![]() ![]() It does not appear that this car has ever been rusty, and the long, lean bodywork looks especially attractive with the 1963 model's unique hash marks on the doors. It's been repainted at some point, but it looks right with a creamy, soft shine that makes the Thunderbird look sophisticated. ![]() Does it make it more valuable? Hard to say, but if you like cars with stories to tell, this one really nails it.Īny "Bullet Bird" is a handsome car, and this special edition wearing standard-issue Corinthian White, which certainly seems appropriate on a car celebrating a princess. Well, in 1963, for reasons nobody really understands, Ford built 2000 special Thunderbirds to commemorate Princess Grace of Monaco, better known here in the States as Grace Kelly. You may be wondering what makes this 1963 Ford Thunderbird hardtop so special, deserving of the "special edition" and "Principality of Monaco" monikers. As a result, the Thunderbird would soon find itself upsized again and, as the 1960s ended, equipped with an extra set of doors.1 OF 2000 EVER MADE, RARE CODE 83 CAR, 390-4V V8, AUTO, COLD AC, PRICED TO MOVE ![]() Thunderbird reached its Swan Song, as Ford prepared to make room in the lineup for the upcoming sport coupe, the Mustang. (Image/OnAllCylinders – Patrick Miller)īy 1963, the third-gen. The 1961 Thunderbird was also the first car to have its rear-view mirror attached to the windshield-a feature that’s pretty much standard on cars nowadays. (Image/OnAllCylinders – Patrick Miller)įor 1961, Thunderbirds were offered in both a convertible and hardtop, but in 1962 a “Sport Roadster” package was offered that used a hard tonneau cover to conceal the rear seats of the convertible, mimicking the look of a two-seater-though it wasn’t a hot seller at the time. T-Birds could also be equipped with power windows, power seats, and air conditioning. The redesigned 1961 Thunderbird’s interior featured a handful of clever innovations-including a swingout steering wheel that lets you get into and out of the car more easily. The 390 was the only available engine from 1961-63, though starting in ’62 you could opt for a 390 equipped with a trio of Holley two-barrel carburetors that made closer to 340 hp.Ī three-speed automatic was the only transmission you could get. Since the one we spotted is a 1961 edition, under the hood likely resides Ford’s then-new 390ci FE big block engine good for around 300 horsepower. Note how the fender and bumper meet to form a point up front-a styling trait that earned these third-gen. Thunderbird was not only tapped as the Pace Car for the 1961 Indianapolis 500, it was also used in the inauguration parade for President John F. We know it’s a 1961, thanks to the horizontal side trim pieces on the rear flank, the shape of the taillights, and the horizontal grille treatment up front. So yeah, even though the Thunderbird nameplate itself was less than ten years old, it was already in its third generation-one the earned the nickname “Bullet Bird” thanks to its long pointed “beak” up front. (Image/OnAllCylinders – Patrick Miller)ġ961 marked the first year of the T-Bird’s third generation that spanned from 1961-63. Here’s a good look at the quartet of horizontal flutes on the Thunderbird’s rear flanks and the unique taillight design that immediately tell us this is a 1961 model. We spotted this 1961 Ford Thunderbird convertible in the Summit Racing Retail Store near Akron, Ohio. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |