Tehran, Iran, 1966 — My brother, Delmar Murray was about to finish a tour of duty working for the U.S. Government in this middle-east metropolis. In his enthusiasm to get home to the states he decided to take the Ford Motor Co. up on their offer to sell overseas workers a new Ford product at a substantial discount.
The question was, did he want a new Thunderbird or a new Lincoln Continental. Ford sent the brochures and price lists. After some lengthy considering, he decided to buy the top-of-the-line Town Landau Thunderbird in Candy Apple Red.
The car was ordered from Ford with no fender skirts, thus the bright garnish molding around the rear wheel wells. Arrangements were made to pick up the new T-Bird at Cherner Ford in Washington D.C. It was early summer when Del flew into D.C. and picked up the big bird.
A 2,800 mile cruise across American took him from Washington D.C. to our home in Spokane, Washington State. The big bird was a joy to drive with its cool air-conditioning, eight-track tape sound system and 390 V-8. Del paid about $5,000 for the car. That seemed to me like a huge amount of money at that time. When Del showed up with this gorgeous new 
bird, I was impressed. The all white interior with "wrap-around" rear seating looked like luxury at its best. Del and I took one trip together in the big bird. We took a leisurely drive up to Banff, Alberta, in the Canadian Rockies. Del was proud of that car, but he harbored some regrets that he didn’t take the plunge and buy a convertible.
Del was with us in Spokane for about a month. He had been hoping that his next government assignment would take him to a country that would be practical for him to have his new T-Bird go with him. But… word came from D.C. that his next assignment was to Karachi, Pakistan. Karachi is not the place to take a car like this. So, there was nothing to do except leave the car with me. I played with the car until the fall season was threatening snow. Del instructed me to sell the car for him.
The car was sold that fall to our cousin and her husband, Bill and Maxine Copley. Bill Copley had retired out of the Air Force and his family with three teenagers was living in an elegant older home on the South Hill here in Spokane. We saw the car only occasionally for several years. I distinctly remember their daughter Linda, who was in her late teens driving the candy-apple bird. I can almost hear the Beach Boys singing "fun, fun, fun till daddy takes the t-bird away."
Linda was well known in the family for her travels with the "Up With People" organization. She later became a stewardess for an airline company. Sadly, Linda was killed in a tragic car crash (not in the t-bird) but I still think of that beautiful red Thunderbird when I think of her.
The Copleys sold the Thunderbird and we completely lost track of what became of it. The years rolled by. Can you believe that the car is now 39 years old? What happened to the time? It still seems like just yesterday to me. No one knew where the Thunderbird was. Seems that it had been traded in to Wendle Ford in Spokane, and subsequently sold by them to someone.
One day in 2002 I happened to pick up a copy of "Wheel Deals" the local free automobiles-for-sale publication. To my surprise, I found a color photo of a red and white 1966 Thunderbird Town Landau. The description matched the car my brother had brought home some thirty-five years earlier. I called the number in the ad. The gentleman who answered the phone told me that the car had already been sold. In inquiring about the car, I became convinced that this was in fact the same car that I thought it was. I learned that the original owner lived on Sanson Avenue. That was our house. The seller would not tell me who had bought the car. He somewhat reluctantly agreed to pass along my phone number to the buyer.
A few days later my phone rang and the caller identified himself as the new owner of the red Thunderbird. In discussing the car with him I was now certain that this was the car that I thought it was. The new owner had no plans to sell the car. He had built a new shop and had the Thunderbird in it along with a 7-liter 1966 Ford Galaxy that he had purchase new. He went on to say that he had been looking for a well-preserved 1966 Thunderbird for the past seven years and had not found one this nice until now. He allowed that he might consider trading for the white 1966 Thunderbird Town Landau that Wendle Ford had in their showroom. But even then he would want some "boot" money due to the fact that he thought that the red T-bird was a somewhat better car. He mentioned that when he was inspecting the white 66 bird he noticed that the doors (which are quite heavy) would sag about a quarter of an inch when the doors were opened. The 1966 Thunderbird was unit body construction and known for rust problems with older ones. The red T-bird had been in dry Spokane all its life and had no rust problems. We agreed that I would bring my brother Del (now retired) out to see the car.
