By the time the third-generation Thunderbird hit the showrooms in late 1960, it still owned the personal luxury car market. Some say the Studebaker Hawk was in that category, but not really (less than 4,000 1961 Hawks were sold versus 73,051 1961 Thunderbirds). With all new styling, the ’61 Thunderbirds have been nicknamed the “Bullet-Birds,” but I think “Rocket-Birds” are more appropriate. Their sleek, point-nosed shape with those huge, round after-burner taillights screams the space age to me. Here’s a solid survivor that’s had an interesting history and shows off the graceful styling and panache that made Thunderbirds so appealing to doctors, lawyers, and businessmen (who Ford was targeting based on their internal sales slide shows).
The seller states that the T-Bird was originally sold to a Mr. Metzger in Ohio for his daughter to drive to college in Arizona back in the 1960’s. That’s where it got most of its 84,050 original miles. The Bird was stored for many years in the Louisville, Ohio, Water Department building and has only driven a few dozen times in the last 35 years. I’m usually a bit meh about beige cars, but not this T-Bird. I really like its Honey Beige paint that accentuates the car’s lines and gives this Thunderbird a true air of elegance. I’m assuming it’s the original paint since the seller describes the car as being “extremely original.” The ‘Bird’s exterior looks very good for a 64-year-old car. I’m not seeing any rust, accident damage, or any other concerns.
The third-generation Thunderbirds have one of the coolest cockpits Detroit has ever designed. I was ten years old when I rode in my first Rocket-Bird, and sitting in the front passenger seat, I was mesmerized by the jet-set instrument panel and dash design. Overall, the interior was luxurious but didn’t feel stuffy like a Cadillac. There was some youthfulness to it and I felt I was riding in something from the future. Again, the color-coordinated beige interior looks great: elegant, stylish, and a car fitting to be in President Kennedy’s Inaugural Parade in January 1961.
The inviting beige interior appears to be in very good condition. The front bucket seats, rear bench seat, door panels, carpet, and instrument panel are nice and clean and damage-free. This Thunderbird was highly optioned when ordered and includes power steering, power brakes, power bucket seats, power windows, power locks, a Swing-Away steering wheel, as well as factory air conditioning (which was an expensive option in 1961). The seller says all the power options work but that the SelectAire air conditioning needs recharging. There are no photos supplied of the engine bay, but there is a walk around video in the post showing the car running. It’s a 390-cubic inch V8 that generated 300 horsepower when new. The seller also states that a few years ago, the ‘Bird was treated to a tune up, carburetor rebuild, the gas tank was cleaned, and the wheel cylinders were given some attention. This 1961 Thunderbird is currently nesting in Indianapolis, Indiana, and is for sale here on Facebook Marketplace for a reasonable price of $18,500. Thanks again to Terrific Ted for sending this nice old surviving ‘Bird our way.
There’s a 1962 Landau with a white top and turquoise body that resides at a shop in Indy that always has a half-dozen old cars hanging about. It’s rough but that design is so perfect in every way it’s hard to resist. It’s simultaneously delicate and powerful. I’d bet that 390 still pulls well … and gets about 12 mpg.
This is car that’s worth having on its looks alone.
This is my favorite generation of T Birds. Just look at those photos. Beautiful lines front to back, and those tailights. This would not have been my first choice for color, that is however, until I saw this one. Very beautiful. Inside and out, just beautiful.
When I was a young boy 9 to 11 years old I had an uncle that owned a used car lot in Baltimore. He always had several of these birds for sale. Being in a family of 4 kids we always had stodgy 4 door sedans, so it was a treat when uncle Roy showed up in one of these. Even better if I got to ride in it. The one that has always stuck in my mind was a black convertible with red leather interior and the continental spare tire. This is a beautiful example of one of the best looking cars from the 60’s and would be welcome in my garage if I had room.
