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For Sale: 1962 Ford Thunderbird in Laguna Beach, California

Vehicle Description

This is a thoroughly restored, very well documented (build sheet and 1962 Bill of Sale) and rare "M" code that has a great color combination and is ready to enjoy! Here is what Wikipedia says: " The M code 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) ..." This particular "M" code coupe remains faithful and maintains originality throughout the car with the correct materials and OEM parts when available. The engine compartment is fully detailed and equally attractive as the exterior or interior. The trunk is also nicely finished with the original trim and there is no evidence of any rust. Here is a video test drive: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOeSunONwB0
The equipment includes power windows, power steering, power brakes, swing-a-way steering wheel, leather interior trim, 4 way power driver's seat, factory tachometer, and wheel skirts.
This tri-power 345 M code runs and drives just like it looks-fantastic! The engines starts easily, pulls smoothly, has gobs of power, and steers and brakes with very little effort.
Here is what the previous owner said about this car:
" You were looking at a very rare and most likely the rarest Thunderbirds
ever built! This is a authentic, documented, true to the core 1962
Thunderbird M-Code Coupe. If purchased this particular car will come with
every single conceivable document to prove its authenticity. It will come
with its original build sheet, dealer invoice, original owners manual,
original window sticker, and anything else that you can possibly imagine.
This car is only one of two coupes ever built with the 3:10 axle rear
end. It is the only M-Code coupe ever to be delivered to New York. It is one
of only three coupes ever built with no factor A/C. It is only one of four
with the Corinthian white exterior and red vinyl interior in 1962. This car
is the second to the last coupes built on July 30th, 1962 with production
ending the very next day. This car was built so late in the 1962 production
run that it retains the original dash and door panels from the factory that
are designed for the 1963 model. Pretty amazing. Last but not least this car
retains its original dealer installed Dixco 8000 RPM tach which is the only
one known to ever exist.
Only a few of you know how rare these Thunderbirds are with this
factory option of three carburetors. Between January 1962 and January 1963
they made approximately 200 or so of these Thunderbirds in four different
body styles. Those body styles are the hardtop coupe, the roadster, the
convertible, and the Landaus Coupe. Even though the roadster might be the
most desirable of these M-Code Thunderbirds the coupe such as this one for
sale is the rarest of all four body styles. Of the 200 or so total M-Codes
ever built there is only 41 documented coupes according to the Thunderbird
registry.
The history of the M-Code cars are very fascinating. According to the
Henry Ford Museum responding to Mr. William A. Wonder dating back to
February 9, 1983 Ford corporate only had figures available for the sport
roadster versions of the M-Code. The other three body styles and their
production numbers have been obtained and documented to the best of anyone's
ability through various collections of V.T.C.A. newsletters, The vintage
Thunderbird Club of America, Hemmings Motor News, and The Thunderbird
Registry. Back in 1962 there was never a road test published on these M-Code
cars when they were new and very rarely is there any reference even made as
to the availability of the special option. Most of the dealerships never
even knew that this option was available from the factory. Therefore the
salesman of these dealerships had no knowledge to even offer this option to
a potential customer looking for a Thunderbird.
Another contributing factor mention by the Henry Ford Museum was that
many of the M-Code owners may have been disappointed in the problems that
often associated with multi-carburetor set ups that lead to Ford Motor
Company replacing the original intake manifold along with the three
carburetors that accompanied the intake with a single four barrel carburetor
version under the factory warranty. This particular car was one of those
cars. Compiled by William A. Wonder himself this particular car was
purchased by a gentleman for his wife's 50th birthday back on August 20,
1962. Her name was Shirley Leibovitz. It was maintained by the same dealer
Carlton Ford Inc. In Brooklyn New York for the first 41,952 miles until the
dealer went out of business. That dealer did remove the original three
carburetors under the factory warranty. The original owner took possession
of the original intake and the three carburetors and kept them in her garage
until she sold her house. Unfortunately she left the set up in the garage
and thought nothing more of it. Of course at the time nobody realized how
rare these vehicles were and it is an amazing story that the original owner
being a woman in the 1960's thought to retain the old parts. As the story
goes she sold the house leaving those parts in her garage. Fortunately the
new owners of the home did not dispose of those valuable parts and the
second owner of this car Noella B. Ashworth tracked down these parts and had
a professional reassemble the motor back to its original state. Wow!
As far as I know being the third owner that this vehicle had a motor
rebuild on April 25, 2012 with only 42,987 original miles shown on the
odometer. The transmission was rebuilt on May 11, 2012 when the car was
showing only 43,111 miles. I do have receipts confirming the motor rebuild
but for some strange reason I have miss placed the invoice for the
transmission rebuild. But this car runs and shifts like a Swiss clock.
More items that have been completed would be new paint, new carpet, New
headliner, re-dyed seats, new floor mats, all new exterior emblems, new
chrome trim on interior, polishing exterior trim, refurbished dash bezel,
rebuilt power break booster and master cylinder, and a good cleaning of the
original undercarriage. The one thing that has not been addressed is the
dash and the arm rests which do have a crack or two. The dash pad is covered
by a dash cover but the armrest are exposed.
Every known mechanical issue has been addressed. This is a full turnkey
vehicle with everything imaginable in working order. It runs, drives, idles,
steers, and tracks beautifully. The last one sold for almost $60,000 at
Auctions America so the asking price for this particular example is a steal.
Please come and inspect the vehicle for yourself or send an inspector. I
highly encourage it. You will not be disappointed!"

Financing with rates of 2.99% APR is available with approved credit. We can also assist in arranging delivery and independent inspections.

Vehicle Details

  • 1962 Ford Thunderbird
  • Listing ID: CC-1011561
  • Price: $34,500
  • Location:Laguna Beach, California
  • Year:1962
  • Make:Ford
  • Model:Thunderbird
  • Exterior Color:Wimbledon White
  • Interior Color:Red
  • Transmission:Automatic
  • Odometer:44214
  • Stock Number:734029
  • VIN:2YM174975
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