A flatter hood, re-shaped front fenders, new headlight buckets, new egg crate grille with large Thunderbird emblem, new bumper guards, a single bumper bar, and painted roll pan replaced the previous two model year's two-piece front bumper. The larger 428-cubic-inch (7.0 L) V-8 became optional, rated at 345 hp (257 kW) and providing a notable improvement in 0-60 mph acceleration to about 9 seconds. Opening the trunk on convertibles for storage required that the lid be opened electrically, without deploying or retracting the folding convertible top.įor 1966, the 390-cubic-inch V8's power was increased to 315 hp (235 kW). The mechanism was originally used on the Ford Fairlane 500 Skyliner hardtop convertible of the late 1950s. Again, the Cruise-O-Matic MX automatic was the only transmission available.Ĭonvertibles borrowed the opening mechanism from the all-new Lincoln Continental where the trunklid would open electrically in a single piece, hinged at the back of the vehicle, then the fabric top would fold down and disappear beneath the trunklid. Sales, impacted by increasing competition, including cannibalism by Ford's own newly introduced, and more affordable Mustang, dipped to 74,972. The popular 'Tilt-Away' steering column continued, and was a Thunderbird recognized feature that was later shared on other upper-level Ford Products. Exterior trim was revised, including a new grille, Thunderbird emblem replacing the block letters on the front edge of the hood, simulated front fender vent trim, revised Thunderbird scripts now located on the rear edge of the quarter panels, and revised taillight lens trim and a single center emblem replacing the dual lens birds and block letters respectively. Several features intended for the new generation were delayed until 1965, when front disc brakes became standard equipment and sequential turn signals which flashed three bulbs in the broad, horizontal tail lights from inside to outside were added the latter had been delayed by vehicle lighting regulations in the United States. 1965 model year saw the debut of sequential turn signals

Tbird 1965