1964 Ford Thunderbird
Squared-off formal styling replaced the previous generation’s rocket-ship aesthetics when Ford introduced its fourth-generation personal luxury coupe for 1964.
Deeply sculptured sides and prominent rectangular tail lights integrated into the rear bumper and gave the redesigned model a distinctive appearance, produced through 1966 at Ford’s Wixom, Michigan facility alongside the Lincoln Continental.
A 390 cubic inch overhead-valve V8 producing 300 horsepower at 4,600 rpm provided motivation through a Cruise-O-Matic three-speed automatic transmission, the only gearbox offered.
The 113.2-inch wheelbase supported unibody construction with independent front suspension using unequal-length control arms and coil springs, plus a live rear axle on semi-elliptic leaf springs.
Four-wheel drum brakes were standard for 1964, while the interior featured enveloping bucket seats and a swing-away retractable steering wheel surrounded by an array of controls and instruments.
Ford sold 92,465 units during the 1964 model year, representing nearly 50 percent growth over 1963 production.
Sequential turn signals intended for the program were introduced on the Thunderbird for 1965, after regulatory concerns delayed their appearance on the 1964 models.
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