1964 Ford Thunderbird Convertible Top Operation

Showing how the convertible top folds up and down on a 1964 Ford Thunderbird Convertible.
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This Week With Cars - Episode 0047

[@ThisWeekWithCars]

A better video I made showing the operation of this convertible top: kzbin.info/www/bejne/kHbQdauGja93p68

[@truebetold65]

Artwork on wheels. The Thunderbirds have always been a unique car.👍🇺🇸

[@gregclyde7046]

I had a 1964 Thunderbird medium brown. White leather seats. Beautiful vehicle.

[@ecologicaladam7262]

What an amazing piece of engineering!!

[@nunyabizness199]

I'll bet that car cost an absolute fortune when it was new !

[@CajunWolffe]

Just think, this was all done with pencils, paper, draftsmen, engineers, and Post Versa Log II slide rules, I still have both mine and father's slide rule and can still use it just fine. At the same time as this car was being designed and built, we were creating and building rockets and spacecraft to take men to the moon by the end of the decade, and we did it.

[@robertorr1324]

@@CajunWolffe What a Wonderful story. For me to be involved on the team would be a dream come true. Otherwise, Childhood dream, Astronaut............At least I made in into aircraft Aeronautics.

[@batmore1]

Awesome, love these Thunderbird convertibles! Great job on restoring! Love watching the top mechanism and seeing the car with the raised and lowered. Thanks!

[@moldingpro7208]

That car is gorgeous! My favorite model of the Thunderbird by far.

[@danyellerobinson5940]

I like the '69 as well.

[@jillcalhoun276]

First thank you so much for showing the top operation. Really an amazing piece of technology for the time. Second, thank you for restoring this beautiful car. I have always admired these Thunderbird convertibles since I was a little kid. You did a great job with restoration. Congratulations, enjoy and thank you for sharing!

[@thomasowens6041]

I usually don't much care for Fords. This one is definitely an exception. Just a gorgeous design and execution. Thanks for the post.

[@BadApe351]

Thunderbirds of this era are icons of the motor industry. And stunningly beautiful. Almost 60 year old technology and still going strong.

[@mkofftiger]

Stunningly beautiful car! Thanks for posting this...enjoyed it tremendously.

[@WHOMEWHOYOU]

My Favorite Model of The Thunderbird! Perfect Timing for Me as I had just Watched your First Video on this Car of You bringing it back to Live. Now the Second Part of it's Great Looking Top in Action, Thanks Much. Enjoying you Videos!

[@geraldbly4903]

Thanks for showing this automotive magic in action. Really enjoyed it! These older thunderbirds are beautiful cars.

[@NadrianATRS]

Yeah that won’t wake up the neighbors a bit

[@kingkrimson8771]

Who cares? They should be hopping out of bed to watch something that cool!

[@nunyabizness199]

Annnnd, your groceries are TOAST ! Love the car, thanks for showing it !

[@CajunWolffe]

LoL, this car was not designed for going to the grocery store.

[@glennmorrell4907]

I love t-birds of any vintage but the 60-64 models were some of the best. Yours looks pretty good

[@mikeceli]

NICE T Bird! Best practice is to operate a convertible top, with the engine running. It raises the electrical system from 12 volts at the battery to approx. 13-14 Volts. Better for the electrical components.

[@robertpetricko4846]

Another Great Design and Year for a T Bird Rag Top!!

[@ragsmercedes54]

Thank you, we’re working on a 64 T-Bird convertible here in Hilo Hawaii {same color} the customer will really watching this.

[@happyhermit2022]

Astonishing for nearly 60 years old. Great video thank you really interesting 👍

[@WilliamGreenlee]

That was a trip, visually and acoustically

[@martinjames9250]

Stunning. Always been a favourite of mine although I'd go for a hardtop.

[@keno77]

Hi tech in 1964 wow that's awesome and the thunderbird is such a beautiful car one of my favorites, take care of her.

[@stevewaclo167]

Wow! Good thing they had sophisticated microprocessors and advanced electronics back then...oh wait! Excellent video!

[@kingkrimson8771]

The array of relays and limit switches needed to operate the top mechanism was mind-boggling and required frequent adjustments. Good thing a more modern solid-state replacement is available.

