Usually, when you find a pair of cars for sale as a package deal, they’re copies of the same vehicle. In this case, they’re both Ford Thunderbirds, but not from the same generation, which greatly limits borrowing from one to fix the other. This duo of 1960 and 1962 T-Birds can be found in Indianapolis, Indiana, and is available for $17,000 OBO here on Facebook Marketplace. Hat’s off to Barn Finder Sam61 for this latest tip!
Ford had a modest hit on their hands in 1955-57 with the 2-seat Thunderbird, a personal luxury car. The company’s bean counters figured they could sell more units by adding a back seat. And they were right because the second-gen 1958-60 T-Birds outsold their predecessors by a wide margin. These are referred to now as “Square Birds,” while the 1961-63 versions earned the nickname “Bullet Birds” because of their niftier, Space Age styling.
The seller has a white coupe from 1960 and a red convertible from 1962. And the ’62 has tell-talle signs of the limited production roadser (like the cover over the rear seats). More good photos are provided of the former car, while the latter vehicle was snapped in the dark, yet it presents as the nicer vehicle. Since the seller describes both as projects, we assume neither runs, and we don’t know what it would take to rectify that.
The ’60 seems to need more work, but the ’62 drop-top would likely be more valuable when restored, especially if its a real roadster. No sheet metal is interchangeable, and the cars have different powerplants, a 352 cubic inch V8 versus a 390. You’d think the seller would have more luck unloading them separately, which may be why the cars are still on the market after three weeks.
My younger self thought the square bird to be the best after the original roadster., but I’m warming up to the style of the missile bird. With that tonneau cover and a 390 you could go Hollywood.
Sorry, but ‘61-‘63 are Bullet Birds
Always thought the 57 with a manual transmission no fender skirts was the bomb. Now that square bird being a 60 I do have a soft spot for. That’s what I took my driver’s license test in. Yes had to parallel park and the view out of that rear window is great from the driver’s seat. Always thought I might own one if I found a clean example. This one isn’t quite it. Have to agree wonder why the pair. Might be a better choice to split them up.
It has the Sports Roadster’s tonneau and wire wheels, but it’s missing the front fender emblem. Also, Sports Roadsters weren’t available with fender skirts, because they don’t clear the wheel spinners, but it appears those spinners may have been removed from the rear wheels. There is no way short of documentation to prove a Thunderbird to be a Sports Roadster, and the visuals in this case are inconclusive.
Just saw a 63 bird, mint, with a rebuilt motor for 12k…
Michael, convertible?
I have always Loved all things Thunderbird. (I have owned 5). These 2 not so much. They are going to need major $$$ to bring them up to standards.
On the 62 there is a chrome strip down the sides, which was often done by dealers after the 63 was revealed. The 63 has a body line there and many thought the chrome strip would enhance the value of the left overs. Certainly as valuable as a true Sports Roadster is today you would have thought they were in the 60’s but not so. They were significantly more expensive with their Kelsey Hayes wire wheels and the rear seat cover and most thought the cover, much like a hard top, were just something that required storing.
The cost of restoration now days is crazy compaired with just 10 years ago, paint and trim etc. Will put these at a fairly high price once finished.
I’ve learned my lesson about buying vehicles that’s been parked and sitting on dirt for prolonged periods of time. Although the seller mentions they are solid underneath I’ll bet the farm they are not. Tbirds are notorious for rust and these are no exceptions.
I’ve owned lots of Bullet Birds and am restoring a 62 convert at the moment. Those in the market for one usually will not pay attention to what is going on out in the marketplace. These cars are in a category by themselves. The owners and any clubs out there pertaining to T-bird clientele, hold their works of automobile art in a place where price and/or value just happen to be secondary. Doing it right and absolutely without customization, is the T-Bird owners’ objective and end goal. Being the “heavy weight” and usually loaded to the hilt with options that other manufacturers charge dearly for, cruising in a T-Bird can turn any driver into an eite snob amongst other lesser examples of American auto memorybilia.
That 60 is the spitting image of my 1st car, paid $75 in 69-70