Before going out to see the red Thunderbird I made a trip up to Wendle Ford to see the white 1966 Thunderbird. The sales manager informed me that they had recently sold the car on Ebay for $11,500. So, I could forget about the plan to buy it for a swap.
Del and I went out to meet with the new owner and see the car. Amazing! During the past 30 years the car has been driven a mere 30,000 miles. The white molded vinyl driver’s door panel was perfect. Usually this is the first thing to crack and deteriorate as these T-birds age.
During our visit with the owner, he mentioned that he had been lusting after a 1972 War Bonnet Yellow Corvette that was in the showroom of a local collector car dealer. If we wanted to buy that Corvette he would trade "Even-Steven." We decided to take him up on his proposal. After some negotiation, we purchased the Corvette for $12,000. This was twice the amount that the Thunderbird had been offered for in the Wheel Deals ad. We met with the Thunderbird owner, swapped titles, and the Candy Apple Red T-bird was back home!
Since finding and regaining ownership of this Thunderbird we have spent another $4,000 on it. Some minor bodywork needed attention. At least half of the paint on the car is still original.
We decided to indulge in a new set of Kelsey Hays replica roadster wheels.
This Thunderbird still has all of the good looks and appeal that it had when new. Things that I like about it include: 1. The nose that has a more conventional front bumper than the 1964 or 65 bird. 2. The sculpted sides. 3. The "power-dome" hood. 4. The sequential tail lights. 5. The car has a masculine stance to it… it’s big and husky, but lean, powerful and ready to "kick-ass." Yet, at the same time it exudes luxury with its big bucket seats and classy interior. Think of that dream car that you once owned, but unfortunately let get away. Perhaps you traded it in for a more practical family car. Don’t tell me that you sold it for an embarrassingly small amount of money. Take heart! Start looking for it. You may luck out and discover that your long lost car from your youth is resting in a garage near by… being carefully preserved by some elderly gentleman… just waiting for you to find it.
WDM
One ewening i was looking of some pictures of american cars. Suddenly a Thunderbird Landau 66 showed up.I thought for myself, I want to have one of these. Now I have found one home in Norway for approximately 7000 USD.
I am very exited now because the owner shell call me tomorrow. I will thank you for the information you gave me and i will send you some word later.
Knut
Breathtaking!! Simply gorgeous! My pulse increases each time I view it.
great looking car I have one just like it that is in great shape. I just bought it & my wife is pissed. If I don’t sell it I am going to get a divorce. let me know if you have anyone interested. After looking at that photo above I am damn near willing to get a divorce & copy that bird to the tee. Who ever did that did one bitchen job. I konw my cars & that is grade A t bird right there. Any how let me know & I can send you some pictures. I bought it froma guy that has had this in his garage for the past 14 years.
oh ya to add to my comment eariler my email is sheldonh@kanab.net or call me on my cell 435-689-1751
good luck
I did not realize how gorgeous the 66 thunderbird was until I saw one of them in thelma and louise. then I got to know this particular t-bird. will something like this car ever be designed again?
Hey im about to turn sixteen and soon i am getting my licends….i have the same exact car in good condition, and i hope to completly restore it. This car is B-E-Autiful. I like the way every thing flows and still looks original. Nice Car
-mike fresno, ca
I saw a 1966 light blue t-bird for sale. rust through on both side rear quater, low. has both rear wheel skirts, and hubcaps that have the thunderbird name. some rust on the paint around the rest of the car. it was locked and we could not see the moter or a good look at the intior. I want to call the owner so i can go see it and take a good look. tha asking price is $2600.00 or best offer.
is there any questions or certain things i should look for. any info you can give me would be helpful.
my son and i think this may be a good project
Tommy
I have a 66 Bird & fixin it up & I was wonderin if thats stock or not?
