Vehicle Description
Vehicle to be offered for Auction sale WITHOUT RESERVE and SOLD to the highest bidder January 19th - 22nd, 2017 at Russo and Steele's 17th Annual Scottsdale Arizona Auction. Please contact us for more information.
Following the highly successful four-seat 1958-1960 Thunderbird, Ford Motor Company advanced its personal luxury models with the new-for-1961 Thunderbird. Featuring exceptionally clean bodylines, perfect proportions, and a sharply-pointed front profile, the jet-age Thunderbird was aptly nicknamed "Bullet Bird." More than before, Ford offered a wide array of engine choices for the customer who wanted all the comfort the Thunderbird delivered with enough power to embarrass Corvette owners on the street. By 1962, the high-performance 'M-Code' 390 cubic-inch V-8 engine was released, topped by a trio of Holley two-barrel carburetors. This engine produced a stout 340 brake-horsepower rating and moved the "Bullet Bird" with authority. Unlike the Sports Roadster option package that was available for the new Thunderbird either from the factory or as a dealer-installed package, the M-Code Thunderbird 390 engine was only available from the factory.
This 1962 M-Code Thunderbird is registered as vehicle number 27523 with the 1962-1963 "M" Series Registry, compiled by William A. Wonder at www.tbirdregistry.com. The original Build Sheet was located in the springs behind the back seat and supports this classic Thunderbird as being an exceedingly rare, factory-original "Triple Black" Landau roof M-Code car. According to the Vintage Thunderbird Club International (VTCI), only 17 M-Code Hardtops and 5 Landaus are believed to have been produced for 1962.
The current owner completed a title search of this M-Code Landau, identifying only 3 prior owners. The original Californian family owned this incredibly rare and desirable Thunderbird from 1962 until 2005. When purchased by the present owner, this M-Code came with its original license plate and just over 43,000 miles were showing on the odometer. At the time of cataloguing, just over 48,600 miles are indicated.
As offered, this M-Code Thunderbird benefits handsomely from a rigorous "frame up" restoration program that was performed to original factory specifications and multiple show-winning quality. All costs are fully documented and exceed $200,000. During the three-phase restoration, the Thunderbird's mechanical systems, electrical system, suspension, carburetors, interior, and insulation were restored. Vintage Air was added for all-weather passenger comfort. Next, the powerful M-Code engine and transmission were rebuilt, with the engine fitted with a set of customized Edelbrock precision-machined lightweight aluminum cylinder heads.
The Thunderbird's body was stripped, sanded, and disassembled during the final phase of restoration in order to locate, identify, and correct flaws in the metal and any issues with the body. This phase included a detailed frame-up body restoration and painting program, giving focused attention to the engine bay, trunk, weather stripping, chrome, stainless steel, and undercarriage, with all restored to factory standard specifications. This carefully completed process also ensured the ability to identify and preserve all 3 of the Thunderbird's original VIN numbers. Documents on file include an exhaustive annotated history and restoration summary and detailed information sheet. Confirmation of the restoration's excellence was received with this M-Code winning First Place at the 2013 Vintage Thunderbird Club International (VTCI) Concours Judging event in Houston and Best in Class honors at the 2014 Keels and Wheels Concours d'Elegance in Seabrook, Texas. Extremely rare, stylish, and powerful, this M-Code 1962 Thunderbird exemplifies the time when, as celebrated rocker Bob Seger sang, "...we were making Thunderbirds!"
