Vehicle Description
Ford introduced their third generation Thunderbird in 1961 and were
quickly given the nickname 'Bullet Bird.' The cars nickname evolved
from its pointed nose, a very symmetrical shape, round taillights
inspired by a jet engine, modest fins, and projectile inspired
lines. The styling reflected the era in which it was hatched; the
early 1960s was the Space Age and the concerns over the Cold War.
This third generation bird no doubt took its creative styling cues
from rocket ships and air bound projectiles. The 1961 Thunderbird
was given the honor of serving as the pace car for the Indianapolis
500. Fifty Thunderbirds were used by president-elect John F.
Kennedy in his inaugural procession. The public also agreed with
the vehicles styling, buying over 70,000 units in its first year.
This 1961 Ford Thunderbird Hardtop Coupe was offered for sale at
the Vintage Motor Cars sale at Hershey, PA presented by RM
Auctions. It was estimated to sell for $30,000 - $40,000. It was
offered without reserve and sold for the high bid of $25,300
including buyer's premium. The car is fitted with an overhead valve
V8 engine with four-barrel carburetor and a displacement size of
390 cubic-inches. The 300 horsepower is sent to the rear wheels
through a three-speed automatic gearbox and kept in the drivers
control via four-wheel drum brakes. It is finished in Burgundy with
an Oyster colored interior. It has been treated to a cosmetic
restoration since new and has traveled only 26,350 miles since
leaving the factory. Factory options included on this car include
power steering, power brakes, dual outside mirrors, tinted glass,
fender skirts, power windows, power locks, factory radio, and wide
whitewall tires. By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2007 The 1961 Ford
Thunderbird was completed new; they were wider, lower, longer and
heavier than the prior year's model. Standard equipment included a
new 390 cubic-inch V8, power steering, power brakes, and a
cruise-O-Matic transmission. The 2-door hardtop sold for $4,170 and
proved to be very popular with a total of 62,535 examples sold. A
total of 10,516 examples of the convertible were sold at the base
price of $4640. The overhead valve 390 cubic-inch V8 was given a
Holley four-barrel carburetor and produced 300 horsepower. The
Thunderbird Special V8 engine was also a 390 CID unit with Holley
four-barrel carburetors but a higher compression horsepower and 375
available horsepower. A final engine, the Thunderbird Special V8
was similar to the other engines but with three Holley two-barrel
carburetors and 400 horsepower.
