1961 Ford Thunderbird

1961 Ford Thunderbird Convertible Thunderbird is the choice of the person who wants to be envied. There are other makes and models currently offered that will attract more attention, but even in car blasé Southern California the general public's reaction to the '61 Thunderbird is remarkable. As you thread your way through traffic you are at first unconscious of anything untoward happening, but you soon feel all eyes upon you, not just enviously in all instances, but sometimes downright jealousy! Car Life magazine, 1961  For consignment, a 1961 Ford Thunderbird convertible with a title verified 120,435 actual miles. This one's been owned by our consignor for 40 years, comes with a fiberglass cowling that turns the car into a two seater, and has a win under its belt from the first Radnor Concours d'Elegance.  Exterior This first year bullet bird wears a coat of two stage Corinthian White paint, accented by a top trim piece that hugs the front fender and travels all the way to the back where it tops some modest fins. The flat nosed grille is flanked by protruding chrome sides that also accent the profile while double headlights are inset in ribbed bezels that pick up on the grille bars, a few of which show some surface rust. Plenty of metalwork in the car including the ornamental spears, all four of them, or the rear fender. In back, chrome encircles the epic round tail lights then flows onto the straight bumper. 14-inch chrome wire wheels dress the car up, the rears partially obscured by the fender skirt, and a newer black canvas top and big clear plastic window top this classy convertible. Imperfections include a few bubbles down low, scratches on the chrome, and a rust through near the right tail light.   Interior Dramatic door panels include horizontal bars on the lower third and a striated band of polished trimmed aluminum under black vinyl uppers, both in nice shape with some cracking on the driver's side vinyl. They open wide to allow access to the black bucket seats with stitched inserts and in nice shape, mirrored by the rear 2+2, all over black loop carpet that shows some minor fading on the driveshaft tunnel in back as it faces the sun. Up front, a glossy black steering wheel and its metal horn ring front a fantastic instrument cluster, three protruding cylinders housing gauges, the speedometer, and a clock. Behind it, knobs of all kinds in metal under a broad, black brow of the dash pad. The ribbed mid panel, (remember the bezel?), spans the width of the dash, and wonderfully drops to form the center console in a continuous flow of ribs interrupted only by the vent lever panel. Just above it, an AM/FM radio and courtesy light. There are some wrinkles on the armrest and some tears on the door windlace trim, but overall the interior is in nice condition.    Drivetrain The bay presents cleanly and houses a 390ci V8 rated at an impressive 300 horsepower and drinking from a 4-barrel carburetor. It's mated to a Cruise-O-Matic 3-speed automatic transmission that routes power to the Ford 9 in back with 3.00 gears. Undercarriage Driver quality conditions underneath with some typical surface rust, peeling paint, and road dirt but overall clean and orderly. Power drum brakes are employed on all four wheels, and the dual exhaust finds a H-pipe, then stock style mufflers before emitting a small tailpipe. Suspension consists of coil springs up front and leaf springs in the rear.  Drive-Ability When we start her, we note a valve tap and engine miss right away, so curtail our test to a functional one and in that, note the clock and automatic top not working. All other functions inside the car and exterior lights work as they should. 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.  Of all the Thunderbirds we've represented over the years, the '61 is the least commo