For Sale at Auction: 1962 Ford Thunderbird in Scottsdale, Arizona

This 1962 Ford Thunderbird M-Code Sports Roadster is one of 120 produced that has the optional 390ci sports V8 engine, which featured three Holley 2-barreled carburetors and could pump out 340hp. The car is finished in the color combination of a Raven Black exterior with a Pearl Beige interior. Innovations included a 30,000-mile fuel filter and the highly touted first swing-away steering wheel, one of the most distinctive features of the 1962 Thunderbird. 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. Another innovation was a floating rearview mirror; common on all autos produced today, this feature was first found on 1961 Thunderbirds. Depending on variable options, the 1962 Thunderbird could be purchased with options like air conditioning, power windows, power seats, AM radio, fender skirts and whitewall tires. Several standard features, like power steering and power brakes, back up lights and bucket seats, were costly options on most other autos. The Sports Roadster was a limited-production version of the convertible that 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 that covered the back seat of the car and created a two-seater appearance. Another addition for 1962 was a special engine code (VIN engine code M) that added a "Tri-Power" or three 2-barrel setup to a higher-compression version of the 390ci engine. This car comes with Sports Roadster emblems, as well as a Best of Show trophy, gate release and Thunderbird manual.