Will it run? Barn find 1966 Thunderbird, sitting 32 years!
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- Опубликовано: 13 фев 2020
- Introducing a new project for the channel, our 1966 Thunderbird "Project Flarebird". This car has been sitting since 1988 (at least), and we're gonna try and get it running and driving after 32 years. It's truly a barn find, being stored inside since 1988.
The goal is to drive the car across the country on Route 66, stopping and seeing as many of the classic Americana sights along the way.
Don't forget to subscribe to our channel, and click on the bell to be notified when new videos arrive!
Thanks,
Sean, Christie, and the Auto Anatomy team 
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Listening to your story touches home with me so much! My father and I restore and collect classic fords together. That 51 shoebox you see in my profile pic is a car we just finished a year ago. We gave it the 51 mercury "lead sled" look. We also have a 56 thunderbird, 65 fastback, 64 Galaxie convertible, 56 crown victoria, 69 Mach 1, and a 48 coupe. It has been a dream of mine to take the route 66 path with my father in our cars as well.
You are lucky you found that beautiful bird before we did....lol. I really enjoyed your video and have now subscribed to your channel. I look forward to your mustang videos as well. You seem to have a great platform for how you do your videos and give great explanations for how and what you are doing. Keep up the great work and take care during these crazy times!
Thank you so much for the kind words, and that’s a beautiful shoebox!
We were looking for a long time for the right ‘bird, and got so lucky to find one close to home. I’m ready to start driving this thing, hopefully this week!
@@AutoAnatomy I can't wait to see your first drive video! Thanks for the kind words on the 51. It's one of my favorites. I know it sounds odd considering how much we customized that car but I am an authentic car guy at heart. I love original unchanged classic cars. Alot of people don't like the 51 because we "ruined" the originality of the car.
You have a beautiful bird and I know you and your dad are going to have a great time and create many great memories on this trip!
Bye
This is the first time I've heard the 51 Mercury referred to as a Shoebox... I saw the car off and on over the years when watching American Grafitti, but I didn't know the model and year until a relative mentioned it. Then he told me how the top was shaved down which I found both surprising and interesting. I'll have to do some research and see how it looks compared to the original factory ones.
@@oldiesgeek454 if you take a closer look at the picture you can see we chopped the top 4 inches., Shaved the doors and redesigned the entire front end. It's a 51 ford... Not a mercury. That's why it's called a shoebox.
In my lifetime, I have owned three 1966 T-Birds. All of them were Landaus with 428 engines. I had one that was the same color as this but with a cloth interior. Awesome cars
Great video. Your giving her a new life
Thanks, I hope so!
It is really nice style of the car and it is much better then today
I agree!
I own one same color same package. Beautiful car. Sundust beige.
replace all hose's,check all wiring,test all electrical components,put in new battery,freash gas.check tires, suspension,frame,exhaust,lights.,. If all checks out ,hit the road .. love your story!! I hope you had fun with pop's out on Route 66 🌞
It needed ALL of those replaced (plus some more things) but we made it across country with very few issues!
In the very beginning of the video I was saying remove the plugs and and spray in the cylinders a couple squirts of Marvel mystery oil to possibly free up any rusted frozen rings! Glad you thought of it! Liked the video!
Love the T-bird ! What a great find! 😃
Thank you! It’s gonna be a fun project!
Thanks for sharing this auto. Love watching this
Thank you so much James! This was a very special car, as it was for my dad. He's been daily driving it for the last few months and it's been running perfect ever since. Thanks for watching and checking out our channel!
Sean
That’s my dream car! Your dad is a lucky guy to have a son like you. Great job 👏
Thanks so much!
I know your Dad is going to love this boat and he never has to worry about scraping off barnacles! 😂
Wow! That was amazing! So happy for you and John!
I like the color - good looking Thunderbird!
Thanks man!!
Great series! Love the cross country road trip with your dad!
Thank you so much!
