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Thread: Ford Thunderbird (3rd gen) 1961-1963

  1. #1
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    Ford Thunderbird (3rd gen) 1961-1963

    Ford Thunderbird (third generation)

    1961 saw new and much sleeker styling for the Ford Thunderbird. Sales were strong, if not quite up to record-breaking 1960, at 73,051 including 10,516 convertibles. A new, larger 390 cu in (6.4 L) FE-series V8 was the only engine available (in 1961). The Thunderbird was 1961's Indianapolis 500 pace car, and featured prominently in US President John F. Kennedy's inaugural parade, probably helped along by the appointment of Ford executive Robert McNamara as Secretary of Defense.

    The Thunderbird for 1961 introduced several firsts for the automotive market. The most distinctive feature of the 1961 to 1963 Thunderbirds was the highly touted 'Swing Away' steering wheel. With the transmission 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. Other innovations include a floating rear view mirror. Common on all autos produced today, this feature was first found on 1961 Thunderbirds. Depending on variable options Thunderbirds for 1961 could be purchased with options like air conditioning, power windows, power seats, AM radio, fender skirts and white wall tires. Several standard features, like power steering and power brakes, back up lights and bucket seats were costly options on most other autos.

    1962 saw strong production figures of 78,011 (including 9,884 convertibles) and the introduction of the Thunderbird Sports Roadster. The Sports Roadster was a limited production version of the convertible which added 48 spoke Kelsey Hayes designed wire wheels, special badges to the front fenders and a passenger side grab bar to the front dashboard. The most striking addition to the Sports Roadster was a fiberglass tonneau cover which covered the back seat of the car and created a two seater appearance. 1,427 Sports Roadsters were produced in 1962, including 120 models with the special M Code option noted below. Early models suffered from problems related to their specially designed wire wheels. The problem was quickly corrected when Elvis Presley was involved in an accident when one of the Kelsey Hayes wheels collapsed during hard turning.

    Another addition for 1962 was a special engine code (VIN engine code M) which added a tripower or three two barrel setup to a higher compression version of the 390 engine. This engine 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. This engine boasted 345 hp (257 kW) but was considered a moderate failure. The engine option was quietly discontinued halfway through the mid 1963 production run.

    Also introduced in 1962 was the Landau model, with a vinyl roof and simulated S-bars on the rear pillars. This was the beginning of the 1960s/1970s fashion for vinyl roof treatments, and a vinyl roof was a popular Thunderbird feature for the next twenty years.

    Changes for 1963 were relatively mild. Some additions to the option list included vacuum assisted door locks and an AM/FM radio; an AM radio and a remote drivers side mirror became standard. 1963's numbers were down at 63,313. The Landau became the number 2 model after the standard hardtop, at 12,193 sold. Landaus added simulated wood grain trim to go along with the landau top. In addition a Limited Edition "Principality of Monaco" Landau model was introduced. This Corinthian White car, with a white leather interior was personalized with a plaque displaying the owner's name and the car's limited production number, was limited to and sold only 2,000 units. Only 5,913 convertibles and 455 Sports Roadsters sold, indicating a decline in convertible popularity at the time.

    There was some speculation that due to the wedge appearance that the Thunderbird would be renamed as a Lincoln to coincide with the new Lincoln Continental introduced at this time.

    Year / Production
    1961 73,051
    1962 78,011
    1963 63,313
    Total 214,375
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    Last edited by Duell; 10-15-2012 at 10:34 AM.
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  2. #2
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    Ford Thunderbird 1962
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    Ford Thunderbird 1963
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  4. #4
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    Good stuff, Duell.

    The Bulletbird is probably the best-looking generation of the Thunderbird, but as a car it's a lot like the Audi TT; there isn't much going on under the nice lines.

    Unlike the personal luxury models from GM (the Riviera in '63, the Toronado in '66, and the Eldorado in '67) the Thunderbird was neither sporty and fast like the Riv nor novel and innovative like the Caddy and Olds and in my opinion the Toronado is the stylistic equal of this Thunderbird and the Riviera far exceeds it. This was also the peak of the Thunderbird and it was all downhill after that. FoMoCo's other personal luxury car, the Lincoln Mark series, stopped looking good after the III leaving the Boattail Riviera as the only attractive car in the segment until that went away in '73. I still don't quite understand personal luxury cars, but like them none-the-less.

    These were really just posemobiles which is why hotrodders and nascent muscle-car fans eschewed these models, but the "kustom" krowd and the buying public lapped them up.
    Ramming home this point was the Sports Roadster package, which was another triumph of style over substance. Yet, for some reason I love 'em (No, thanks on the TT front, though ).
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    Ford Thunderbird (3rd gen) #4

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    Ford Thunderbird (3rd gen) #7

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