Ford Thunderbird (third generation)

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Ford Thunderbird
Third Generation
1962 Ford Thunderbird (14348366760) (cropped).jpg
1962 Ford Thunderbird
Overview
Manufacturer Ford Motor Company
Production1961–1963
AssemblyUnited States: Wixom Assembly Plant, Wixom, Michigan
Designer Bill Boyer
Body and chassis
Class Personal luxury car
Body style
Layout Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive
Chassis unibody
Powertrain
Engine 390 cu in (6.4 L) FE V8 [1]
406 cu in (6.7 L) FE V8 [1]
427 cu in (7.0 L) FE V8 [1]
Transmission 3-speed Cruise-O Matic MX automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase 113.2 in (2,875 mm) [2]
Length205 in (5,207 mm)
Width75.9 in (1,928 mm) [2]
Chronology
Predecessor Ford Thunderbird (second generation)
Successor Ford Thunderbird (fourth generation)

The third generation of the Ford Thunderbird is a personal luxury car produced by Ford for the 1961 to 1963 model years. It featured new and much sleeker styling (done by Bill Boyer) [3] than the second generation models. Sales were strong, if not quite up to record-breaking 1960, at 73,051 including 10,516 convertibles. A new, larger 390 cu in (6.4 L) FE-series V8 was the only engine available (in 1961). The Thunderbird was 1961's Indianapolis 500 pace car, [4] and featured prominently in US President John F. Kennedy's inaugural parade, probably aided by the appointment of Ford executive Robert McNamara as Secretary of Defense. [5]

Contents

1961

1961 Ford Thunderbird interior with "Swing-Away" steering wheel 1961 Ford Thunderbird convertible (5410149212).jpg
1961 Ford Thunderbird interior with "Swing-Away" steering wheel

The Thunderbird for 1961 introduced several firsts for the automotive market. The most distinctive feature of the 1961 to 1963 Thunderbirds was the highly touted 'Swing Away' steering wheel. [6] [7] With the steering column installed transmission gear selector in the park position the steering wheel would slide approximately 18 inches (460 mm) to the right allowing the driver to exit the vehicle easily. To prevent accidents, this disabled the gear selector until the steering wheel was returned to the center position. Other innovations include a floating rear view mirror, directly attached to the inside of the windshield. Several standard features, such as power steering and power brakes, back up lights, and bucket seats, were costly options on most other automobiles of the time. Model options included air conditioning, power windows, power seats, AM radio, fender skirts, and white wall tires.

In luxury and performance, the third generation Thunderbird briefly saw competition from the Studebaker Avanti, [8] before its production ended in 1963. [1] The Chrysler 300G was also a powerful personal luxury car rival during 1961.

For 1961 the listed retail price, before optional equipment, was US$4,170 ($42,517 in 2023 dollars [9] ). A total of 62,535 were built. [1]

1962

1962 Ford Thunderbird Landau coupe 1962 Ford Thunderbird (21902845662).jpg
1962 Ford Thunderbird Landau coupe

The 1962 model year saw strong sales figures of 78,011 units (including 9,884 convertibles).

A high performance option for 1962 added "tripower" - three two barrel carburetors - to a higher compression version of the 390 engine. It used 406 heads as well as the same carburetors that were found on the high performance 406 powered Ford Galaxie, but with a modified version of the intake manifold to allow for proper air flow under the engine. This special engine code (VIN engine code M) option was quietly discontinued halfway through the mid 1963 production run.

Also introduced in 1962 was the Landau model, with a vinyl roof and simulated S-bars on the rear pillars. This was the beginning of the 1960s/1970s fashion for vinyl roof treatments,[ citation needed ] and a vinyl roof remained a popular Thunderbird feature for the next 20 years.

1962 Ford Thunderbird Sports Roadster 62 Ford Thunderbird Sports Roadster (9128421874).jpg
1962 Ford Thunderbird Sports Roadster

In addition, the 1962 model year saw the introduction of the Thunderbird Sports Roadster, a limited production version of the convertible which added 48 spoke Kelsey-Hayes designed wire wheels, special badges to the front fenders and a passenger side grab bar to the front dashboard. The most striking addition to the Sports Roadster was a fiberglass tonneau cover which covered the back seat of the car and created a two seater appearance. 1,427 Sports Roadsters were produced in 1962, including 120 models with the special M Code option. Early models suffered from problems related to their specially-designed wire wheels. The problem was quickly corrected when Elvis Presley was involved in an accident in which one of the Kelsey-Hayes wheels collapsed during hard turning. [10]

1963

1963 Ford Thunderbird Landau Ford Thunderbird Marylebone 1.jpg
1963 Ford Thunderbird Landau

Changes for 1963 were relatively mild. An AM radio and a remote driver's side mirror became standard, while vacuum assisted door locks and an AM/FM radio were added as options.

That year's sale numbers were somewhat down, at 63,313 units. The Landau became the second most important model after the standard hardtop, at 12,193 sold. Landaus added simulated wood grain interior trim to go along with the landau top. In addition, a Limited Edition "Principality of Monaco" Landau model was introduced. This Maroon vinyl roof with Corinthian White exterior body with a white leather interior, dark red carpeting with rosewood dashboard applique instead of the stainless steel insert was personalized with a plaque displaying the owner's name and the car's limited production number, was limited to and sold only 2,000 units. [1] Only 5,913 convertibles and 455 Sports Roadsters sold, indicating a decline in convertible popularity at the time.

Production totals

YearProduction [11]
196173,051
196278,011
196363,313
Total214,375

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References

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  5. "These Are The Cars That JFK Owned As President". HotCars. 2021-05-01. Retrieved 2021-08-26.
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