[@jsmith034086]

That interior though... WOW!!!

[@srichards9707]

A friend of mine has a gold one of these. He also had a burgundy one. They are awesome. Thanks for video.

[@jonsmith8582]

1964 ? amazing engineering , fabulous car you've got there

[@Oldbmwr100rs]

Ford started doing tops like that in the mid 50's with their sunliners.

[@chuckster3629]

@@Oldbmwr100rs Yes, the '58 to '60 models had power tops with trunk lid motors too.

[@CajunWolffe]

@@Oldbmwr100rs The Sunliners were definitely cars ahead of their time. I remember when my dad bought a 1959 Mercury Parklane in 1960; it was the floor demo and loaded. These were basically Turnpike Cruisers which were similar to the Sunliner. The Parklane, my dad, bought was in white, 4-door, and had the big 430 cu. in. LEM V8. That car was happist at 100 mph, and because of the weight, very stable at that speed.

[@EYE_SPIDER]

Awesome Thunderbird! I used to have one just like it! Aside from being a convertible.

[@eartha911]

My 64 had a few more gadgets like power windows and vacuum door locks, plus AC and spinner hubcaps, but she was a nightmare to maintain. Always, ALWAYS have a complete set of relay switches for the top at the ready. When that top is down, she is the most beautiful car on the road....and she drives like a dream!

[@keithmatthews1673]

It is like a dinasaur eating itself! Nice car :-)

[@dondesnoo1771]

That's the car they should have used for the Christine movie 428s wanted to kill you with the backup problem .🤔

[@MrButtonpresser]

Poetry in motion, thanks

[@carloscarpinteyro332]

Thanks for demonstrating the operation of the convertible top! I always like the styling of the 1964-66 thunderbirds. 1965 was the first year of the sequential tail lamps, and the thunderbird tail lamps were used for all of the shelby mustangs, as well.

[@kingkrimson8771]

Sequential turn signals were intended to be released with the '64 redesign but Ford couldn't get them DOT approved in time.

[@carloscarpinteyro332]

@@kingkrimson8771 Did not know that tid-bit of information, thank you so much!!!

[@seand2711]

Damn that's pretty slick!

[@lucwolf1]

Great vid. Thanks. I was surprised at how noisy it was.

[@walterballauer616]

The 64 T-bird convertible was my first car. Bought it used in 1966 for $2100. Sure would to have it back!

[@llamamanism]

Damn! That roof sounds like a wounded animal groaning

[@dianeswift]

Remarkable car under restoration by a remarkable mechanic. Do you keep any of these cars for your personal collection? Magnificent vehicle.

[@usmale4915]

What a good job you did with that top! Thunderbird's are my favorite car, especially the convertibles! Used to have a '59 T-Bird when I was in HS. It had a 440 with a 4 barrel and could that car move! Anyway, just wanted to comment on your beautiful T-Bird! Thank you for the upload!

[@kingkrimson8771]

Ford never produced a 440 engine, they did however use a Lincoln-sourced 430 in a small number of T-Birds in '59 & '60

[@jerryparks6123]

I think you mean a 430 ! Ford put them in Thunderbirds back then, 440s a Chrysler engine not Ford! .

[@jerryparks6123]

@@kingkrimson8771 Ford actually put 430s in 58 t - birds TOO ! .

[@phillipbateman2284]

A chap I knew had a red thunderbird of slightly earlier design, but also convertible with a white roof and seats. When the roof folded down, there was a red fiberglass panel that covered the rear seats, making it a two seater. An amazing looking car.

[@jerryparks6123]

That was a sports Roadster model they made them in 62 and 63 ! They 390s with 3 two barrel carbs and Real spoked wheels, not hub caps 340 horse power .

[@fordlandau]

I like this guy !

[@Santos.Sarmento]

A great feature video on this fabulous and unique car (a bit underrated). Thanks for make and share it. Greetings from Brazil.

[@3751642]

A most beautiful T-Bird.

[@markokampfelt3298]

Days after Skyliners top legacy. This 64-66 Tbirds are really unique and classy cars..way of a time then and now🇺🇸👍

[@dennisistenes5949]

Really fun car to own and drive.

