![]() It doesn’t get fussy and thanks to some recent service work, it’s got pleasing driving manners. There’s a muted V8 burble out back but it’s quite quiet on the road. This one starts easily and idles nicely-it’s not a hot rod motor, it’s still pure luxury car-and generally goes about its business without any fuss. Everything it does is effortless, and while it’s still a big, heavy car, the added torque of the 428 makes it feel 800 pounds lighter than it is. of torque, it gives the big T-Bird rather authoritative performance. With a rather remarkable 345 horsepower and 462 ft-lb. The standard engine in 1966 was still the venerable 390 cubic inch V8, but about 700 convertible buyers stepped up to the Q-code 428 cubic inch V8 that had just been added to the options list. With the top up, there’s a good-sized trunk that is properly outfitted with original mats and a full-sized spare tire. Perhaps most importantly, the convertible top works properly, stowing itself under the trunk lid in a remarkable ballet of mechanical and electronic wizardry directly related to the “retractable” hardtops of the 1950s. The gauges are still some of the coolest ever put in a Ford, with a bar-style speedometer and the individual round pods for the secondary dials. This car is also loaded with options, including power bucket seats, power windows, an AM radio, and factory A/C (system energizes but needs to be recharged with R12), making it very appealing to today’s drivers. The door panels and carpets are excellent, showing minimal wear, and only the driver’s seat belies the car’s age with a minor split in the lower cushion. ![]() The original black interior is holding up well and makes for a nice contrast to the bright red bodywork. This is still a car that whispers that its owner has impeccable taste. The doors shut well so there are obviously no structural issues and there’s enough chrome on the car to make it look like it belongs to a grown-up. It is otherwise quite solid and the paint shines up nicely so the car looks like a celebrity as it cruises down the road. It’s quite presentable and there are no signs of distress under the bodywork save for some bubbling on the lower passenger door. ![]() Nothing that needs to be addressed, of course, because this is a driver not a show car. We believe it has been repainted at some point and they did a good job of it, although it’s showing a bit of age today. It’s big, it’s got a lot of chrome, and it makes a statement. Wearing a coat of correct Rangoon Red paint, this is not a subtle car. And there’s no denying the attraction of that awesome convertible top mechanism in action-you could probably sell tickets to watch it do its thing. Cars like this handsome 1966 Thunderbird convertible are gaining on their older siblings in terms of popularity, and why not? They’re comfortable, reliable, and stylish cars that are still affordable. The mid-60s Thunderbirds were overlooked for many years but that seems to be changing. An affordable big ragtop with plenty of horsepower! One older repaint, original interior, no structural issues. Nice color combination, runs and drives well, convertible top works properly. One of only 700 built with the Q-code 428 cubic inch V8. They’re comfortable, reliable, and stylish cars that are still affordable.
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