For Sale: 1961 Ford Thunderbird in Fenton, Michigan

1961 Ford Thunderbird Hardtop - Factory Turquoise/Turquoise - "Bullet Bird" First Year

The 1961 Thunderbird was a full reinvention - an all-new body, an all-new attitude, and one of the most stunning designs Ford ever produced. This is a genuine first-year example of the iconic third-generation "Bullet Bird," built April 6, 1961 at Ford's Wixom, Michigan assembly plant, and it wears its factory colors exactly as delivered.

The numbers don't lie. Color code C - factory Turquoise exterior paired with a full Trim 57 turquoise interior - medium turquoise crinkle vinyl with light turquoise Vachette vinyl buckets. This is a rare, factory-matched color combination. Out of 73,051 Thunderbirds produced in 1961, only 1,139 left the factory in this turquoise paint - roughly 1.6% of total production.

Under the hood is the only engine Ford offered in the 1961 T-Bird: the 390 cubic inch FE-series V8, four-barrel carburetor, 300 horsepower and 427 lb-ft of torque, backed by the 3-speed Cruise-O-Matic automatic. There's nothing subtle about it.

The 1961 Thunderbird made history before most buyers took delivery. It paced the 1961 Indianapolis 500. It rolled in John F. Kennedy's inaugural parade. It introduced the legendary Swing-Away steering wheel - put it in Park and the column glides 18 inches to the right, making entry and exit effortless. These are the details that made the Bullet Bird more than just a car. It was a statement.

About This Car: The odometer reads 89,629 miles. A previous owner repainted the car in the correct turquoise over the original white roof - the color combination reads exactly as it should from any normal distance and photographs beautifully. That said, we believe in full transparency: there are minor areas of orange peel texture near the emblems and door handles where the paint work shows its age up close. It's the kind of thing you notice on a second look, not a first. The interior tells a much better story - the turquoise vinyl buckets are in great shape, and the white headliner is clean and solid. Original factory hubcaps are included. Power windows are functional and operate as expected on a 60-year-old car - they work, with some stiffness typical of the era. Heat works. A period-correct vintage-style radio has been installed in place of the original, keeping the classic look while adding modern reliability.

This is a presentable, drivable, show-ready-from-10-feet Bullet Bird in one of the rarest factory color combinations built - priced accordingly.

390 CID V8 / 300 HP - only engine offered in '61
3-Speed Cruise-O-Matic - smooth and correct
Factory Turquoise exterior / White roof / Turquoise vinyl interior - rare color-matched combination, 1 of only 1,139 built
63A Tudor Hardtop - the iconic Bullet Bird roofline
89,629 miles showing
Original factory hubcaps included
Built April 6, 1961 - Wixom, Michigan
VIN: 1Y71Z139785
1961

Whether you're a serious collector, a show-goer, or someone who simply wants to drive one of the most distinctive Fords ever built, this is the one. Call us today - cars like this don't come around twice.

Payment Options
We accept the following payment methods:
- Wire Transfer
- Cashier's Check
- Cash in person

Vehicle Pickup & Shipping
All shipping charges are buyer's responsibility.
Fees and Taxes
Sales tax, title, license fee, registration fee, dealer documentary fee ($280), finance charges, additional to the advertised price.