[@anthonyciolli5891]

Had a 64 BIRD, 1year color, Rose Beige Metallic, White top, 390 motor, really nice car,,,,,

[@timstill152]

Ingenious.

[@gunsaway1]

Beautiful

[@QBandBookingKC]

Excellent

[@asteverino8569]

Thanks for not hiding the sounds of the mechanical, electrical, relay mechanism. It may have been made louder from the room the car was in.

[@BA-gn3qb]

The pleasing sound from the tailpipes offset any by the convertible top.

[@ianatkinson8464]

Superb 😎

[@claycoates5056]

I thought that the motor was to be running when operating the top these are wonderful cars I have helped work on one of these systems to operate the top i never thought they that noisy Love the looks of the car

[@ThisWeekWithCars]

I would normally have the engine running but for the sake of the video and being able to hear anything over the engine I did not.

[@friendlypiranha774]

King of the Road

[@blackpool321]

My dream car

[@christianorthodoxy4769]

Awesome!"

[@jerm_xd1887]

how's restoring one of these like,are they easy to get parts for? id love to start a project with one of these

[@ianspencer2826]

Very good...how’s the jaag

[@Nigel-nar53]

That is well cool 👍

[@paulpeterson4311]

That insane & wonderful top mechanism & then you have to crank your window down. LOL

[@kerrykrishna]

Steve, after watching the Jay Leno vid on his 67(?) Continental just a few days ago, , I remember the master Technician say that the back windows always had to be cranked down a bit before putting the roof down. Maybe check onto it and see if your car is the same?

[@scottlogan2971]

That was only true for the Continental convertibles, not Thunderbirds. The rear windows on the Continental convertibles dropped down automatically a few inches when operating the top mechanism.

[@Saint_Vincent1735]

Speaking as a Brit, I think the styling on these cars inside and out are Stunning. They ooze class.

[@Oldbmwr100rs]

I love the 60's series thunderbirds myself, especially the earlier "jet age" chassis from 62 to 64.

[@guarionex1961]

Real transformer! 😀

[@MirceaD28]

This is one gorgeous car. At 2:54 the corners of the trunk needs to bend down a little bit. But man, this is a car I would love to own.

[@grndiesel]

The jet birds were always so cool. Gorgeous from any angle and powered by the FE big block, what's not to like?

[@moesizlac2596]

1. Gas mileage 2. Stopping distance 3. Handling 4. Lap belts only 5. And mabey the length of time you have to hold the power top button... 6. A console but no console shifter 7. No cup holders You did ask

[@grndiesel]

@@moesizlac2596 You make that sound like it's a bad thing! Joking aside, if I had my way I'd probably go the restomod route and address some of those.

[@moesizlac2596]

@@grndiesel yeah these things have all the style...but there are just sooo many of them out there, and everyone thinks they need to save them. A full on proper usable restomod with the right engine n trani might even make them almost relevant. ...could do a coyote, but why not rob a modern suv of its v6 turbo and get better power AND gas mileage. Modern suvs weight the same as these and won't break the bank on gas. Also that speedo is pretty useless. The ribbon starts too far to the left. I would put the big triple gauges from a 61.2.3 jet birds in there...

[@grndiesel]

​@@moesizlac2596 I actually like the fact that they're not very high on the cool status. Mustangs and Mopars are so expensive now that you need some deep pockets just to get one, let alone have some fun with it. I get your point with the turbo V6 (ecoboost?) but I'd sooner put EFI on the 390, then bolt it to a 5 speed stick, or 4 speed overdrive auto. Otherwise, I'd commit the ultimate sacrilege and try to shoe-horn a diesel under the hood. I'll likely never have time for any of that, but I can dream.

[@moesizlac2596]

@@grndiesel mmm Diesel soooo Sacrilegious...ahhh

[@mikeallmon1]

skyliner style!!

[@fordlandau]

Gorgeous car. Amazing mechanics! But the boot has no luggage space ?

[@mikego18753]

I think you must chuck your stuff on the back seat!

[@donprice9050]

it's not a boot it's a trunk!

[@555Trout]

Where did you find this car?!

[@charlescarter6146]

How the heck did you find a 64 convertible that is this nice and affordable? I had a 66 hardtop that was affordable but that was a long time ago. Great find.

