Each generation of the Ford Thunderbird has been given a nickname that capsules its appeal. For example, the original 1955-57 models are called the “Classic Birds” while their successors from 1958 to 1960 are referred to as “Square Birds”. So, given the shape of the third-generation cars (1961-63), they would be called the “Bullet Birds”. They are certainly the most futuristic of all the T-Birds but didn’t sell quite as well as their immediate predecessors. This 1961 Thunderbird comes across as a low-mileage (56,000) garage find that runs and drives. With a limited number of photographs, this Bird is in Templeton, California, and is available here on eBay for a flat of $18,000.
The 1961 T-Bird was the subject of a lot of fanfare. It was a big part of the presidential inauguration parade in January 1961 and paced the field at the Indianapolis 500 in May. You can also catch it in any random 1961-62 episode of the TV show, 77 Sunset Strip. It was treated to a 390 cubic inch V8 that produced 300 hp, the only powerplant offered in the personal luxury car. An automatic transmission was the only way to go, and Ford sold 73,000 of them that year (but down from a record 92,000 in 1960 when the car was little changed).
We’re not treated to a bonanza of information about this car, so it may be part of an estate sale. We only get to see it from the inside of the garage where it has lived. It has just about every creature comfort you could get in ’61 except for air conditioning. The interior looks good, though the clock isn’t working but an aftermarket AM-FM stereo is there to provide cruising tunes.
The body may be fine and the paint is an older respray and the trunk lid (at least) is showing evidence of fading. Nevertheless, what we see here looks solid. The Ford has been treated to some recent front-end work and new tires, so perhaps it’s ready to take out on the town. It even comes with a car cover should be inclined to want to use it.
If memory serves me correctly, there was a design connection between Thunderbird and the 61 Lincoln Continental. This was a Thunderbird favorite for me, Surpassed only by the 75-76 Thunderbirds. A friend had one of these. After several years and many miles, she affectionately referred to it as ThunderChicken! Ah, the name game! A special edition (c.78) will faux leather straps on trunk became known as Bondage Bird.
Ah yes, the ThunderChicken. A buddy of mine in the mid-90s had a ’90 or ’91 Thunderbird SC that was not so affectionately known as the ThunderChicken too. That car was a washing machine. Good gawd, the problems he had with that ‘bird. Add on the car payments he was making and it soon met its demise under a confounding circumstance of paint stripper and a match. Allegedly.
Shades of the early Mustang windshield on this model.
Somebody desperately wanted my parents 1958 T Bird convertible, as in no barely reasonable request was too much for the dealer to make a profit on this deal. My dad asked for and got, a 1961 T Bird hardtop with a preproduction 3-2BBL 390. Car was damn fast. Was backed into the garage and he burned all the paint off the floor when he punched it.
In 1965 I owned a ’61white convertable T-bird. What a car! I still have fond memories of that great car!
One of my first restorations, at 16 years old was a 66 Thunderbird with a 428, AC, power windows, power drum brakes and steering. This Bullit Bird checks all the options, except it’s not a factory AC car. It’s unobtanium on the West Coast anyway.
I was able to snag that style air cleaner while bone-yarding to use as wall art in my garage and studying it it always seemed to me that big ol’ FE would be starving for air like trying to gulp air through a coffee straw.