I have one of these ’61 T-Birds. It is white with a black painted roof. I’ve owned it for….. decades. I can’t tell what powertrain it has, and the whole car feels a little plasticky to me. Nevertheless, it provided many hours of enjoyment back in the day. I’d say it is in good but not pristine condition. It now stays in storage all the time.
Why???
LOL, OK, now I see!
I have a ’61 T-Bird. It is white with a black painted roof. I have owned it for…. decades. I don’t really know what powertrain it has, and in fact the whole car seems a bit plasticky. But it provided hours of enjoyment back in the day. It now stays in storage all the time.
Very nice T bird Bob. Are you the original owner? Do you have any paperwork? The original window sticker? Repair receipts? Just kidding. Unfortunately I couldn’t even afford to have a T Bird like that either.
It gets a lot better mileage than a full-size one! But the interior space is cramped…
I noticed yours is an AMT Promo model, like those you could buy at the dealer’s parts counter back in the day! I built the kit version of this same model bone stock, with my interior the same shade of beige, and factory color of turquoise for the body.
Yes I am the original owner. I have a small collection of Promo models like this. They are well-played-with, but I did not abuse them. Thus they have survived to today.
Thinking back, I had several “careers” in the car and truck world back then. Promo cars, Matchbox cars and trucks, Tonka trucks, Hot Wheels, and 1/25 kit cars and trucks. These different “careers” at various times overlapped. Given BF’s clientele, I’m guessing many of you can make similar statements.
Id like to see your whole collection Bob!
My 56 T-Bird and 65 GTO are in the same “storage” Bob, lol.
“Well she got her daddy’s car and she cruised to the hamburger stand now, seems she forgot all about the library like she told her old man now…”
Bob, you can’t leave them sit, you gotta get them out and run them!
Watching the Goodwood Festival of Speed I love seeing Galaxies and Thunderbirds tearing around the track. I especially love how the T-Birds look stripped down for racing. With elegance and frippery stripped away and lowed on steel wheels they look mean and purposeful.
I think a rat T-Bird is in my future, manual transmission swapped, wide steel wheels, and slightly lowered.
Sacrilege to some but I think it would be a hoot. This one’s a little too nice for that though.
LOVE the 1961 T-Birds! Wish I could AFFORD this! Beige is not ordinarily my colour — but HERE, it looks ALL RIGHT! To Terrry: as I read the history of this car, the Beach Boys’ “Fun, Fun, Fun” came instantly to my mind also! Wonder why Dear Daughter lost interest in this beautiful ‘Bird after college?
Daddy bought the lil’ princess a Mustang for graduation.
What an absolute beauty! Thinking like this might help save Ford.
Thanks. That’s such a neat story. I grew up in Louisville, Ohio. The Metzgers owned and still own the local hardware store. Great store. The daughter in the story is about 10 years my senior. At that time other business people in the area purchased T-Birds. One was my baseball coach. Neat story, brings back memories.
My favorite years Thunderbird, she’s just beautiful. I wouldn’t have thought this honey beige would look so good, but it surely does. Jet age is right both inside and out. Sellers always say AC doesn’t work but just needs charging. There are numerous vac lines both inside the dash and in engine bay that dry out break and need replacing. Reasonable price for one in this condition.
As the owner of a ’63 GT Hawk, I can tell you it was unfortunate that Studebaker was stuck with their relatively narrow bodies and frames that dated to the early ’50s. In side view, the GT Hawk and this T-bird (and the ’63 Riviera for that matter) would look comparable, but from the front and rear the wider T-bird and Riviera are much better proportioned.
How in the hell do you enjoy a car in storage? Mebee just take a picture of it and hang it on the wall.
Ron, imagine as a boy, if you were able to sit inside the 1954 Ford FX Atmos.
Ron, i can just imagine your reaction to seeing your 1st 1980 thunderbird & its dash.
Years back a friend had a well used 61 Thunderbird. It was good transportation, but in not so great shape. She named it Thunderchicken. Never see one without a smile 😃.
What a beauty!
To RH FACTOR: YOU SAID IT!
“Bond, James Bond”