This 1966 Ford Thunderbird Town hardtop coupe was sold new at Sanderson Motor Company in Petaluma, California, and is said to have remained in California until 2011. It is powered by a 428ci V8 paired with a three-speed automatic transmission and is finished in light blue over Silver Mink vinyl upholstery. Equipment includes a Town-style steel hardtop roof, 15″ steel wheels with covers, quad headlights, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, a reclining front-passenger seat, a CD stereo, and air conditioning. This Thunderbird is offered by the seller on behalf of their father’s estate with a New Jersey title in the late owner’s name.

Town versions of the hardtop coupe and Landau coupe were introduced for the 1966 model year and featured a redesigned top with a more squared-off C-pillar and without the rear quarter-windows found on the standard coupe. This example left the factory finished in Diamond Blue and was repainted under prior ownership. Additional features include a Town-style steel hardtop roof, a wrap-around chrome front bumper, quad headlights, gun-sight front turn signals, sequential rear turn signals, full-width taillights, and a chrome pinched-loop-style rear bumper. Close-up images of exterior blemishes are provided in the gallery.

The 15″ steel wheels wear star-style covers and are mounted with a non-matching set of tires. The car came equipped from the factory with power steering, and stopping power is provided by power-assisted front discs and rear drums.

The shell-contour front bucket seats and curved rear bench are upholstered in Silver Mink vinyl. Amenities include a power-adjustable driver seat, a reclining front-passenger seat with an adjustable headrest, a CD stereo, and SelectAire air conditioning. The right-side power window does not work, and discoloration is visible in the carpet near the driver’s seat.

The two-spoke steering wheel frames a horizontal-sweep 120-mph speedometer and supplementary gauges. The five-digit odometer shows 47k miles, approximately 1,400 of which were added under current ownership.

The Q-code 428ci V8 is fitted with a four-barrel carburetor and was factory rated at 345 horsepower and 462 lb-ft of torque. An oil leak is noted.

Power is sent to the rear wheels through a Cruise-O-Matic three-speed automatic transmission.

Decoding the door tag reveals the following information:

• Body: 63C – Two-door Town hardtop
• Color: N – Diamond Blue
• Trim: 21/51 – Silver Mink Vinyl
• Date: 12L – November 12th build
• DSO: 72 – San Jose Ordering District
• Axle: 1 – 3.00:1 Rear axle gear ratio
• Transmission: 4 – C6 Automatic XPL