1965 ford thunderbird

[lowbody2]

hello everyone my name is mike and i live in va. im getting ready to buy a 65 tbird. it has the 390 motor. was wondering is there anything i should look at before buying the car? ive looked underneath and it looks solid. i do plan on putting it on the lift at work before i buy. i did notice a big spot of oil on the ground under the rear end. my buddy said it was no biggy and a easy fix. here are some pics of the bird.

[phjohnso]

Gee - that looks like a decent find and the body looks really solid with no problem areas showing - good luck with your project ad please keep us updated. thanks!

[lowbody2]

what are some of the problem areas of these cars.? i will keep yall updated.

[dans65]

First thing I would find out if its a 64 or 65. It has 64 taillights and center section for the bumper and 65 frt fenders. Check the floor pans and trunk. Also look at the boxes where the springs mount. This car has no frame so just make sure its all there as far as unibody structure. In the front look at the inner wheelhouse near the upper shock mount to make sure they are solid as well. Good luck with it

[SCUMDOG]

And check if the shifter holds in each gear - i.e. doesn't drop from Reverse to Neutral.
Look for leaks in the trunk - the rubber cowl-drain hoses could have perished and be leaking.
Check for corroded steel brake lines.

[Joe Vandatta]

Nice looking Bird but as with any used car it's a good idea to run a compression and a vacuum test on the engine.
Joe

[lowbody2]

the title says its a 1965. does old cars have a production date sticker or stamp like the newer cars do?

[tbirdjim]

They are stamped with the vin on the pas side radiator support and there's a stamped metal plate on the aft end of the driver's door These should agree with the title.

In addition to the previously listed items, look for the following; leaking radiator, leaking/rotted freeze plugs on the block especially behind the mounts, Battery, batt tray and corrosion under and forward and aft of batt area of right forward corner sheet metal, brakes (rusted lines as described before), parking brake/pb release, steering suspension parts worn or loose, leaking power steering pump/lines/grbox/wiper motors (they run off the power steering), carb dirty,leaking rear main seal, oil consumption, smoke, running temp when warm, points/plugs/cap/rotor/belts/hoses/fuel filter, fuel tank contamination, heater core/controls, those tires are questionable,Trans fluid color/qty, trans operation, exterior/interior lights,guages, power window motors...etc.

Good luck and have fun.

[dans65]

Your vin should start 5y and go from there. It is also samped on the top of the cowl panel. Its possible someone just liked the 64 t/l lenses better. The difference between 64 and 65 on the lights would be the harness. The lenses could interchange but 65 was the first year with sequential t/s and it changed the harness from a 4 pin to 6 pin. Remember the car is 42 years old so keep that in mind for repairs. If you want the car and its priced right, get it, parts are available new and used and there are tons of people on here that can help with things that might come up. I have 3 restored 65's here along with 3 65 parts cars, a 70 I am working on, a 2004 that waits for spring and an 87 I use as a daily driver so watch out they are addicting.

[lowbody2]

i got some info off the car today
body color trim dso axle trans
63a s 26 24 1 4


can anyone tell what any of this means? thanks.

[dans65]

63a=2-door hardtop
S=Dark grey met(exterior color)
26=Black Vinyl(interior)
24=(DSO) Jacksonville
1=rear axle ratio 3.00:1
4= Maybe trans code?
it seems one set of #'s is missing which would be production date and month

[lowbody2]

i found a thing on tbird.org on how to decode the number plate. ill have to have check again about the production date thing. i want to say that there was an M on there also which would be december according to tbird.org. the 4 means 3 speed auto. it kinda makes me wonder what is under the red paint.