Hi everyone. I just joined the list. Just what I was looking for. I'm in the market for a good condition driver '65 model. Can some of you with experience on the '64-'66 models give some advice on what important areas I should look at on the car related to problem areas such as particular rust prone areas? All advice is appreciated. Thanks.

Welcome to the site. Rather than describe all the problem areas, I suggest you go to the website for Classic Sheetmetal in N.C. (also a link throught the Thunderbird Ranch site). See all those replacement pieces they offer for the '64-66? They pretty well describe what you might find in a car.

Pieces they don't have and you need to check out are the braces for the panels at the rear of the car. A body shop can fabricate but time is money.

Shock towers seem not to be a routine problem but check the car you are buying. Check the frame rails in the rear of the car. Again, these can be fabricated easily but should reduce the price of a car if they are close to shot.

If you are looking for a convertible, a major problem is the piece called the package tray. This is the part the back of the top attaches to and is in place behind the rear seat when the top is up. The constant exposure to weather and the mix of various metals and materials at one place cause these things to rust badly. Finding one in good condition is VERY difficult. There are fiberglass replacements. Talk with John Draxler or post here to get experiences. I hear the current replacements are decent but don't know.

The deck lid on a convertible can also be bad but those seem easier to find.

Have fun.

I highly recommend joining a Thunderbird club, attend some meetings and ask questions. A club, I think, can be about the best way to educate oneself about a specific year and make of car. Good choice ('65 Thunderbird). I have 3 of them. Good Luck!
Randy Mattson
Forest Lake, MN

Thanks for the information Vince and Randy. My parents had a '65 when I was in high school and learned to drive on it. Took it to the prom. I've thought about getting one and reliving the past if I found a good one for a reasonable amount of money. I remember when we went to the dealer and ordered it. Hardtop, champaigne beige with a white roof and white interior, reclining passenger seat, red line tires, fender skirts, and posi traction axle. I'm certain of the color because I remember chantilly beige was a similar color, but champaigne beige was a very slight shade darker and we were deciding on which one. The color code isn't listed on the decode list though. Its interesting also that all the cars I see listed have open axles. Was the posi traction axle rare? I asked about the rust issue, because I seem to remember rust developing around the lower rear fenders around the fender skirts. This was in western Pennsylvania though with all the salt used in the winter.

You've got that right. It seems the most common area to find rust is around the rear tires and lower rear quarter panel. Also look under and behind the rocker panels. That's where my convertible began to rust.

'65's my favorite year too. Keep an eye on the rear drain cowl. I've seen often (not very frequest) these drain tubes rust out and the only repair is manual or off a parts car. No after-market is available yet (that I've found).

I have a 65 bird and love it. I am having a lot of vaccum problems, nothing vaccum works like heat, a/c rear vent, brake release ect. There are three hoses coming out of the firewall and they are plugged with screws, I would like to know where they go.. Besides that I totally love the car, it's like new in every way..Thanks,, Ron thunder66@comcast.net