“The Thunderbird had been on my radar for a few years, I loved the shape, the rectangle taillights, and the shiny chrome everywhere, even inside.
The mid-sixties were a time when American automakers were experimenting with all sorts of new technology. In the ‘65 Thunderbird, Ford introduced sequential indicators in the taillights. Amazingly, they still work after 59 years.
The Thunderbird has sequential indicators in the taillights. Photo by Jessie Casson.
The ‘swing-away’ steering wheel was another innovation. It’s a really convenient feature that helps you slide into the driving seat without having to contort around the steering wheel; once you are seated you simply click it back into place.
The interior is styled like a jet cockpit with individual gauges in chrome pots and a ‘ribbon’ speedometer, which is a red line that grows as you increase speed. The rear seat looks like a wrap-around sofa.
My sixteen-year-old daughter and I picked the car up in Nelson and road tripped back to Auckland. She wanted to play music from the same year as the car, so we sung along to hit songs from 1965 like Can’t Help Myself by the Four Tops.
Classic details from 1965. Photo by Jessie Casson.
I’ve made a few modifications, like adding the alloy wheels and the obnoxiously loud exhaust, as you do when you have 6.4 litres. The sound makes the experience so much better, especially when driving through tunnels! As the world slowly turns to silent hybrids and EVs, it’s nice to listen to the fire-breathing big block V8 echoing off surrounding buildings…
The ‘swing-away’ steering wheel is another convenient feature. Photo by Jessie Casson.
Over the years we have been to a couple of Beach Hops and chauffeured a few weddings for friends. The Thunderbird has been reliable, built in a time before cars weren’t algorithms on wheels. It just needs fuel, a spark and water to get it rolling."
Do you have a vehicle that could be a contender for Wheel Love?
From vintage rides to unique motorbikes, EVs and dream cars, send us an email with your Wheel Love car story and you might be featured in a future issue of AA Directions!
Explore more from AA Directions magazine while you're here:
- The AA Research Foundation has identified a low-cost fix for dangerous rural crossroads.
- Discover art deco architecture, great food and exceptional wine in Hawke's Bay.
- Step inside a woodworker's rustic, handcrafted home.
