This is the easiest visual cue for identifying a 1964 T-Bird from the 19 models that followed. The past year's 'bird' bonnet ornament was replaced with THUNDERBIRD spelt out in large block letters across the bonnet's leading edge. The same quad headlight arrangement from the 1963 'Bird was used for the 1964 models, but with greatly reduced chrome trim. The decorative 'hash' marks on the flanks, which had been shuffled around throughout the lifespan of the Bullet Bird, were gone altogether for the 1964 model, and the 'Thunderbird' script badge was moved to the front guards, aft of the wheelwells. The chrome trim that ran the length of the body along the beltline was gone, while the guards were lowered to be level with the bonnet. This not only helped distinguish the vehicle from its predecessor, but also contributed to making the body more rigid.

The design showed elements of the previous generation 'Bullet Bird', but reflecting the trends of the time, there was much less chrome, and the bodyside sculpting was more pronounced, with a scalloped mid-section that included a small but distinctive 'hip' in line with the door handles. 1964 marked the arrival of the fourth generation of T-Bird, known colloquially as the 'Flair Bird'. Following shaky beginnings, the Thunderbird had grown to become one of Ford's most popular models, as well as being an important image builder for the FoMoCo brand.

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