For Sale at Auction: 1962 Ford Thunderbird in Auburn, Indiana

The 1962 Ford Thunderbird Convertible was part of the model's dramatic third generation, often referred to as the "Bullet Bird," a design that marked a significant evolution from the original two-seat Thunderbird of 1955. By this time, Ford had firmly repositioned the Thunderbird as a personal luxury car, emphasizing comfort, advanced features, and futuristic styling over outright sportiness. Introduced in 1961, this generation showcased a clean, jet-inspired design with crisp body lines, a formal roofline on coupes, and a well-proportioned convertible that retained a sleek, low-slung profile. Engineering advancements were central to the Thunderbird's appeal. The 1962 Convertible featured a sophisticated power-operated soft top, along with a host of luxury options including power windows, power steering, and an available swing-away steering wheel, an innovation that made entry and exit far easier. Under the hood, Ford's reliable 390-cubic-inch V-8 engine delivered smooth, torque-rich performance suited to effortless cruising. Within the lineup, the Thunderbird Convertible also served as the foundation for the limited-production Sport Roadster option. This package added a fiberglass tonneau cover, giving the car the appearance of a two-seat roadster, along with wire wheels and special trim. Today, the 1962 Thunderbird Convertible stands as a hallmark of early 1960s American design, combining innovation, elegance, and versatility, whether enjoyed in standard form or as the more dramatic Sport Roadster. Built at the Wixom, Michigan assembly plant, this Thunderbird was originally born a convertible and equipped with the sport roadster package. Among the most desirable Thunderbirds, the sport roadster package includes the removable rear seat fiberglass tonneau cover, Kelsey-Hayes wire wheels, specific fender badging, and a passenger dashboard grab bar, all of which this example has. The body is finished in an under-the-radar, but pleasing, bronze that blends with the tan interior and white convertible soft top. Under the hood lies a 390-cubic-inch V-8 engine dressed in chrome and paired with a Cruise-O-Matic three-speed automatic transmission. Features are plentiful on this luxury T-Bird and include power steering, power brakes, power windows, dual spotlights, and a radio. Known history of this Thunderbird starts with Dan Velasquez of Marion, Indiana, who sold it to Gary Thompson of Thompson Motors in Gas City, Indiana. Gary would then sell this example via the 1998 Auburn Spring Auction, where The Dane Miller Collection would acquire it. This T-Bird is accompanied by an owner's manual, the 1998 Auburn Spring Auction bill of sale, as well as service records. A well-balanced blend of jet-age styling and luxury innovation, this Sport Roadster-equipped Thunderbird presents a unique opportunity to own one of the more distinctive American personal luxury convertibles of its era for the first time in 27 years. * Desirably equipped with the Sport Roadster package
* Acquired by The Dane Miller Collection at the 1998 Auburn Spring Auction
* 390-cid V-8 engine paired with a Cruise-O-Matic automatic transmission
* Equipped with power steering, power brakes, power windows, and dual spotlights

The 1962 Ford Thunderbird Convertible was part of the model's dramatic third generation, often referred to as the "Bullet Bird," a design that marked a significant evolution from the original two-seat Thunderbird of 1955. By this time, Ford had firmly repositioned the Thunderbird as a personal luxury car, emphasizing comfort, advanced features, and futuristic styling over outright sportiness. Introduced in 1961, this generation showcased a clean, jet-inspired design with crisp body lines, a formal roofline on coupes, and a well-proportioned convertible that retained a sleek, low-slung profile.

Engineering advancements were central to the Thunderbird's appeal. The 1962 Convertible featured a sophisticated power-operated soft top, along with a host of luxury options including power windows, power steering, and an available swing-away steering wheel, an innovation that made entry and exit far easier. Under the hood, Ford's reliable 390-cubic-inch V-8 engine delivered smooth, torque-rich performance suited to effortless cruising.

Within the lineup, the Thunderbird Convertible also served as the foundation for the limited-production Sport Roadster option. This package added a fiberglass tonneau cover, giving the car the appearance of a two-seat roadster, along with wire wheels and special trim. Today, the 1962 Thunderbird Convertible stands as a hallmark of early 1960s American design, combining innovation, elegance, and versatility, whether enjoyed in standard form or as the more dramatic Sport Roadster.

Built at the Wixom, Michigan assembly plant, this Thunderbird was originally born a convertible and equipped with the sport roadster package. Among the most desirable Thunderbirds, the sport roadster package includes the removable rear seat fiberglass tonneau cover, Kelsey-Hayes wire wheels, specific fender badging, and a passenger dashboard grab bar, all of which this example has. The body is finished in an under-the-radar, but pleasing, bronze that blends with the tan interior and white convertible soft top.

Under the hood lies a 390-cubic-inch V-8 engine dressed in chrome and paired with a Cruise-O-Matic three-speed automatic transmission. Features are plentiful on this luxury T-Bird and include power steering, power brakes, power windows, dual spotlights, and a radio.

Known history of this Thunderbird starts with Dan Velasquez of Marion, Indiana, who sold it to Gary Thompson of Thompson Motors in Gas City, Indiana. Gary would then sell this example via the 1998 Auburn Spring Auction, where The Dane Miller Collection would acquire it.

This T-Bird is accompanied by an owner's manual, the 1998 Auburn Spring Auction bill of sale, as well as service records. A well-balanced blend of jet-age styling and luxury innovation, this Sport Roadster-equipped Thunderbird presents a unique opportunity to own one of the more distinctive American personal luxury convertibles of its era for the first time in 27 years.