How many 1966 Ford Thunderbird convertibles were made?
The 1966 Ford Thunderbird marked a transition year for the iconic personal luxury car, offering a convertible variant that today attracts collectors. Exact production figures for 1966 Thunderbird convertibles are not published in a single definitive Ford record, and numbers vary by source.
In general terms, credible sources place the convertible production in the low thousands—typically a few thousand units—though there is no universally agreed-upon figure. The precise count depends on whether certain variants (such as Landau-equipped convertibles) are included and how archival data is interpreted.
Where the numbers come from
Several sources are commonly cited by enthusiasts and historians when estimating 1966 Thunderbird convertible production.
- Ford's internal production records from the Dearborn and Wixom plants, often cited in reference books and archival summaries.
- The Thunderbird Club International (TCI) annual production tallies and model-year summaries.
- Motor-vehicle data compilations and reputable car-history publications, such as Hemmings Motor News, which assemble factory literature and build totals.
- Auction catalogs and classic-car databases that preserve period brochures and factory-order data.
Taken together, these sources indicate that convertibles were a minority of 1966 Thunderbird production, and numbers vary due to counting conventions and gaps in archival data.
Why figures vary
Discrepancies arise from how collectors and historians define a "convertible" for this model year, potential regional production differences, and whether variants with premium trim (like Landau-style coupes) are counted as convertibles or as a separate body style. In addition, record-keeping practices of the era sometimes segmented data by trim, region, or plant, complicating direct apples-to-apples comparisons.
How to verify the exact figure
If you want to pin down a specific convertible count for 1966, a methodical approach using a mix of primary and credible secondary sources is advised.
- Access Ford's historical production records from the period, via corporate archives or published compilations used by researchers.
- Consult Thunderbird Club International's year-by-year tallies to see how they define and aggregate convertibles.
- Cross-reference with Hemmings, Car History, and similar repositories that cite factory literature and brochures.
- Review contemporary period brochures or factory-order sheets to understand option packages and how the convertible designation was applied in 1966.
With careful cross-referencing, you can narrow to a figure that aligns across primary documentation and credible secondary sources. Be aware that some collectors apply different cutoffs for what counts as a "convertible" (pure convertible versus convertibles with certain trim packages).
Notes for collectors
Because production tallies can shift with new archival discoveries, always check the date and edition of any source. When citing numbers, specify whether you are counting factory-equipped convertibles only or including particular variants as defined by the source.
Summary
In short, the exact number of 1966 Ford Thunderbird convertibles is not universally fixed in public records. Most credible references place it in the low thousands, but the precise figure depends on counting conventions and source materials. For researchers and collectors, triangulating between Ford’s original production data, club tallies, and reputable automotive history publications is the best practice.
What is the value of a 1966 Ford Thunderbird convertible?
Typically, you can expect to pay around $16,938 for a 1966 Ford Thunderbird in good condition with average spec. The highest selling price of a 1966 Ford Thunderbird at auction over the last three years was $60,900.
What was the last year of the Ford Thunderbird convertible?
With sales dropping significantly after its first model year, Ford discontinued the eleventh-generation Thunderbird after the 2005 model year; the final vehicle was manufactured on July 1, 2005.
How many 1966 Thunderbird convertibles were built?
Options and accessories: The 1966 Thunderbird had power steering, power windows, power vent windows, power seats, power antenna, am-fm radio, retractable top, swing away wheel, and seat belts. Production: 69,170 1966 Thunderbirds. Only 5049 were convertibles!
How many 1966 convertibles were made?
In 1966, Ford produced a total of 72,119 Mustang Convertibles, making it a relatively rare variant compared to the coupe or fastback models. This was the golden days for Ford and the Mustang was the centerpiece.
