Unibody T-Birds, especially hardtops, are undervalued. I can say that because I own one and I’d never be able to sell it for the amount of money I’ve peeled off in my efforts to make it a reliable driver. Because of this marketplace frigidity, however, an average guy like me can buy and enjoy a car that only the swankiest among us could afford back in the early 1960s. This 1962 model is another example of how much car four-figures can get you these days, at least if you’re not looking for an investment.
Being a unibody car, which was built on the same line in Wixom as the completely different Lincoln Continental, it’s important to look underneath any T-Bird you’re interested in. The seller of this one has included several pictures of the undercarriage to assuage any concerns from keyboard buyers, along with several videos of the car idling and driving, which is a rare treat on a Craigslist ad.
The trunk is also solid, but it will need some trimmings for those who want their car to look a little more factory-fresh. I know from experience that parts availability for Bullet Birds is decent, but it’s not like buying parts for a Mustang. The price of entry is low, but the price of maintenance? Not as much.
The advertisement is thorough, but it is missing good wide-angle pictures of the interior or any pictures of the engine. The videos provide both, but the seller does mention that the interior could use some upgrades, and the paint could use some “correction.” One of the best facets of a Bullet Bird is the spectacular interior; it’s a production car that looks like a concept.
On the engine side, one of the seller’s videos shows that the big 390 (with correct silver valve covers) idles well and doesn’t make any strange noises.
Aside from that, the power brakes are not operational, so you’ll need to budget for a power booster rebuild. There are several reliable outfits around the country who do that sort of work, but it will cost a few hundred dollars. Plus, extracting the booster from the car (from experience) requires some patience and flexibility (in other words, brush up on your yoga).
You may also have to find a set of matching wheel covers, but on the plus side, you can compare them to see which style you’d prefer. Regardless, this T-Bird is currently for sale on Craigslist and is located at the seller’s summer home in Maine. They’re asking $8500 or trade for an early Mustang convertible. Thanks to T.J. for finding this ‘Bird.
Aaron,
Really nice write up by a fellow T Bird caretaker.
Good for you, laboring to preserve your own T Bird.
It is a job that is never done – there right now with my
T-rino.
I am scratching my head on this because it seems like a really great value, and plain old inexpensive.
$8,500. ?
Rust Free, Trunk in nice shape … Well worth further inspection .
All Classics are “starter kits” because old parts wear out … and unexpected things happen!
Really like this one – thanks for a great deeper dive for the rest of us.
Hope this goes to a patient caregiver, for like a Father-Son project maybe.
“…job that is never done.”
My wife and I owned, until recently, a 1930s vintage two story commercial building (store below/house above). Work was always ongoing on it. When people would ask how it was going, my standard reply was: “It is essentially death by a thousand cuts.”
Looks like a heck of a deal.
Great price
Yes it is a beauty and good value.
If it goes down the road and stops somewhat the price is realistic, cuz done it will bring $ into the 20 and 30K range. I am a bullet bird collector and just finding one complete and running is most of the work, I don’t have any more room, so I hate to, but I’m letting this deal pass. Good luck to the next owner. It’s a great deal, but once you sit in it you won’t remember what you paid for it anyway. My only advice is REBUILD THE SUSPENSION FIRST!
At the very least, upgrade the idler arm to the ’64 version (and in my opinion, even THAT one isn’t that good).
Beautiful Bullet Bird and very fairly priced. Yeah that power brake booster is in a very tight space to work on in these cars. Does the replacement boosters for Mustangs work on these or do you have to have them rebuilt? Didn’t see that it came with factory AC or not, rather hard since there are no engine pics included. I did see it is a AC car
It is a factory AC car according to the ad. I didn’t look into it carefully, but I don’t think a Mustang booster will be a direct fit.