New member & car - '66 Town Hardtop

[TbirdIntender]

I'm happy to say, I'm no longer just an intender to T-bird ownership, but I've caught my 'Bird!

I have some decent history on it, and it looks like I'm the third owner. Apparently the first owner or first owner's family kept it 40 years, titling it new in late '65 and transferring title to the second owner in '05. I just bought it from him. The paper trail indicates that the mileage at just over 68,000 is accurate.

I'm not sure what maintenance the first owners did, but I'm suspecting they must have done paint and upholstery, as they look great and I just don't think 50+ year old stuff still would. The second owner rebuilt the engine.

So it looks like mainly what I have to deal with is some small stuff like a wonky window and vacuum line issues.

I've submitted my membership application and look forward to joining the community here.

[john6t6]

Congrats & welcome. Very nice bird

[Scott6T6]

Sapphire Blue. A Thunderbird exclusive paint color in 1966. Very nice! Welcome.

[TbirdIntender]

Thanks, gentlemen, and Scott6T6, particular thanks for the tip on the paint color.

I browsed somewhere over 100 cars on the net while I was shopping, and never saw another one in this color. So I figured either it was rare or else the first owner chose a nonstandard paint. I'm totally taken with the color and am glad to know it's a real T-bird correct one.

[DakotaLee]

Beautiful bird!!! I hope my town hardtop will look as good as yours one day.

This model has quite it's fair share of quirks, you're gonna have a great time! Welcome, and enjoy!

[mnpetri]

looks like a gorgeous car - great find, and welcome aboard.

[Scott6T6]

If you'd like to verify the original factory paint color, check out the drivers door data plate. Note the letter stamped in the plate above COLOR. "G" is the code for Sapphire Blue.
It sure looks like Sapphire Blue to me in your photo, but I will admit on a monitor that can sometimes be deceptive. If your Thunderbird has been repainted and the color wasn't changed, I'd say they went with the original factory color or a hue that is very similar.

[Scott6T6]

If you'd like to verify what color your car was painted at the factory, take a look at the DATA PLATE on the drivers door lock face. Note the letter stamped into the plate above COLOR. "G" is the letter code for Sapphire Blue.

[TbirdIntender]

Thanks for the paint code tip, Scott6T6. G is exactly what mine has. Before this, I was a little uncertain between Brittany Blue and Sapphire Blue, but it's definitely Sapphire.

I've also been able to get the original invoice from the MartiAutoWorks folks--attached. It confirms the color, along with other interesting data.

Whenever I play the radio now, I'll be proud to think that I'm hearing a full $11 worth of thundering monaural sound! And how about that 8 gallons of gas for $2.40? That was probably a deal worth taking.

I'm actually surprised there's not more options listed. The car doesn't seem like a stripper model at all, I guess because there was so much stuff already standard.

One thing that is puzzling me is the power locks, which I do have (not currently working). I don't see them in the options list, but I also can't find them in any standard equipment list like this one:

http://automotivemileposts.com/tbird196 ... pment.html

Wonder if they could have been a dealer-installed accessory?

[Scott6T6]

Excuse my redundant double posting above. You can't remove it once submitted - I tried!

Sapphire Blue it is! As I said that is the only factory paint color that was exclusive to the Thunderbird in 1966.

Power door locks were standard equipment on the '66 Town Hardtop and Landau. Probably just an oversight on Automotive Mileposts website...

Nicely option car.

[TbirdIntender]

Thanks for the word on the Town model locks! There's a lot of info to absorb on these cars.

My mechanic took some pics of the car--he wants to use it in his advertising. He really got the angle to make the color pop, which I couldn't seem to do.

[Scott6T6]

Looks like a beauty! How about a shot of the engine bay when you get a chance.
Are you certain the car has been re-painted?

[TbirdIntender]

No, I'm not certain it's been repainted. I need to get it gone over with a paint thickness sensor to be sure, probably. I don't see any obvious signs, but I just can't believe 55-year-old-paint would still be that good. (There are a couple of flaws, but only a couple.)

I've noticed that it looks to be identical to the car on the cover of the '66 brochure. It has not yet wafted me up into the clouds to associate with ladies in furs, but maybe I just haven't found the lever that does that yet.

Happy to show the engine. The previous owner rebuilt it, so I take no credit, but it looks great.

[kevindeluca66]

I have the same car. No red band tires but I have deluxe spinner hub caps in the garage. I have AM 8 track. My interior was dark blue vinyl and fabric but was changed to white vinyl on the seats by previous owner. I've owned the car for just over 20 years. Sapphire blue is rare but it is out there. I've been scouting sapphire blue cars in the Chicago area for 34 years and have only seen 3, one of which I lived with growing up that my mom bought new and still owns. If you Google sapphire blue 66 Thunderbird you will see quite a few.

[Sierra John]

Looks like you found a good one. Congratulations.