Vehicle Description
West Coast Classics are proud to present a highly desirable example
of the third generation of Thunderbirds and an original factory
Sports Roadster, 1 of 1,427 built, a mostly all original example of
this 1962 Ford Thunderbird Sports Roadster which was originally
sold at the 'Dahlberg Bros Inc' Ford dealership of Hopkins, MN and
being sold with the 390 c.i. three two barrel Holley carburetor
setup for the desirable 340HP 3x2 BBL V8 engine matched to it's
original 'Cruise-O-Matic transmission in completely rust free
condition in it's original factory 'Rangoon Red' color (Code J)
paint with a 'Black' interior and with factory options including
bucket seats, full carpeting, with front console, power steering,
power brakes, power windows, power door locks, power front seats,
original AM radio, heater amp; defroster, full instrumentation,
sequential turn signals, and obviously the unique swing-away
steering wheel amp; the Roadster's trunk stored power convertible
top with the car mounted correctly on it's striking Kelsey Hayes
chrome wire wheels with the deletion of the rear fender!The car
will be sold with a copy of its original window sticker and Ford's
original gate release sticker showing original factory added
options including;Convertible Sports Roadster ($5,439)Rangoon
RedWSW ($42)Power Lift Windows ($106)Power Driver amp; Passenger
Seat ($184)Push Button Radio ($112)Tinted Glass ($43)Windshield
Washer ($13)Outside Mirror ($5)Heavy Duty Battery ($7)The
Thunderbird was redesigned in 1961 with sleeker styling from its
previous 'Squarebird' design that gave the bird a renown
'bullet-lie' appearance with an all new bodyshell featuring a
severely pointed front end and the car enjoyed a smoother ride with
much improved handling and soundproofing. The interior design
featured a contoured dash that curved at its outward ends to blend
in with the door panels and the model boasted the first
'Swing-away' steering wheel. A new engine, the 390 c.i. 6.4L V8 was
standard and mated to a three speed automatic transmission. A vinyl
roofed Landau option with simulated S bars was added to the line up
in 1962 as was the legendary Sports Roadster for convertible
models.The Sports Roadster had a special fiberglass tonneau cover
for the rear seats which gave the car the appearance of being a two
seater roadster like the original Thunderbirds from 1955-57. Priced
at over $5,500 when new only 1,427 were built in 1962 and just
another 455 in 1963 making this one very rare and collectible
Ford.Newly optioned for '62 was an upgraded version of the 390 c.i.
V8 named the 'M' code after the designated M used as the engine
code in the VIN number of the very few and rare cars equipped with
this upgrade. The 'M code version of the 390 c.i. V8 was equipped
with no less than three 2 barrel Holley carburetors and produced
340HP. These 'M' code V8 Thunderbirds are exceptionally rare with
some reports showing only some 200 in total being built during its
production years of 1962-3 and obviously very few are left
remaining on the roads today! This particular car is a factory
Sports Roadster with a copy of its original window sticker and the
recipient of a restoration some years ago which is holding up very
well. The car has been garaged in southern California for most of
its life and boasts it's original and highly striking 'Rangoon Red'
factory color paint with a beautiful 'Black' bucket seats interior
and with the floor boards, trunk and all the typical rust-prone
areas all completely solid and rust-free - obviously a mostly
always garaged and cherished car since new. The original spare
wheel with its jack is in the trunk and the car rides on new Coker
tires mounted on its correct Kelsey Hayes chrome wire wheels. The
390 3x2V 340HP 'Thunderbird' V8 engine is extremely strong and
powerful and this particular car drives extremely well and must be
driven to be fully appreciated. The transmission shifts smoothly
through all the gears and the temperature always remains cool! This
is a rare opportunity to own a great daily driving example of an
obviously always garaged coveted and beautiful older restoration
example of a factory 1962 Ford Thunderbird Sports Roadster in very
fine condition throughout and an outstanding example of one of the
outstanding Ford designs of the sixties which has high repute for
both it's beautiful lines and smooth fast performance. In summary,
this is one rare and very sought after and well maintained and rust
free example of this increasingly desirable and collectible factory
1962 Ford Thunderbird Sports Roadster and loaded with desirable
factory options and fully documented, a perfect addition to any
Ford enthusiasts collection or indeed for any American classic car
collector!
