Vehicle Description
1962 Ford Thunderbird Convertible
The 1962 Ford Thunderbird design gave us the "bullet bird" with its
rounded to a point front end to the twin turbine rear tail lights.
We were firmly into the jet age, beehive hairdos, fedora wearing,
pipe smoking suburban dads, and the white picket fence surrounding
the New England style house. With its recently added second row,
the Thunderbird continued its appeal to a wider audience but was
still considered a personal luxury vehicle.
For consignment, a 1962 Ford Thunderbird convertible showing 84,720
miles, but the true miles are unknown. This car was the recipient
of restorative measures over a number of years and receipts dated
1996 to 2017 will accompany the car as documentation of the
work.
Exterior
Having only recently departed from the '50, many early '60's cars
ascribed to the more chrome is better ideology and this '62
Thunderbird is fronted by an at once simple and complex fascia with
a grille that reminiscent of the '58 Riviera, with rows of
individual squares taking up the air intake area and bold chrome
borders serving as the frame. In back, a long stretch of straight
chrome connects the rocket influenced afterburner tail lights which
are also rimmed in the reflective stuff. Viking Blue, a lighter
shade of blue, covers the car which in profile, is indeed shaped
like a long bullet and the side body molding and decorative trim on
the rear quarter panel suggest movement and energy while the fender
skirts offer better airflow at speed. The dark blue canvas top is
in great shape and sports a large rear plastic window, and the
14-inch chrome wire wheels are in very good condition.
Imperfections include cracked paint, chips, as well as pitted and
peeling chrome.
Interior
The attractive door panels with varying linear designs and shades
of blue are quintessential 1960's and the mid panel contains
electric window switches, surely a luxury in '62. Colors and
texture meld seamlessly into the dash where three main gauges
intersect dark blue and light blue and chrome knobs on a ribbed
panel is pure period. That ribbed panel not only spans the width of
the dash, but waterfalls widely onto the center console,
interrupted only by the climate panel. Perched up high in the
center is an AM/FM/Cassette radio with a contoured backplate, and
the blue steering wheel wears a half circle horn ring and while not
pristine, the conditions on the dash are certainly show worthy! The
blue vinyl buckets in front show some discoloration, probably from
exposure to the sun, but the rear seats maintain their uniform
light blue coverage. Blue loop carpet covers the floor and plaid
mats dress the floor in the trunk which opens in reverse to allow
the top to be stowed.
Drivetrain
Under the hood, which opens in the traditional way, we find a clean
390ci V8, rated at a respectable 300 horsepower and fueled by a
single 4-barrel carburetor. It's mated to a Cruise-O-Matic 3-speed
automatic that sends power to the Ford 9" rear and 3.00 gears.
Power brakes are supplied and are configured as drums on all four
wheels.
Undercarriage
Clean driver quality underneath with some surface rust, a light
film of oil on the transmission pan, but no visible leaks. The dual
exhaust hits an H-pipe and then finds stock style mufflers in back
which emit a small tailpipe behind the bumper. Suspension is
standard here, with coil springs in front and leaf springs in the
back.
Drive-Ability
The lean and low convertibles in Thunderbird form provide the
ultimate cruising seating position and ride. With 300 horsepower
underfoot, this Thunderbird accelerates like a Peregrine in a dive,
and by that we mean quickly. With a long nose in front and flat
back behind, it's a little like driving a fancy soap box derby car,
only with all of the bells and whistles you could expect in a mid
60's luxury car. And this well sorted car scored 100 on the
functionality test as we glided back into the eyrie. While Classic
Auto Mall represents that these functions were working at the time
of our test drive, we cannot guarantee these functions will be
working at the time of your purchase.
The 60's Thunderbirds are the unsung heroes of the collector world.
Baby birds are iconic classics, and modern birds provide, well,
modernity. But the unique style and profile of birds like this 1962
are more frequently making "best bet" lists throughout the
collector market and the more distance we gain from that period of
time, the cooler these cars look! Be sure to check out this Viking
Blue example soon.
2Y85Z145829
2-1962
Y-Wixom, MI Assy Plant
85-Thunderbird Convertible
Z-390ci 4bbl 300hp V8
145829-Sequential Unit Number
WARRANTY PLATE
BODY 76A-Thunderbird Convertible
COLOR E-Viking Blue
TRIM 52-Blue Vinyl
DATE 20B-February 20th
DSO 15-Newark
AXLE 1-Ford 9" 3.00 Conventional
TRANS 4-Cruise O Matic
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and
collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate
controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8
acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic
and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the
I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit
www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us
anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.
There is no guarantee of mileage. A $299 Dealer Administrative fee
is not included in the advertised price.
With so many great cars, you know we have a lot to talk about, and
we do that each week on the Classic Auto Mall Podcast with host
Stewart Howden. Stewart discusses new inventory as well as trends
in consignments and car prices, while interviewing celebrities and
automotive professionals about amazing cars and their history. Tune
in each week to the Classic Auto Mall Podcast wherever you enjoy
listening. You can also watch on YouTube!
