Vehicle Description
The Square 'Bird was out, and the Bullet 'Bird was born in 1961 and
the Jet Age kicked into high gear. If you're a fan, then this
awesome 1961 Ford Thunderbird hardtop will certainly appeal to you.
Spectacularly restored all out of proportion to its value, it's one
of the best hardtop 'Birds we've seen in years.
These cars are suddenly seeing some big gains in the market and we
have to admit that the practicality and beauty of the hardtop has
really made this car grow on us. It's just gorgeous! OK, so the car
was originally Raven black, but it was recently refinished in
sizzling bright red that looks great on the sleek Thunderbird
bodywork. It shines up beautifully and has that classic early-60s
look, making it easy to imagine this car on the streets of Miami or
L.A. back in the day, going someplace glamorous. All the trim was
recently re-chromed, a pricey proposition for a car with this much
brightwork, but you'll surely agree that the grille, bumpers, and
particularly those side streaks on the rear quarters are what
really make this car special. The Thunderbird badges still have
simulated turquoise inlays to tie it to its heritage, and the
fender skirts make it look long, low, and sleek. There's just no
angle from which this car doesn't look like a million bucks.
The matching code 55 red interior gives this Bullet 'Bird a
sophisticated look. The upholstery is new, including seat covers,
carpets, and door panels, all of which replicate the original stuff
in an authentic way. The big news in '61 was the addition of the
"swing away" steering wheel, which moves the wheel inboard when you
pull the shifter handle towards you, making ingress and egress a
snap. Other firsts for the '61 Thunderbird include the floating
rear-view mirror, which may seem commonplace today, but this was
the first time it was seen in public. The seats are firm and
comfortable, and as Ford's top-of-the-line personal luxury car,
this 'Bird is loaded with options like power windows and a power
driver's seat. The wide center console has slick storage in the
center and it neatly divides the front seat area into two
symmetrical cockpits that are ultra-stylish, even today. Few cars
can rival the big 'Bird's road manners, making it an ideal choice
for long road trips, particularly with the massive trunk that
includes a full-sized spare tire, just in case.
A 390 cubic inch V8 was the only choice in '61, and as far as we
can tell, this is the car's original, numbers-matching powerplant.
It's been extensively detailed to look authentic, although the
chrome valve covers are a bit of an upgrade that wasn't on the menu
in '61. However, the big air cleaner is correct, the expansion tank
on the cooling system is pure 1960s Ford performance, and there's
even a solvent bag mounted on the inner fender. In fact, please
check out how clean those inner fenders are and how thorough the
repaint was, since everything shines up well. Underneath it's
clean, but not detailed for show and you can see that the car has
led an easy life. A new dual exhaust system gives it a fantastic
sound, the gas tank has been recently replaced, there are new
bushings in the suspension, and it rides on a set of gorgeous
chrome wire wheels with wide whitewall radials for a classic
look.
This Thunderbird represents a ton of first-class sheetmetal for not
a lot of cash. You haven't lived until you've had a Thunderbird in
your garage. Call today!
