For Sale: 1961 Ford Thunderbird in Morgantown, Pennsylvania

1961 Ford Thunderbird Convertible

"Thunderbird is the choice of the person who wants to be envied. There are other makes and models currently offered that will attract more attention, but even in car blase Southern California the general public's reaction to the '61 Thunderbird is remarkable. As you thread your way through traffic you are at first unconscious of anything untoward happening, but you soon feel all eyes upon you, not just enviously in all instances, but sometimes downright jealousy!" Car Life magazine, 1961

For consignment, a 1961 Ford Thunderbird convertible with a title verified 120,435 actual miles. This one's been owned by our consignor for 40 years, comes with a fiberglass cowling that turns the car into a two seater, and has a win under its belt from the first Radnor Concours d'Elegance.

Exterior
This first year bullet bird wears a coat of two stage Corinthian White paint, accented by a top trim piece that hugs the front fender and travels all the way to the back where it tops some modest fins. The flat nosed grille is flanked by protruding chrome sides that also accent the profile while double headlights are inset in ribbed bezels that pick up on the grille bars, a few of which show some surface rust. Plenty of metalwork in the car including the ornamental spears, all four of them, or the rear fender. In back, chrome encircles the epic round tail lights then flows onto the straight bumper. 14-inch chrome wire wheels dress the car up, the rears partially obscured by the fender skirt, and a newer black canvas top and big clear plastic window top this classy convertible. Imperfections include a few bubbles down low, scratches on the chrome, and a rust through near the right tail light.

Interior
Dramatic door panels include horizontal bars on the lower third and a striated band of polished trimmed aluminum under black vinyl uppers, both in nice shape with some cracking on the driver's side vinyl. They open wide to allow access to the black bucket seats with stitched inserts and in nice shape, mirrored by the rear 2+2, all over black loop carpet that shows some minor fading on the driveshaft tunnel in back as it faces the sun. Up front, a glossy black steering wheel and its metal horn ring front a fantastic instrument cluster, three protruding cylinders housing gauges, the speedometer, and a clock. Behind it, knobs of all kinds in metal under a broad, black brow of the dash pad. The ribbed mid panel, (remember the bezel?), spans the width of the dash, and wonderfully drops to form the center console in a continuous flow of ribs interrupted only by the vent lever panel. Just above it, an AM/FM radio and courtesy light. There are some wrinkles on the armrest and some tears on the door windlace trim, but overall the interior is in nice condition.

Drivetrain
The bay presents cleanly and houses a 390ci V8 rated at an impressive 300 horsepower and drinking from a 4-barrel carburetor. It's mated to a Cruise-O-Matic 3-speed automatic transmission that routes power to the Ford 9" in back with 3.00 gears.

Undercarriage
Driver quality conditions underneath with some typical surface rust, peeling paint, and road dirt but overall clean and orderly. Power drum brakes are employed on all four wheels, and the dual exhaust finds a H-pipe, then stock style mufflers before emitting a small tailpipe. Suspension consists of coil springs up front and leaf springs in the rear.

Drive-Ability
When we start her, we note a valve tap and engine miss right away, so curtail our test to a functional one and in that, note the clock and automatic top not working. All other functions inside the car and exterior lights work as they should. 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.

Of all the Thunderbirds we've represented over the years, the '61 is the least common. That's not to say they were rare, more than 80,000 were produced in 1961 including 10,000 convertibles. Maybe people love them so much they hold on to them, or loved them so much they used them until the wheels fell off. Here's a well preserved example that's ready to fly again with some needed TLC.

1Y73Z167124

1-1961
Y-Wixom, MI Assy Plant
73-Thunderbird Convertible
Z-390ci 4bbl 300hp V8
167124-Sequential Unit Number

WARRANTY PLATE

BODY 76A-Thunderbird Convertible
COLOR M-Corinthian White
TRIM 56-Black Vinyl
DATE 14G-September 14th
TRANS 4-Cruise O Matic
AXLE 6-Ford 9" 3.00 Conventional

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!