In search of....

[65tbsl]

Hi. New to this site. I have a '65 Special Landau. One great car and in decent shape. The original vinyl top is about at it's servicable end and I need to replace it. Though this question has likely been asked, does anyone know where a parchment colored vinyl in the correct "Cobra" grain can be found?
My Special Landau was built on Feb. 17th of 1965, By that date I am certain it was one of the earliest builds for a Special Landau. Unfortunately, the original owner's name tag is long missing so I do not know how close to the beginning of the SL run this was. Is there any way to find this info? I do know it was sent to the San Jose District and sold new in San Francisco, It has spent all it's life in Marin and Sonoma counties. and was found abandoned and sent to a scrap yard, from which it was rescued only days before it was to be destroyed. Some finessing of minor problems and massaging of body damage proved it was a worthy survivor.

[dans65]

SMS auto upholstry makes the correct parchment color. Its a bit expensive. I think 500-600 for a cut piece with the correct 2 seams. We have a bunch of Special Landaus here and put tops on 2 of them this past year. One I did in my driveway

[dans65]

Just read the rest of your question and although you dont have the owners badge it really wouldnt tell you much. The 4500 #'s were not assigned in relation to production build dates(i think I might have an extra one in my shop). From what I have found it was far from an exact science. Marti Auto has the eminger invoices which is the original Ford copy of the invoice, prices, options, DSO, how it was shipped etc. Our whimbeldon white special landau was from the San Jose District as well. If you ever need any Special Landau parts let me know as I have a couple of them as parts cars here as well. You can reach me on this site or directly at [email protected] if need be.

[65tbsl]

I appreciate the answers to my questions. I will contact SMS on line if possible and see what the costs of the vinyl top is. Your quoted price does'nt seem too out of line considering. I do need a few small bits, and will contact you via the email addy you have given. The '65 Landau is not my first 'Bird. Have been involved with the "Children of Wixom" for 14 years now, First with Lincolns, 3 '61 sedans and a '66 Coupe. Switched to T/birds when I found a '64 Hardtop in Winbledon white w/ red interior that need some TLC. That reawakened my love for Thunderbirds that I had when I was a child and have been colecting them since, Aside from the '64 HT and the '65 Special Landau, I have had 2 66s, A town Landau in Silver Mink and a Town Hardtop in Black w/ Emberglo interior. a '69 2 dr Landau, 2 77's, a 91 Sport (still doing occasional daily driver duty) and a 96 LX. There have been others, including a side trip into muscle cars with a '70 Torino, but Thunderbirds are my main automotive love. And the Flair birds are my first choice.