Drums were employed all around, although they were power-assisted. Like all 1966 Fords, the front suspension was independent and a live axle did duty at the rear. Side ornamentation was reduced as well and the '66 was the cleanest looking of all the fourth generation T-Birds. The rear of the car was freshened as well, with taillights that ran across the entire back of the car. It was replaced by a simple wrap-around bumper bar beneath the grille. Minor changes came along for 1965, but within the confines of the existing bodyshell, the effect of the restyle for 1966 was quite remarkable. In fact, that nose was reminiscent of a catfish-only extremely attractive. The nose of the car was almost entirely chrome, with a heavy bumper assembly hollowed out for a grille. Styling of the 1964 models could best be described as crisp, with essentially straight sides relieved by several strategically-placed creases. That fourth generation Thunderbird was to be the last built on a separate chassis and would continue through the 1966 model year.

The Thunderbird had found its niche as a four-passenger personal luxury car as sales continued to climb.Īlthough the four-seat formula was set in stone, there was an all-new T-Bird for 1961 and another version in 1964. Sales were strong, but product planners and accountants thought they could be stronger still-if only the car would seat four.įor 1958, gone was the original two-seat bird in favor of the 'Square Birds.' Bigger, heavier and far more luxurious, sales just kept on climbing-they were up 77 percent in their first year and another 78 percent for 1959. Considering the absolutely dismal sales of Chevy's Corvette, not being a sports car was a very good thing.

Good looking and moderately quick, it was no sports car. Ford's Thunderbird debuted in 1955 as stylish two-seater with good straight-line performance.

1966 ford tbird