Home / Ford /

1965 FORD THUNDERBIRD LANDAU 1-FAMILY OWNED SINCE NEW UN-RESTORED BEST IN WORLD?

Make: Ford
Model: Thunderbird
Year: 1965
Mileage: 68477
VIN: 5Y87Z138162
Color: Wimbledon White
Engine: 390 cid
Cylinders: 8
Transmission: Automatic
Interior color: Black
Vehicle Title: Clean
Item location: Alto, Georgia, United States
Extras
Air Conditioning, Power Seats & Windows

Listed by
Private seller
Enquire

Description of 1965 Ford Thunderbird

1965 FORD THUNDERBIRD LANDAU 1-FAMILY OWNED SINCE NEW UN-RESTORED BEST IN WORLD?

ONE-FAMILY OWNERSHIP SINCE NEW!

METICULOUSLY MAINTAINED…NOT RESTORED

POSSIBLY THE BEST UN-RESTORED 1965 T’BIRD IN THE WORLD!

HIGHLIGHTS, FACTORY OPTIONS & SPECIAL FEATURES...

  • Passed-on to Daughter and then to Grandson from NEW!
  • Original Owner’s Manual and Owner Card
  • Factory AC…blows cold!
  • Power Windows
  • Power Driver’s Seat
  • Reclining Passenger Seat w/Extendable Headrest
  • Convenience Panel w/Power Door Locks & Warning Lights
  • Power Antenna
  • Trunk Release (Factory Vacuum Powered)
  • Factory AM-FM Radio
  • Unique Swing-Away Wheel & Sequential Tail-lamps

INTRODUCTION: Don’t you wish that some family member of yours had the finances and refined taste to buy a brand new Thunderbird Landau back in 1965? Better yet, that they also cherished and cared for it like a fine keepsake gold watch…with the express intention of passing it on to you! That is what happened with this car…a “one in a million” situation where a single family has an unbroken chain of ownership and care for an incredible 55-years! And now, YOU have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to essentially “join the family” and make it YOURS!

FAMILY OWNERSHIP BACKGROUND: Howard Chandler was a hard-working man of refined taste. Every 4 years, he bought a new car. In retirement, he made that last new car a very special one: this 1965 Thunderbird Landau. And what made it all the more special, was that he bought it for his wife, Olive. Actually, Olive did not even drive, but it was her “special car” nonetheless, and since they always walked to the grocery store, the T’Bird was only used for those special drives down south to Florida. In 1980, Howard passed away and the car was given to his daughter and eventually it made its way to her son, who now owns it with his wife. It appeared at a Vintage Thunderbird Club International show in Chattanooga some years ago and wowed the enthusiastic crowds with its incredible unrestored condition. Yes, it has been maintained, of course, but NEVER allowed to “age” or deteriorate to the point where a true restoration was needed. There is still a remarkable “newness” about it…especially when you look at trim and plated features which look near-new or new in nearly every case.

5Y87Z138162 VIN DECODING: 5 (1965 Model Year), Y (Wixom, MI Thunderbird/Lincoln Assembly Plant), 87 (2-Door Landau Body), Z (390-cid 4BBL V8), 138162 (Production Sequence Number)

DATA PLATE DECODING: Body 63B (2-Door Landau), Color M (Wimbledon White), Trim 56 (Black Vinyl w/Reclining Passenger Seat w/Extending Headrest), Date 22A (January 22, 1965 Production Date), DSO 23 (Philadelphia District Sales Office), Axle 1 (3.00 Ratio), Trans 4 (3-Speed Dual Range Automatic Transmission)

ODOMETER NOTE: The mileage is believed to be original, but due to the odometer’s design limitations and lack of records to substantiate it, no warranties expressed or implied are being made as to actual mileage – which we cannot prove with certainty.

IMPORTANT IMAGE NOTES: There are over 100 images, because we want to show you EVERY aspect of this fine classic that we can think of.

As a concours judge at many Ford & Lincoln events, I have been trained to find imperfection on any vehicle, and NO vehicle is perfect in every way. However, in my 48 years of Thunderbird experience, I have NEVER seen a more original or more impressive 1965 Thunderbird. I marvel at the obvious love and attention this car received. This much originality can NEVER be “restored back” into a car. It has a genuineness that is very rare and special. It was NEVER just a “used car”. Nonetheless, we are not trying to portray it as perfect. For example, please be prepared for what we consider small imperfections, which we show at right in the final images.

LOCATION:Alto, Ga...whichis approx. 75 miles northeast of Atlanta.

EXCELLENT INVESTMENT –The Thunderbird was the personal luxury trendsetter of the 1960s and will never be forgotten. Just as in real estate where “location, location, location” determines value, in classic cars, it is “condition, condition, condition” that drives value. This is especially true when that condition is so highly original.

