1962 Ford Thunderbird

1962 Ford Thunderbird Convertible

Offered for consignment is a 1962 Ford Thunderbird Convertible in Castilian Gold for the exterior and beautiful black vinyl for the interior. 1962 was the second production year of the third generation of T-birds. Of the total production for 1962, 75,536 units were produced, only 9,844 were convertibles. This consignment comes with a detailed list of recent work done as well as its strong points the car has to offer up.

Exterior
A respray of Castilian gold for this bullet bird model, this front end has a blunt point framed by the bumper grille and hood. With a white convertible canvas top, it presents in good overall condition, has minimal areas of slight rust and a few scratches, but remains overall in very good for the factory matching respray. The mechanicals for this pop top are a marvel of engineering, as the whole long expansive trunk section, and the top become involved in the up and down operation and storage. This car was the beneficiary of a new top in 2018 and a rebuild of the mechanicals to put it up and down. When the top is down the car takes on a \" Batmobile\" look, long and strong on the lines right down to the fender skirts to accentuate the long look. 3 chromed faux jet intake appliqus adorn each exterior rear quarter panel and add to the jet look. The tail lights also emulate the jet age mantra. Cue Chuck Yeager! Chrome and bright work are correct, and in fine shape having been rechromed and now have a near concours look. Thin white sidewall tires wrap original factory hub caps with turbine styling ribs.

Interior
A swing of the doors and we are in black vinyl heaven! The door panels have black vinyl uppers and lowers with a ribbed aluminum horizontal ribbed central panel. A long sleek black armrest is in the center and the drivers side is coming loose from the door panel. We also note power window toggles and the power top toggle along with the actuator. Inside, the eating offers up with nice low back black vinyl bucket seats in front showing with tuck and roll inserts and smooth bolsters. The driver\'s seat is showing just a bit of sag on the seat. A two seater bench in the same pattern is in black. An undulating console makes its way to the dash, and houses the vinyl covered console glove box, and ashtray. Horizontal ribbed aluminum snakes its way up to the dash, and proceeds to spread out from side to side over the dash front, and houses the heater and air flow controls, light switches, logos and a very cool swing away steering wheel. Above this are 2 black vinyl winglike structures, (can you say bird?), that form the padded dash top. A speaker, radio, and 3-gauge cluster is within these swoops, and all appear in excellent condition. Below are a lineup of chromed pulls and knobs and the original steering wheel fronts the dash. Black carpeting shows a hole in the driver\'s side but is mostly intact and from the factory.

Drivetrain
As true for any restoration, plenty of attention has been paid to the engine bay. It has been fully restored, and the engine rebuild took the liberty of painting some black on the block, satin silver on the air cleaner cover, and it also shows a pair of Thunderbird badged valve covers. Nice supple shiny hoses and wiring abound here. Specs are a 300hp 390ci V8 fed by a single 4-barrel carburetor. A 3-speed Cruise-O-Matic automatic transmission is bolted to the back which sends power rearward to a Ford 9\" 3.00 geared rear. All stuffed in between wide wheel wells and shock towers in this bay!

Undercarriage
Some light surface rust is covering various parts underneath. We see a newer fuel tank, aged rust proofed floor pans and a solid unibody structure.Rear leaf springs are the back suspension, independent coil springs are in front. This along with power drum brakes on all 4 corners are noted. New shocks were added in in 2021

Drive-Ability
To the test track I fired this bullet bird up and shot through the gate. Here it had nice acceleration, smooth shifting, and good handling with only the factory clock being nonfunctional. This is a very cool car which makes the driver feel very cool, especially since you can have the top down in the middle of winter if you so desire. Nicely preserved for that Sunday drive to plow through some fossils.

A very cool retro mid century design, this 1962 offers an opportunity to own an immediately recognized classic for a wonderful price. So why not relive that fantasy of leading the \"jet set\" lifestyle, driving a \"jet age\" style automobile, flying around town, turning heads while doing so. Look up in the sky!!!...

2Y85Z148417

2-1962
Y-Wixom, MI Assy Plant
85-Thunderbird Convertible
Z-390ci 4bbl V8
148417-Sequential Unit Number

WARRANTY PLATE

BODY 76A-Thunderbird Convertible
COLOR I-Castilian Gold Poly
TRIM 76-Black/Gray Vinyl
DATE 01C-March 1st
DSO 45-Davenport
AXLE 1-Ford 9\" 3.00 Conventional
TRAN

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