Next to a real Sports Roadster, this 1962 Thunderbird Convertible might be the catalog car, the one everyone would want if all caution were thrown to the wind. It’s Rangoon Red with a red interior and white convertible top, and what could be racier in the T-Bird line? While this example is a project, the seller says that it is rust-free and has a “decent interior,” although it has been sitting in a barn since 1980. Therefore, it’s a restoration project to some degree at least, but the price isn’t too bad for a T-Bird Convertible: $9,500 or best offer (and the seller “may do some trading”). Tireless Barn Finder Curvette found it here on craigslist in Ryderwood, Washington.
Not counting the Sports Roadster, the Convertible was the rarest Thunderbird in 1962, although it was a strong seller for a ragtop at 8,457 units sold. Most Thunderbirds in 1962 carried the standard 300-horsepower 390 four-barrel, the same engine that powered thousands of Country Squires and Galaxie 500 sedans. For 1962, the air cleaner and valve covers were painted silver as can be seen in this example. Not unsurprisingly for a convertible being sold in the Pacific Northwest, this car doesn’t have air conditioning, but it is otherwise well-equipped with standard power steering, power brakes, power seat, and power windows. The ad doesn’t mention whether the 390 runs or turns, and while parts for Ford FEs aren’t too hard to find, it’s better to start with something that’s not a solid block of iron oxide. It’s something to ask the seller right off.
The interior would send out better vibes with a good cleaning, and as the seller points out, the dash pad is unexpectedly crack-free (they often crack around the speaker grille in the center). The driver’s side seat shows some tears at the upper seams, but upholstery is still available for Bullet Birds, albeit not cheaply. This image displays the standard “Swing-Away” steering wheel, which was a standard feature for 1962. It is not as convenient as a true tilt steering wheel in my opinion, but one of its benefits 64 years on is to lock the shifter in park. Many of these cars have worn shift mechanisms, but the parts for rebuilding them are available from a couple T-Bird suppliers (unfortunately, Thunderbird Headquarters has recently closed, leaving one less).
While nobody should fake a Sports Roadster and try to pass it off as real (real Sports Roadsters didn’t get their own body code until December 1961), the car will come with an aftermarket sports roadster kit should the new owner want to install it.
The car does have one dent in the passenger quarter panel (also shown here), but that is said to be the extent of the body damage. There’s no getting around the fact that sixties T-Birds are neither cheap nor easy to work on, especially in convertible form, but what do you expect from a luxury car? If you like this style of car, however, this one might be a decent value. It’s certainly one of the best-looking T-Birds of the era.
Unless the drivers side mirror has been changed to a square one , this is a ‘63 model. ‘62 had round mirrors. I drove a ‘62 in high school , hardtop. Fun car.
This is definitely a ’62, Steve. Ford squared off the front fenderwells and added character lines to the fender and door for 1963.
This is my ’63 hardtop for comparison.
I’ve had many “Bullet Birds” in my time since my first car in 1969 which was a 61 rag top Bird. From expert experience I pass on advice: Rebuild the front suspension no matter how many miles it has. They are death trap designs and the orig Ford parts are failures waiting to happen! I know from experience by flipping my 61 over and killing my best buddy sitting right next to me.
lot of red here.
Sweet start for a nice project.
WOW! If I only had the time and the money this would be my project. I can just picture how COOL it would be, love it.
Joe, be careful what you wish for. I have a friend’s 62 Sports Roadster in my back drive under cover with plywood over the open top and covers over that. The top mechanism and wiring are a nightmare. Our friend has been in and out of the hospital. The car runs well but needs a lot of work, the rust being less of an issue. He can’t do the work anymore though he was a mechanic with his own shop, now homeless living in a motor home, though now impounded. The car is the same Rangoon Red as this one.
I l8ke to buy it if its for sale
Doug, if referring to the red Sports Roadster, a very strange thing occurred. This morning, the day after remarking above about it, I looked out the window, and the front half of the cover was off. I didn’t think it was that windy and went out to check the car. Under the plywood was our friend, recently out of the hospital. I said hello and I don’t think it will start as I have not tried in a couple of months in this cold. It started right up. A half hour later a man appeared to purchase for the advertised price of $5000 in Facebook. He had at least 25 replies in the first day of post. Good for him, the buyer and for me. A couple of hours later and it was gone.