1966 Ford Thunderbird Convertible Parts Car Or Restore on 2040-cars

 This is a 1966 Thunderbird Convertible that needs total restoration and is not running, nor will it run without extensive work. This is a "barn find" that came back into the real world summer 2013 after sitting in a barn since around 1978. Has 1977 NC plate still on it. I got it from a guy who was helping his 85 year old friend dispose of his projects he could no longer work on. I'm describing as it really is and not sugar-coating. You know what these cars are, that they don't come up all that much un-restored, even in bad condition anymore, how bad they can rust, and what it takes to restore one. Obviously rough from storage. This car is NOT a rust-bucket, but it does have some isolated trouble areas, not due to road salt or weather-related corrosion, but animal nest chemical attack on the metal. The quarters, wheelhouses, outer rockers and 85 percent of the metal body structure are all SOLID. There might be a pinhole or two in the quarters, but they are amazing, and I do not see any bad areas where the outer wheelhouses meet the lip or where the trunk drops meet the lower edge. The rear floors and driver front floor are still strong enough to support me, 250 lbs. The passenger front floor is bad and will need replaced, along with a portion of the inner rocker vertical wall and the seat support structure, also mentioned below.The doors are very solid, you will not need to replace. Driver front fender is solid, no issues, you will find it easily usable. I have installed a very nice hood I got along with this car, solid and usable. The original hood was crunched slightly at the front, not fixable. Passenger fender on the car is a temporary one, best I had access to right now. You will need to find a passenger front fender. Trunk lid has some rust in the rear underside corners. Trunk floor is mostly solid, but does have some weak and rust through areas, and it is pushed "up" in an area near the front. The convertible "package tray" is rusty and will need reworked. The trunk metalwork under the front edge near where the jackscrews are has some rust, both sides. Photo's show all of the BAD spots. I pulled all of the seats out as they were terrible. As mentioned above the structure area where the seats bolt down is rusted on both sides. The metal is literally rusted away from an animal nest that was under both seats. The seat frames were disintegrated from all of this mess as well. Various other SMALL areas are rusted in the interior structure area due to animal nests. The trunk is open, kind of unusual on these, but thankfully the previous owner opened it some time way back and disconnected the hydraulic cylinders. Otherwise you usually find these cars with destroyed trunk lids, because most people do not know how to get into one. Underhood "apron" and shock tower areas are solid, except the battery area of course. Top frame is all there, some of these pieces near the windshield header have some rust, may need reworking.

Really, really surprising is that the dash pad is nearly perfect. Can't explain that.

It's a 428 car, as you know by the VIN "Q". Engine is stuck though, will not turn over. Don't know if it's the Wixom-original factory installed engine or not, but probably. If it is, it will need total rebuild. The engine is complete, down to the carb, but the alternator is missing.

Manual windows, NO AC. Will need all interior replaced. I have some rear seats similar color. I have the front seats for the trim panels, lower track/frame is disintegrated.

I have a clear NC title in my name. Stored inside since I got it, and while it was for sale after removal from the barn. Has not been outside.

I think I've covered everything. Selling as is.You must arrange transport, I will assist and give access once it's paid for. On payment, I need a minimum deposit of $800 immediately on the "Buy It Now", or pay it all. I will give you 10 days to pay for it, three weeks to come get it, but can work with you if you pay storage I'm paying. Car is stored within about 5 miles of the intersection of I95 and I40 near Benson/Four Oaks, NC. Come look at it, or send your representative, I'm telling it like it is and welcome your viewing. Thanks for looking. My name is Jeff.