Hope not to ruffle any feathers on the date of the cars years in question not being H.A.M.B. friendly. There doesn't seam to be many out there (coupes)that have been hot rodded or resto-modded. A few, most are stock restorations. Are these cars not desirable to have? Are they all ww's and spokes only? Kids have taken a shinning to one, never thought of even having this type of car, but I'm into what my sprouts are. Thanks for anything anyone can add. Really not a spoke kinda person or billet wheels.
The body style dates to 1964, and the 428 became available in 1966. I like them with chrome reversed wheels myself. That is from a former Whitehall resident Got any pictures?
Try painted steel wheels, wide whites from late fifties, and caddy sombrero hubcaps. Remove the skirts and you have a nice cruiser. I have a '66 that has been in the family since new. Sorry, no pics.
Haven't drug it home just yet, still in the should I do it phase. . On the fence never thought about T-birds before. White/390cid/Silver Mink interior another drawback for me as far as astettics is it's a coupe no back side window. Just not a custom guy I guess, anyone have hot rodded 60' s pictures hidden away? None on the web I've found. -Thanks
I built a cool 66 landau coupe 30 or more years ago. I think that's what it was called, 3 window, no vinyl, no "S" bar on the sail. Lowered a tad, magnum 500 rims, TA's, maroon red (go figure) black guts. I remember the KH brake calipers up front giving me fits on those rimes, had to mod the lower chin panel under the front bumper for clearance to run spacers. I also ran the exhaust out the valance panel through a set of mustang GT trims. Great interiors, accessories, swing away wheel, aircraft style controls, distinctive styling. Sort of the Ford answer to the Rivvy.
www.vintagethunderbirdclub.net - go to their Forum and look through the 1964-1966 Modified/Custom Thunderbirds section http://www.vintagethunderbirdclub.net/phpBB3/viewforum.php?f=25 May not all be HAMB-friendly but you'll run across people doing things to this generation of 'Bird.
I've been wanting to hot rod one of those for awhile. Well, probably too heavy to be much of a hot rod but still, stance, mag wheels, big tires in back, some type of big torque motor to pull that weight around. I think it could be killer for a cruiser. Great interior. The lower line with the 1/4 windows look better IMHO. Just gotta lose the skirts!
The main reason for the selection of this "Bird" is my kids have followed me for years in my hobbies, now it's time to follow them to stay close. .thanks for everyone's direction . Thanks "Yutan"
I have a black 65 coupe with aluminum heads and intake, Comp cam, Holley fuel injection with Sniper ignition, FPA headers (with major fitment issues), aluminum radiator, dual electric fans, Ride Tech airbags on all corners, they don't work at all with factory exhaust system but they don't tell you that when selling them to you and I like the factory layout, Fatman 2.5" dropped spindles (had to pay a machinist to rectify their tie rod boss, and that was after they sent me a second pair), The factory disc won't clear the aftermarket rims and the only way that I could figure out how to mount AM calipers was to buy the Fatman dropped spindles. So now I have Wilwood calipers on all four corners. Eaton 2.5" dropped rear springs (4 months lead time). Upgraded power steering pump and AC compressor. Ordering up 18" American Racing wheels. I haven't decided on VN 510 or their 427 wheels or what width, hoping 18 x 10 will work on the rear. New factory cloth interior. I haven't looked at my bank balance in quite some time, but it's got to be ugly. With all the above mods I suspect I've lost a few hundred pounds and it should be a fun car but definitely not an autocrosser.
I'm shy on garage space, but came close to getting a nice '62 before covid hit the fan in 2020. I also dig the '64 to '66 Birds.
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