We have a 66 428 Town Landau that was purchased at Cherner Ford also. We bought it in 1981 from a small car dealer. Lois Eminger supplied us with the factory invoice. She was a employee at Ford who kept invoices and then sold them in later years. After seeing your pictures, we plan to remove the skirts, add wheellip mouldings and wire wheels. Car is currently under total resto. Enjoyed your info. Thanx Keith and Sue Miller.
I love your car. I also purchased a 66 Bird. It was A convertable and possibly the last to leave the line. I Paid $6600.00 for it (about $1.00 a pound). I had every option except AC. It had one of the few 427s in it. I put 350,000 miles on it and only changed one water pump and rebuilt the carb once. The brakes had 100,000 miles on them before they were replaced. The average mpg was 22. Much to my regret I sold it to an older man who kept bugging me for it. What got me was he sold it within a month. The strangest incident occured on a trip to Ohio. My brother inlay was asleep in the back seat and awoke when he heard a strange rumble. I eased off the gas and came to a stop (we were doing 85 to 90 mph).We found that we were riding on little more than the right rear rim. No sway whatsoever. I still cant believe the quality of that car.
Jim Anastasi
Great looking ‘bird!!
We have a ‘66 Town landau in really good order, blue with black vinyl roof, bought it in Oregon in ‘05 and shipped it back to New Zealand, can’t beat that style!!
I have a 1966 bird the onlything Idon’tlike about it is only has a single cyl master cyl. Also the rear louvers on the car allow water and junk into the cavity below the rear window and the two ruber drains pluged up and I had rust and places where it rusted out.. going to fiber glass the cavity and block the louver so water can’t get down into that cavity and replace the panels , that have rusted from this problem.
I realy injoy the car had new front end suspension parts replaced driveline timed and rear diff overhaul seting to long and gers rusted.
Hi after seeing your beautiful Canyapple Red Tbird on the website it made start thinking about looking for a 66 Tbird again. I found mine, a 66 428 Convertible in the same colors in the VTCI scoop mag.I had it shipped to it’s new home in sunny California. Thanks for sharing your story, like you say they are out there if you look hard enough . Garry
Great car and story
Hi after reading your story It made me want to start looking once more for a 66 Thunderbird. I found a 428 Convertible in the same color combination as yours in the VTCI scoop mag. Now my Bird is home in its new avairy in sunny Southern California.Thanks for your story, it just goes to show you can still find a nice one
if you look hard enough. Garry
i have a 1966 tbird for sale $2.000.00 chrome is good. motor needs tune up,needs some body work.interor is good.windows are good.car is kentucky. my number is 1-941-730-2723
I love the red and white, just repainted mine med. blue.I Was hoping that someone out there would be able to help me. I’m new to working with cars since my father isnt quite mechanically inclined. I have a 66′ t-bird almost done restoring it just need to fine tune the engine I was hoping that someone could tell me how i might get some more power out of it cause it feels kinds sluggish. email @ jemaras@jacks.sdstate.edu or call 6057590585
That is such a terrific story. My Dad had a loaded 66 T/Bird Convertible. It was a purpleish/Lavender with a white top and leather interior. It had buttons on the stering wheel(highway pilot control).I had my own power seat(passenger)that reclined. It even had power vent windows. Not to mention a 7litre motor. That car was boss. I never forgot it. I now own a identically equipped red/red lthr/white top 66′
loaded bird. I even have the 8 track stereo. No fender skirts. I kept the spinner wheel covers. Although looking at your car makes one think ? Great trade decision ! We kept our 73′ PanteraL with even now just 7227 original miles……
2000.00 $ t.bird is for sale the blue one i like 860 7787410
hi,my name is dan i have a66 bird i bought it from old man who died ive had it 4 about 4years im a bodyman 4 25years and i can’t seem to get it painted yet it’s 95% ready sounds like my shelby convert 68 500 kr ive had 4 33years and haven’t finished anybody looking 4 a bird call 8478478392 dan