1962 Ford Thunderbird Convertible
The 1962 Ford Thunderbird design gave us the "bullet bird" with its rounded to a point front end to the twin turbine rear tail lights. We were firmly into the jet age, beehive hairdos, fedora wearing, pipe smoking suburban dads, and the white picket fence surrounding the New England style house. With its recently added second row, the Thunderbird continued its appeal to a wider audience but was still considered a personal luxury vehicle.
For consignment, a 1962 Ford Thunderbird convertible showing 84,720 miles, but the true miles are unknown. This car was the recipient of restorative measures over a number of years and receipts dated 1996 to 2017 will accompany the car as documentation of the work.
Exterior
Having only recently departed from the '50, many early '60's cars ascribed to the more chrome is better ideology and this '62 Thunderbird is fronted by an at once simple and complex fascia with a grille that reminiscent of the '58 Riviera, with rows of individual squares taking up the air intake area and bold chrome borders serving as the frame. In back, a long stretch of straight chrome connects the rocket influenced afterburner tail lights which are also rimmed in the reflective stuff. Viking Blue, a lighter shade of blue, covers the car which in profile, is indeed shaped like a long bullet and the side body molding and decorative trim on the rear quarter panel suggest movement and energy while the fender skirts offer better airflow at speed. The dark blue canvas top is in great shape and sports a large rear plastic window, and the 14-inch chrome wire wheels are in very good condition. Imperfections include cracked paint, chips, as well as pitted and peeling chrome.
Interior
The attractive door panels with varying linear designs and shades of blue are quintessential 1960's and the mid panel contains electric window switches, surely a luxury in '62. Colors and texture meld seamlessly into the dash where three main gauges intersect dark blue and light blue and chrome knobs on a ribbed panel is pure period. That ribbed panel not only spans the width of the dash, but waterfalls widely onto the center console, interrupted only by the climate panel. Perched up high in the center is an AM/FM/Cassette radio with a contoured backplate, and the blue steering wheel wears a half circle horn ring and while not pristine, the conditions on the dash are certainly show worthy! The blue vinyl buckets in front show some discoloration, probably from exposure to the sun, but the rear seats maintain their uniform light blue coverage. Blue loop carpet covers the floor and plaid mats dress the floor in the trunk which opens in reverse to allow the top to be stowed.
Drivetrain
Under the hood, which opens in the traditional way, we find a clean 390ci V8, rated at a respectable 300 horsepower and fueled by a single 4-barrel carburetor. It's mated to a Cruise-O-Matic 3-speed automatic that sends power to the Ford 9" rear and 3.00 gears. Power brakes are supplied and are configured as drums on all four wheels.
Undercarriage
Clean driver quality underneath with some surface rust, a light film of oil on the transmission pan, but no visible leaks. The dual exhaust hits an H-pipe and then finds stock style mufflers in back which emit a small tailpipe behind the bumper. Suspension is standard here, with coil springs in front and leaf springs in the back.
Drive-Ability
The lean and low convertibles in Thunderbird form provide the ultimate cruising seating position and ride. With 300 horsepower underfoot, this Thunderbird accelerates like a Peregrine in a dive, and by that we mean quickly. With a long nose in front and flat back behind, it's a little like driving a fancy soap box derby car, only with all of the bells and whistles you could expect in a mid 60's luxury car. And this well sorted car scored 100 on the functionality test as we glided back into the eyrie. While Classic Auto Mall represents that these functions were working at the time of our test drive, we cannot guarantee these functions will be working at the time of your purchase.
The 60's Thunderbirds are the unsung heroes of the collector world. Baby birds are iconic classics, and modern birds provide, well, modernity. But the unique style and profile of birds like this 1962 are more frequently making "best bet" lists throughout the collector market and the more distance we gain from that period of time, the cooler these cars look! Be sure to check out this Viking Blue example soon.
2Y85Z145829
2-1962
Y-Wixom, MI Assy Plant
85-Thunderbird Convertible
Z-390ci 4bbl 300hp V8
145829-Sequential Unit Number
WARRANTY PLATE
BODY 76A-Thunderbird Convertible
COLOR E-Viking Blue
TRIM 52-Blue Vinyl
DATE 20B-February 20th
DSO 15-Newark
AXLE 1-Ford 9" 3.00 Conventional
TRANS 4-Cruise O Matic
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8 acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person. There is no guarantee of mileage. A $299 Dealer Administrative fee is not included in the advertised price.
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