Nice 65 Thunderbird personal lURUXY 1st class
Indeed it is!
Great video!
Thank you! I’m really looking forward to the first drive, hopefully soon!
The color of this Thunderbird is Antique Bronze and the model is the Town Landau with the vinyl roof. The Town Hardtop had the same roofline without the vinyl roof, and there was also the plainer Hardtop Coupe and the Convertible (the Convertible can be quite valuable when restored). The 1964 to 1966 Thunderbird Coupes are still common and affordable...but restoring or replacing the numerous interior trim pieces is expensive. The Thunderbirds of the 1960s are beautifully styled with high build quality.
At some point in its life, it was repainted a slightly darker shade of gold than original. We would likely repaint it back to original color when the time is right. Thankfully most of the interior is in good condition and now that all the vacuum hoses are replaced it all functions appropriately.
Thanks for checking out the videos!
Sean
@@AutoAnatomy The original paint code is on the data plate on the door jamb... an excellent resource.
Glad I found you. I like your approach to starting the car and look forward to the next. I have always like that era T-Bird.
Thank you!
There are a lot of unique things about those birds you don't find on other cars. Have fun with it.
Yeah, I’m finding out all the quirks of these cars. It has been fun! Thanks for watching!
Like sequential turn signals ?? Swing away wheel ?? 😉 I had a ‘69 four door Landau (suicide doors ) with all available options - loved it , miss it.
Hi Sean. I'm enjoying your videos. I am a huge Thunderbird fan, particularly the '64 - '66 series with the 1966 model being my favorite. I own a '66 Thunderbird Town Landau myself, it has 22,250 actual miles on it. In looking at the factory paint on your car in the engine compartment, it sure looks to me like it was Sundust Beige (color code B - on the drivers door data plate). This was a Thunderbird only paint color in 1966 and is actually quite rare. Hoping you will be posting some new videos of the Thunderbird as you continue to progress with the restoration.
Liked and subbed im onboard Loving the storey of the Thunderbird
Old Geezer Thank you!
I want to get into restoration and i seen a 1966 Thunderbird, im watching your videos and get an idea. most likely im going to keep the car as a "Garage Mascot" and work on more cars in the future and keep the car heritage alive!
Thanks so much! Let me know if I can help you out
Good luck with that 66 T- bird! Cool car !!! I had to replace the heater core on one, back in 1978? It took me 6 hours, to just get to it. 2-3 more hours the next day to get it out. It had the 390 cu in engine, but man that car would go like anything. If I remember, I think it needed the Premium leaded gas....Smooth car...
Oh wow! That sounds terrible replacing the heater core. Hopefully I don't have to go through that much. Thanks for watching the videos, and don't forget to subscribe and share with your friends!
@@AutoAnatomy I just found your channel, and subscribed. I'm no mechanic, but toiled for years maintaining my own cars, and my family members cars. I could not handle rebuilding carburetors...That 66 Bird is one slick car. You'll get many thumbs up for sure...peace out.
That T Bird is flawless my dream car is a 2002-05. T Bird convertible Hard top fully loaded my 50th Birthday to myself I'm restoring a 97 a new repaint low miles V6 taking my time with it love old school Thunderbirds Cougar and Marks
Derrick Jackson Awesome! Always worth pursuing your dreams now rather than waiting until you cant enjoy them! Thanks for watching, and you’ll get that new bird!
I got a place i buy all my cars at they're searching
This is my # 334-498-7524
Hi Sean, I to just got a 66 Tbird and I am doing the same thing,I would like to go from Boston and drive RT66 at some point. I am new to this forum so if i doing wrong,soory! I wound up replacing the carb,manifold,alternator,water pump,fuel pump,radiator all belts and hoses so far,runs good now. I am also going thru all systems. Previous owner removed all ac parts,including all the vacuum tanks and hoses,thats my goal right now,what a job! Anyway,good luck with your project and i will be checking back to see,thanks
Joseph, that sounds awesome! Thanks for checking in, and good luck with your project!
That style of carb, you can completely move the top of it while the engine is running. Unique design. I had a 66 Tbird which I had in my wedding , restored by myself. Wish I still had it
Yeah, the Autolite 4100 is a little finicky, but works well now! Have any pics of the car? Would be fun to include a few in a coming video. You can email them to me at AutoAnatomy@icloud.com
Sean
Great video and congratulations on getting it to run. I have a 66 Tbird myself that I'll maybe be doing some work on this summer.
Get one it! It’s a fun car so far
@@AutoAnatomy They are great looking cars. The electrical parts hmm my least favorite 🤣
Betsy has been woken up from her long nap 💪
Dopey NightlifeTV A long nap it was... Thanks for checking us out!
Wow what a beauty always did like those T Birds they were so highly sought-after and so well-liked back in the day that they actually had to come all with the new ones you know well not new now but newer and if you look at them they almost look the same kind of but anyway She's a Beauty take good care of her good video make some more please stay safe stay well and as always God bless
Thank you so much, and we hope to keep making videos y'all like to watch!
Oh yeah by the way I really like Marvel Mystery Oil for the clean-out myself also works wonders just pouring it through a carburetor while the vehicle is running but so does water it will break loose all of the crap off the valves on an older engine by spraying water into the carburetor at about 2500 RPMs
I'm a huge fan of Marvel Mystery Oil in general. I use it in the crankcase and tank of every barn find!
How fun, get it running and a trip to top it off.
Make sure to check out the videos of the Rte 66 trip, it was so much fun. Depending on COVID, we're talking about doing the Hot Rod Power Tour in the car in 2021.
@@AutoAnatomy I always wanted to do the power tour, I had a '70 Chevelle SS LS5.
Thirty two years ago... I was romancing Ronda, Natalie, Gail, Karen.
Hey. I just came across your channel. I like what you have going on. I subbed your channel so I can keep up with what you have going on. Drop around to the Dog House and see the trouble that I get into. Thanks for sharing.👍👍
Thanks for checking out my channel, and I’ll swing by and see what’s going on with yours.
Awesome, i have a 66 390, it is pretty kickass.
Very cool! Hope you enjoy the build. Don’t forget to subscribe and check out the other content on our channel! Thanks for watching!
Cool old car. I had a 66 just like. The turn signals in the quit. The 1 2 3 it took me four relays to get them to work. . Got a devorce guess which car she took. Oh well it happens,
The turn signals are a common issue to fail (from what I read). Hopefully you’ll get another dream ride someday. Thanks again for watching!
My dad has the same car and has been sitting probably about the same time. I also wanted to try and get it running too.
They are so much fun! Let me know if you need some help getting it up and running!
Sean
@@AutoAnatomy I will thanks. I’m still trying to get him to let me work on it.
i have never seen anyone disassemble, clean and reassemble a carb that fast
Thanks, I've been doing some speed drills!
Of course it runs, it's a Ford! Subscribed!
Thank you!
Nice ride. How many miles on her
James Brocks 108k, it’s pretty clean for a 50 year old car!
Did u mention what you paid for her? Or did i miss it. I had a 71, never shoulda sold it.
I’m picking up a 65 Tbird on Tuesday. Did you have any issues getting her on the uhaul car trailer?
Congratulations! I was concerned about it fitting but it did great and I had zero problems on the way home. Towed it over an hour through the mountains without a hiccup.
Enjoyable vid.Did you soak the carb in a special fluid?
cheers.
Just Berryman carb cleaner and then rinsed in a water-based cleaner like Simple Green
I have a 1988 thunderbird turbocoupe. It's ready for the road. But covid19 needs to clear 1st. No dmvs open here....
Those are fun cars. With a little work, that 2.3 can make a lot of power.
@@AutoAnatomy I did a short test drive on her. And the turbo works. Very fast car. And a smooth ride
John sent me.
