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1965 Ford Thunderbird Hardtop - California Native

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This amazing Thunderbird represents an era of the American automobile when one could enjoy uncompromising design, engineering and true style! The sales literature for the model invites to you be "Unique in All the World" and the Thunderbird answered the call then and still does today!

This particular Thunderbird is a beautiful example of the marque. Over the years it has been lovingly cared for and preserved. The car is a California native! Sold new in Dixon, California, the car has spent its entire life in the dry climate of the Golden State. The body is straight and the painted finish looks terrific! The exterior chrome and stainless trim shine brightly. The car was refinished in 2008 in its factory Wimbledon White (Code M) and it still presents very nicely.

The Thunderbird interior is amazing to behold not only because of its style and color, but its condition as well. The front seats have been recovered and the door panels replaced with materials that match the factory issue. The rear seat isoriginal. The carpeting has also been replaced with a correct kit. The trunk is in great shape as well having been restored using correct materials. The period luggage (pictured) is includedwiththecar. The industrial design of the 1965 Thunderbird transports you with its futuristic aircraft style. All the floating gauges, switches and levers operate as they should(except the oil pressuregauge)including the distinct thermometer-style speedometer. The car is equipped with a "Swing-Away" steering wheel making entry and exit easier. Also this 1965 model sports the iconic sequential rear directional signals and they work perfectly!

The car is equipped with a factory air conditioning system that has been upgraded and converted to 134A.It is a dash-integrated system and not an aftermarket add-on. The AC blows cold just as it should. An aftermarket Thunderbird-style AM/FM stereo cassette was installed in 2013 and included a trunk-mounted amplifier and speakers. The system sounds pretty darn good!

Under the hood is Ford's 390 cubic inch "Thunderbird Special" V-8 engine that was rated at 300 horsepower and is equipped with a "Merc-o-Matic" 3-speed transmission. The car currently shows just over 24,000 on the odometer but based on documentation I believe the actual mileage to be just over 124,000 miles.The car starts up and idles nicely. The transmission shifts smoothly without hesitation and the engine powers the car easily down the road. Power-assisted steering has a nice feel but still allows for the "one-finger" approach to turning - when appropriate. The power-assisted brakes are operating normally and it is important to note that for '65 front disc brakes were standard equipment. You can feel that this car was engineered for luxury and comfort whether driving in-town or on the interstate.

Thousand and thousands of dollars have been spent over the years preserving this car. It all amounts to is a light restoration. I have two folders filled with receipts for the work that has been performed and all that meticulous documentation goes with the car.

A majority of the work was done around 2006 and 2009. Work done over the year includes but is not limited to:

-Complete air conditioner system upgrade

-Complete repaint retaining factory color

-Rebuild steering box

-Rebuild shift lever

-Complete rear-end rebuild

-New brake master cylinder

-Transmission overhaul (2002)

-Engine rebuild

-New wheel cylinders, calipers, rotors pads and shoes

-New brake vacuum booster

-New distributor

-Electronic ignition installed

-Rebuild front suspension

-New mufflers and rear resonators

-New engine and transmission mounts

-New power steering pump

-New U-joints and balanced driveshaft

-New font and rear wheel bearings

-New interior including seat covers, door panels and carpets

-New trunk kit

-New fuel tank

-Audio system upgrade including the head unit, amp and speakers

Thanks to all the work that has been done car drives and rides much like it must have in 1965. Perhaps the closest you'll get to time travel these days. This Thunderbird currently rides on Diamondback radial tires that sport red and white striped sidewalls similar to what was offered as an option when the car was new.

Why am I selling such a great car? I love this car and have enjoyed driving it and sharing it but space and time constraints force me to let it go. It's time for its next caretaker.

Finer Details:

This car is more than 50 years old so there are a few things that aren't perfect. I don't want there to be any disappointments with the car so please read over this carefully. Ask any questions before bidding and the end of the auction.

- Heater core is currently not installed in the car. Because of where I live and use the car - I have never taken the time to sort it out. It was leaking from a past repair. A new replacement heater core is included with the sale.

- The rear power windows are currently not working.

-The oil pressuregauge reads low but I have had the carevaluated and it is thegauge, not the engine.

- Peeling back the steering wheel cover shows the original material is aged and crazed.

Hagerty values this car in Excellent (#2) condition at $17,490 and Concours (#1) at $23,760. I have set a veryreasonable reserve and a buy-it-now price if you don't want to wait until the end of the auction.

This is a great opportunity to possess a bit of that time when luxury automobiles were truly special and made a statement about their owners. This 1965 Thunderbird is a beautiful example that you can enjoy with pride and share with others.

Terms:

I am not the owner of the car - I am selling it here for a friend. He has clear title and we are more than willing to answer any questions you might have about the car.

This car is in amazing condition - however it is a 52 year old automobile that has been driven and enjoyed. We have done our best to represent it accurately. The winner of the auction is purchasing it as-is - no warranty is offered. The buyer is responsible for local pick-up and/or transport of the vehicle. We reserve the right to end the auction early as the car is for sale locally. Payment should be a bank-issued cashier's check or wire transfer. A $500 deposit is due within 24 hours after the auction. Balance must be settled within 7 days. Please ask all questions before the auction ends.

Payment should be a bank-issued cashier's check or wire transfer. A $500 deposit is due within 24 hours after the auction. Balance must be settled within 7 days.

On Oct-02-17 at 10:33:15 PDT, seller added the following information:

My mistake... of course the transmission in this car is a "Cruise-O-Matic" not a "Merc-O-Matic" as stated.

• Condition: Used
• Make: Ford
• Model: Thunderbird
• SubModel: Hardtop
• Type: Coupe
• Trim: Hardtop - California Native
• Year: 1965
• Mileage: 124,134
• VIN: 5Y83Z169926
• Color: Wimbledon White
• Engine size: 390 cu in 300 hp Thunderbird Special V-8
• Number of cylinders: 8
• Power options: Power Front Disc Brakes, Power Steering, Air Conditioning, Power Locks, Power Windows, Power Seats
• Fuel: Gasoline
• Transmission: Cruise-O-Matic
• Drive type: RWD
• Interior color: Turquoise
• Drive side: Left-hand drive
• Safety options: Sequential Turn Signals
• Options: Swing-Away Steering Wheel, Cassette Player
• Vehicle Title: Clear
Want to buy? Contact seller!