![]() It used 406 heads as well as the same carburetors that were found on the high performance 406 powered Ford Galaxie, but with a modified version of the intake manifold to allow for proper air flow under the engine. The 1962 model year saw strong sales figures of 78,011 units (including 9,884 convertibles).Ī high performance option for 1962 added " tripower" - three two barrel carburetors - to a higher compression version of the 390 engine. The Chrysler 300G was also a powerful personal luxury car rival during 1961.įor 1961 the listed retail price, before optional equipment, was US$4,170 ($40,836 in 2022 dollars ). In luxury and performance, the third generation Thunderbird briefly saw competition from the Studebaker Avanti, before its production ended in 1963. Model options included air conditioning, power windows, power seats, AM radio, fender skirts, and white wall tires. Several standard features, such as power steering and power brakes, back up lights, and bucket seats, were costly options on most other automobiles of the time. Other innovations include a floating rear view mirror, directly attached to the inside of the windshield. To prevent accidents, this disabled the gear selector until the steering wheel was returned to the center position. With the steering column installed transmission gear selector in the park position the steering wheel would slide approximately 18 inches (460 mm) to the right allowing the driver to exit the vehicle easily. The most distinctive feature of the 1961 to 1963 Thunderbirds was the highly touted 'Swing Away' steering wheel. The Thunderbird for 1961 introduced several firsts for the automotive market. ![]() 1961 1961 Ford Thunderbird interior with "Swing-Away" steering wheel Kennedy's inaugural parade, probably aided by the appointment of Ford executive Robert McNamara as Secretary of Defense. The Thunderbird was 1961's Indianapolis 500 pace car, and featured prominently in US President John F. A new, larger 390 cu in (6.4 L) FE-series V8 was the only engine available (in 1961). Sales were strong, if not quite up to record-breaking 1960, at 73,051 including 10,516 convertibles. It featured new and much sleeker styling (done by Bill Boyer) than the second generation models. 63Biscuit went with me to check out the one (which was a heartbreaker, and now a distant second option due to the amount of work I would have to put into it) last night, and I'm headed out solo to look at the other tonight.Īnd thanks for the comments on the steering! It was startling to feel feather-light steering in a 4300 lbs car.The third generation of the Ford Thunderbird is a personal luxury car produced by Ford for the 1961 to 1963 model years. PERFECT time to buy a project car (helps that my fiancee is fully onboard with this) I've managed to scrape together a small cache of money and bumped into two Thunderbirds in my price-range that seemed like a good fit within 10 miles of my home. I'm planning a wedding and about to finance a major remodel of my house. And frequent trips in his Biscayne certainly haven't hurt either (Awesome car, btw, D). ![]() Pre-61 and Post-64 feel wrong to me in one way or another.Ħ3Biscuit is a longtime friend of mine who is responsible for feeding my addiction with weekly links to the HAMB and various Craigslist and Ebay ads. Classic's being rather personal, the design just sits well with me. IMO it's the best looking of all of the Thunderbird vintages. Which swings the obsession to the obtainable and garageable 1961-1963 Thunderbird. ![]() and the realization that bumper to bumper a 64 Conti is about an inch longer than my garage is deep. but it fell through due to the car being less than advertised. I was very close to purchasing a 1964 Lincoln Continental when I joined the board back in April 09. Love the design and feel of the car top to bottom, inside to out. Always had a major thing for the early 60s Lincoln Continentals and Ford Thunderbirds. Classic Car appreciator hoping to take that step into owner. Introduction seemed premature since my current sole vehicle is a 2002 Saturn.Īlright, alright.
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