Doug Abbott Welcome, hope you enjoy the videos!
No problems towing with a uhaul trailer? I'm getting ready to tow my '65 and didn't know if it was too heavy.
Nope, did great! The car BARELY fits on there but once on it had zero problems.
I am considering one of these as well. They are so less expensive than any cool car from that era... Mustangs, Camaros, etc... Wonder why!
Dario Pranckevicius they are such cool rides! Thanks for watching!
What about the gas in the gas tank? I’m sure it’s contaminated after sitting for so long? Did you clean it out?
New fuel tank
Auto Anatomy Thank you for your response. I saw the new gas tank later in that episode.
What kind of parts cleaner was that?
It was originally intended to field clean military weapons. I picked it up at a swap meet and it was really nice but very heavy. The walls are actually stainless steel. I sold it prior to moving to S.C.
Sean
GREAT project, is it the 390 or 352 cu in?
Thanks! It’s a 390
Thunderbirds never came with 352s for 1966, they came with either a 390 or a then-new 428.
@@theone5716 I always liked the look of the 64 to 66 TBIRD
@@mrnovacan2158 The '64-'66 look very nice with that bullet shaped nose and luxury bucket seat interior. I have a '66 Galaxie with the same motor as this T-bird and it's beautiful to drive in the summer and fall.
@@theone5716 We had a 1966 Galaxie XLT 2 door hardtop back in 1969 had the 390 4 barrel was white with a black top and red interior,that was a lovely car and it would go like a scalded cat!
Is this car Sahara Brown?
Jrblanke Not sure about the name, but it’s gold. Thanks for watching and checking out our channel
Still using the 32 yr old gas in the tank? You show using fresh gas as a prime (in the bottle) but don't say anything about what it's running so well on after that prime "squirt" is long gone. I'm confused as that gas in the tank should be little more than varnish after that amount of time. :^/ Great looking old bullet nose, though!!!
Nah, was running on a 5gal tank next to the car initially. Thanks for checking out the video!
@@AutoAnatomy Ahhhh..... okay then. That makes more sense!! :^)
Sorry, none of the 1958-1966 T-Birds are "giant land yachts" They are quite small.
By today’s standards for a full size car, they’re huge. For the time, not that big
@@AutoAnatomy My standards have not changed. Compacts are 1961-1963 Buick Skylarks, Ford Falcons and Chevy Novas. Mid sized are 1964-1972 Buick Skylarks, Ford Fairlanes and Chevy Malibus. Full sized are Buick LeSabre, Ford Galaxies and Chevy Imaplas. Personal luxury cars are Buick Rivieras and Ford Thunderbirds. And luxury sized cars are Buick Electras, and Cadillac Fleetwoods. (Ford division did not make a luxury sized car). I currently drive 1994-1996 Buick Roadmasters. They are full sized cars and a LOT bigger than these T-Birds. My luxury sized car is a 1996 Cadillac Fleetwood. And even that Fleetwood with it frame and chassis based on 1971 full sized GM cars handles better than these T-Birds. These T-Birds oscillate down the road. They are about as stable as a pogo-stick. But damn, they are beautiful cars.
You gave away the whole thing in the first seconds of the video. We know the thing runs.
For me, it's about the journey to getting it running. Thanks for watching!
Your work was great, but you really screwed up with the initial infusion of gas. Mentioning on RUclips that your wife enhances her hair color!. Narragansett Bay.
Ha, good point!
Introduktion of video destroy the Will it start moment totaly!!!
Hans Petersson I thought about that. Sometimes, people just fast forward to the end of the video to see it start. My thinking was if I go ahead and show it starting 1st, maybe people won’t fast forward through the entire video. Thanks for watching!
@@AutoAnatomy Then again, maybe they won't watch the whole thing.
Not being rude or anything but I would never believe the stories about these cars never ever
What do you mean?