THE FIRST 12 PICTURESwill give you a general overview of this one-of-a-kind T’Bird Landau. But if you are seriously interested...we suggest that you look at ALL 100+ images because we want you to see EVERYTHING. Simply "scroll down" to see the pictures.

Over 3,000 TRANSACTIONS WITH HAPPY PEOPLE!As of the date of this listing, we've had over 3,000 transactions (both BuyingandSelling) on eBay without a single complaint. One of the keys to our success is to showlargerandmoreimages than almost any other eBay listing...so you canclearlysee what you are getting. We also give a very detailed description of the car...not just a couple sentences like many listings.
QUESTIONS?...after reviewing ALL the images and reading the entire description, please call Jim Murphy if you have any questions: 706-429-7924

OPERATIONAL REPORT:This Thunderbird drives confidently with excellent (standard for 1965) front disc brakes. The AC blows cold and the automatic shifts smoothly. It has the body integrity of a Lincoln, for indeed, it was designed and engineered to be built right alongside them in the same quality-conscious factory environment in Wixom, MI. We tested the AC (cold!), Power Windows, Power Seats, Power Locks, Power Trunk Reslease, Driver’s Power Seat, AM-FM Radio, ALL external lights/directional/sequential tail-lamps, and horn…they ALL worked with the exception of the rear passenger quarter window (which is common). We show the operational FLASHER, and DOOR AJAR convenience panel lamps, but were not able to test the LOW FUEL light as the gas tank was too full.

NOTE: The rear center armrest hinge does not allow the armrest to lower fully, and we forgot to test the wipers and washer (the car is in storage, and if possible, we will test and update at the end of this description text).

PAYMENT TERMS: A $500 non-refundable deposit via PayPal is due immediately upon the listing’s end. Balance payment is due within 3-business days of auction's end via Bank to Bank wire transfer.

INTERNATIONAL BIDDERSare welcome, but MUST adhere to the SAME Payment Terms detailed above and also make all arrangements for the pick-up and importation of the Vehicle into the Buyer's country.
ABOUT ME:I am an avid Classic Car enthusiast. After retiring from 30 years of Sales & Marketing in a Global 100 company, I began buying and selling Classic Cars and Collectibles as a collector and for friends and clients. This classic belongs to a fellow member of the North Georgia Thunderbirds chapter of VTCI.
Please Note:as of this date, we have had over 3,000 eBay transactions with 100% Positive Feedback...this includes the sale of many Classic Cars to Buyers all over the world, including Great Britain, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland, France, Australia, Russia, Canada, Japan and throughout the United States.
IMPORTANT DOCUMENT & CONDITION OF SALE REMARKS:Bill of Sale and (clear) Georgia Owner Registration will be provided to the Buyer.

The state of Georgia does not require titles for vehicles built before 1986. Therefore, this Thunderbird was not issued a title. The Registration document is the legal document of ownership. Every state observes the DMV rules of all other states, therefore this vehicle may be insured, licensed, registered and driven in any state. Whether it is titled depends upon the DMV title rules of your state.

Please examine the last two images on the right because just as this was listed, we noticed a typo on the Registration document: the 5th VIN character is actually a “Z”, not a “2”. This will be corrected asap for the new owner. These typo errors are common with older cars, and Georgia has an excellent procedure to make corrections.

This Vehicle is sold strictly as-shown and on a final as-is basis without any warranties expressed or implied due to age. Even the very best restored classics will require additional maintenance and service - often without warning. Therefore, please expect to continue - as the new owner and caretaker of this classic - to perform additional maintenance and repairs. We hope that you are able to enjoy the T’Bird without the need for an immediate repair - but understand that this indeed could be found necessary. As seasoned collectors know, every time you start (or attempt to start) a classic vehicle is a new experience...it could be a wonderful ride, or a new repair to undertake. That is the nature of the hobby, and this classic should not be purchased if you are not prepared for this reality. We have presented the car accurately to the best of our ability, but oversights are possible. Therefore -beforethe auction's end - bidders are welcome to examine the vehicle in person. All sales are final.

Because this car is only lightly driven locally - and is untested for long trips - we recommend that it be transported to its new locale.

We remind you to be sure to review ALL the images and ALL the captions for this classic, on the rightbecause - in addition to this description - they relate important information too!

QUESTIONS?...after reviewing ALL the images and reading the entire description, please call Jim Murphy if you have any questions: 706-429-7924



Payment

I accept the following forms of payment:
  • Please see description write-up for Payment Terms






































































































































































FREE scheduling, supersized images
and templates. Get Vendio Sales Manager.


FREE scheduling, supersized images
and templates. Get Vendio Sales Manager.