Vehicle Description
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.
