1961 Ford Thunderbird

Description

The Square 'Bird was out, and the Bullet 'Bird was born in 1961 and the Jet Age kicked into high gear. If you're a fan, then this awesome 1961 Ford Thunderbird hardtop will certainly appeal to you. Spectacularly restored all out of proportion to its value, it's one of the best hardtop 'Birds we've seen in years.

These cars are suddenly seeing some big gains in the market and we have to admit that the practicality and beauty of the hardtop has really made this car grow on us. It's just gorgeous! OK, so the car was originally Raven black, but it was recently refinished in sizzling bright red that looks great on the sleek Thunderbird bodywork. It shines up beautifully and has that classic early-60s look, making it easy to imagine this car on the streets of Miami or L.A. back in the day, going someplace glamorous. All the trim was recently re-chromed, a pricey proposition for a car with this much brightwork, but you'll surely agree that the grille, bumpers, and particularly those side streaks on the rear quarters are what really make this car special. The Thunderbird badges still have simulated turquoise inlays to tie it to its heritage, and the fender skirts make it look long, low, and sleek. There's just no angle from which this car doesn't look like a million bucks.

The matching code 55 red interior gives this Bullet 'Bird a sophisticated look. The upholstery is new, including seat covers, carpets, and door panels, all of which replicate the original stuff in an authentic way. The big news in '61 was the addition of the "swing away" steering wheel, which moves the wheel inboard when you pull the shifter handle towards you, making ingress and egress a snap. Other firsts for the '61 Thunderbird include the floating rear-view mirror, which may seem commonplace today, but this was the first time it was seen in public. The seats are firm and comfortable, and as Ford's top-of-the-line personal luxury car, this 'Bird is loaded with options like power windows and a power driver's seat. The wide center console has slick storage in the center and it neatly divides the front seat area into two symmetrical cockpits that are ultra-stylish, even today. Few cars can rival the big 'Bird's road manners, making it an ideal choice for long road trips, particularly with the massive trunk that includes a full-sized spare tire, just in case.

A 390 cubic inch V8 was the only choice in '61, and as far as we can tell, this is the car's original, numbers-matching powerplant. It's been extensively detailed to look authentic, although the chrome valve covers are a bit of an upgrade that wasn't on the menu in '61. However, the big air cleaner is correct, the expansion tank on the cooling system is pure 1960s Ford performance, and there's even a solvent bag mounted on the inner fender. In fact, please check out how clean those inner fenders are and how thorough the repaint was, since everything shines up well. Underneath it's clean, but not detailed for show and you can see that the car has led an easy life. A new dual exhaust system gives it a fantastic sound, the gas tank has been recently replaced, there are new bushings in the suspension, and it rides on a set of gorgeous chrome wire wheels with wide whitewall radials for a classic look.

This Thunderbird represents a ton of first-class sheetmetal for not a lot of cash. You haven't lived until you've had a Thunderbird in your garage. Call today!