ford's Thunderbird series was the ultimate in personal luxury cars, with the first generation cars of 1955-1957 designed to compete with Chevrolet's Corvette before expanding into chrome-laden behemoths - known as 'Square Birds' - in 1958. Ford totally redesigned the Thunderbird for 1961, releasing a car with fresh styling that was longer, lower, wider and much better looking. For 1964 the fourth-generation T-Bird was introduced. Again restyled, the latest car had a squarer appearance though it retained a similar frontal treatment to its predecessor. The latest car could still be had as a hardtop coupe or convertible, with the vinyl-roofed 'Landau' hardtop option also being carried over. Smooth riding, soft suspension settings combined with a comfortable, spacious interior to further enhance the 'personal luxury' theme found in the first Thunderbirds, while a 300bhp version of the 390ci big-block remained as the standard engine. A higher compression version offering 330bhp was available as an option, and both were paired with the three-speed automatic transmission as standard- a perfect combination for boulevard cruising.