[@sosomelodies659]

Good gawd! The whole process sounds as if all may neighbors are mowing their lawns and doing yard work all at once.

[@Intrepid175a]

Took within a few seconds of a full minute to cycle that thing. The technology has definitely come a long way. Still, it's pretty impressive for it's day!

[@ScottDLR]

Very interesting car. Looks like the only option besides the top was a rear seat speaker (FM?). Not even power windows or a power drivers seat which were super common. No matter, it's a stunning car. BTW, in the manual it states that the car should be running to move the top. It takes about 70 amps and voltage drop is a killer.

[@ThisWeekWithCars]

Having to roll up and down all the windows when you want to put the top up or down is a huge pain, power windows would be nice. With how long it takes I guess you have plenty of time for someone to get the windows for you!

[@jimgardner5129]

What a beautiful car! But, do you have to hold the button in for the duration? Bummer.

[@cantalope67]

You should have the engine running when put in the top up or down to save the battery

[@kevinkobayashi]

love the video of the convertible however it sounds "extremeley super LOUD", it sounds like its a new motor, lube job inside around it etc" what do you think?

[@ThisWeekWithCars]

It’s the video it’s not loud in person

[@conradsunkiojack2538]

Another name for her is sweet sensation. Ford is challenged to create another sleek high end convertible that will make the market swoon.

[@alanblanes2876]

You must have a super battery in that car!

[@chuckster3629]

It was brand new. Didn't you see him replace it?

[@Intrepid175a]

Probably ought to have the engine running too.

[@anetajohnson8446]

I gotta stop giving negative comments, like its just my luck that it starts raining and the top only goes halfway up! and stops! but i really did have a 65 t bird hard top. wish i had it now! totaly restord, of cource!

[@Montyhugo]

I'M TIRED OF THESE LEBRON JAMES COMMERCIALS! GREAT ENGINEERING AND WHAT A BEAUTIFUL CAR👍

[@PshycoFlippy]

I have a 1966 with the landau top I really want the convertible

[@MTSVW]

Definitely sleeker and more convenient than the tops on British cars with all their snaps. But the packaging is so inefficient! And the mechanism is so LOUD! My favorite Ford convertibles are the hardtop Fairlanes from the ‘50s.

[@AllenManor]

These convertible Thunderbirds, though not very sought-after, are actually quite rare. I know because My Dad owned a white 1965 just like this one. In about 1981 he saw it parked in a driveway for months without moving and had always wanted one so he knocked on the door and a lady answered and explained that the car was her late husband's. He'd died and it had been sitting for about 10 years. My Dad bought it for about $2,500. He loved it and drove it all over for about 6 months and then on a business trip he went to open the amazing electric trunk to get his suitcase out and it would not open! He was so irritated by not being able to simply open his trunk that he parked the car in the garage and there it sat until he passed away in 2011. He was convinced that it was priceless and once even rejected a sight-unseen offer of $20,000 for it from a museum curator in Laughlin. When we sold it in 2011 we got about $12,000 for it and it needed a lot of TLC. I once spoke to a mechanic who loved these and restored them in his spare time. He said that the electric trunk mechanism was the most complex wiring he had ever seen in a car.

[@kevat310]

Nice. Must be a nightmare to rig though!

[@DarthKyle05]

Who remembers Duncan McLeod's 64 T-bird convertible from Highlander: The Series?

[@wittingdart1824]

How much does it cost to install on a 1964 Thunderbird ?

[@karenbowen3430]

In the event the top stops working mid way up or down, is there a release to manually put it back down?

[@ThisWeekWithCars]

Not without unbolting a few things.

[@karenbowen3430]

@@ThisWeekWithCars Ugh... I can see myself in a dress trying to figure that out.... where would I start??

