The word “Thunderbird” was in script lettering which had appeared on the fender. The car’s traditional emblem was a newly styled oval at the center of the bar. The vinyl-covered top was available in black, white, blue and brown.ġ965 Ford Thunderbird ad (Robert Tate Collection) 1964 Thunderbird hardtop designs offered the consumer the Landau Roof model, which featured a durable fade–resistant padded vinyl top over the formal hardtop roof. The 1964 Thunderbird models were great looking vehicles, and the public thoroughly enjoyed the new features, which included a sculptured body and rectangular taillights that were set inside a massive bumper for extra safety. The larger Thunderbird was introduced as a 1958 model and met with quick public acceptance and huge success. Many Thunderbird buyers were asking for two seats in the back, so they could show their vehicle off to more passengers, so a four-seater model was developed. Despite the immediate success of the small classic car, Ford product planners realized early that design changes would need to be made.

The Thunderbird was created to fill a need for a personal car in the American automotive market during the early 1950s. The 1964 models were the fourth in the Thunderbird line to be completely redesigned.ġ964 Thunderbird ad featuring the interior (Robert Tate Collection) Some automotive historians have referred to the 1964 Thunderbirds as the sculptured look because of its side view design. Thunderbird offered the consumer a longer hood and a shorter roofline that most consumers had admired. The all new Ford Thunderbird was completely restyled for the 1964 model year. Images courtesy of the Robert Tate Collection/Ford Motor Company Archivesġ964 Ford Thunderbird Landau (Robert Tate Collection) By Robert Tate, Automotive Historian and Researcher

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