[@Manvillebrady]

Copy and paste from a comment I left on JLGarage a few year back where he detailed the intricacies of the convertible top on a 1966 Lincoln Continental: Danny T. from the Tavern in Penn Yan, NY located on Keuka Lake in the Finger Lakes Region of upstate New York bought a mid 60's white T-Bird Convertible from my elderly childhood neighbor of mine, Doris Scherer, 20-some years ago. Doris's husband Ed (Doc) owned Gardner & Henderson Ford dealership in PY back in the day. I remember all the new Fords they would bring home but this one was always my favorite and the only one she ended up keeping well into her 90's. I walked into the Tavern one day after work to find Gary D., a local car guy, sitting at the bar & not in a very good mood. He was stressing over issues with the convertible top on this car that he was sprucing up for Danny. I'd gone through an electrical apprenticeship motor controls course so what he was saying piqued my interest. It was all relay logic with limit switches galore. I said "I bet I can fix it". Off we went to his shop for 2-hrs that night and a few more the next morning. I was the new rock star at the Tavern. I've done some pretty impressive jobs in my life but never have I gotten that kind of recognition for fixing something. Low hydraulic fluid caused cavitation which repeatedly kicked out the self resetting thermal overload on the pump motor after 3-attempted cycles (it sounded like an industrial trash compactor trying to run) , the neutral safety switch was loose which "made" the circuit intermittently, the trunk lid drum switch had been replace by Gary (salvaged from a guy in Pennsylvania that had a collection of dead Lincoln Continentals Convertibles) so a bit of adjustment was in order, I remember there being another issue which I cannot recall right now. The trunk screw-downs had long been disconnected entirely so they weren't an issue. The T-bird was a 2-door so the rear window interlocks mentioned in this video were not an issue on the T-bird. Danny slapped $350 on the bar the next time I came in. He said that they contacted every mechanic that was ever associated with that car from Dave H, a retired longtime mechanic at that Ford Garage who remembered the issues well when the car was new to Jud , a respected local auto electrician. Danny said none of them wanted anything to do with this demon. I thought it was all over-blown until now, after viewing this episode. Hoping Danny has a smart phone so I can share this video with him. Love JLG!

[@Manvillebrady]

BTW: the hydraulics sounds way too loud - likely cavitation. Might be low on hydraulic fluid.

[@keith536]

I thought Ford had abandoned this operation for the lower models (non-Lincolns) by this point. Great engineering.

[@BrettLeMans]

Question: What is the height with the top down - ground to top edge of the door? I've looked online and can't find this measurement...I'd like to compare this to my convertible. Thank you. :)

[@ThisWeekWithCars]

Not counting the windscreen it is 36" tall.

[@BrettLeMans]

@@ThisWeekWithCars - Awesome, thank you! ;)

[@davejay15]

Hey Steve. Where did you find this car. Was it an estate sale from Pennsylvania. I ask because my uncle had a 64 bird like this. It was left in an airport hanger and my cousins gave it away with the buyer of his home. It was my aunt ginnys car.

[@ThisWeekWithCars]

No this was in my town in Iowa.

[@eldoradony]

This looks like it was designed by the same team that designed the retractable hardtops of the 50's. Not exactly a car to take a road trip with if you plan on going topless, but beautiful and sleek looking.

[@hflivares1824]

French Peugeot maker invention in the 30ties. Watch on you tube : 302 eclipse en phase de capotage. The 302 is a 1935 model. Nevertheless I am fond of Ford Thbird convertible (Thelma et Louise is one of my favourite American movie)

[@jameslonergan5840]

Sounds like a few of those joints need a little lubrication...

[@fordlandau]

Launching a moon rocket is less complex.

[@randallfrank5682]

A beautiful car, but I would hate to get caught in a rain storm with the top down. The top on my 2006 Toyota Solara goes down or up in 1/2 that time.

[@christos7440]

You selling this thing?

[@m.r.1466]

Does that top have hydraulic valves or is it fully electric?

[@Oldbmwr100rs]

Hydraulic for the top and trunk lid, electric motors drive trunk hold down and cover flap.

[@m.r.1466]

Oldbmwr100rs thank you

[@charlie6629]

I've never seen a bird that year without power windows and I don't see any air conditioner panels. I find that odd. We had a brand new one with power everything and one heck of a cold AC.

[@sosco22]

I thought the motor had to be running?

[@steverector6850]

It sounds like a threshing machine

[@johnhaller7017]

This gives new meaning to the much overused word A-W-E-S-O-M-E!

[@andymantoronto]

Such a nice car, but wow that roof is slow, society had a lot more patience back then :)