After a very successful transition to a 4-seat personal luxury car in 1958, the Ford Thunderbird was redesigned again in 1961. That generation (1961-63) earned the nickname “Bullet Bird” due to its rocket-like space age styling, including taillights that resemble the south end of a northbound missile. This 1961 edition was apparently a restoration-in-process when it was damaged in shipping. The seller has the parts to set things straight, but doesn’t have the heart for it. Located in Seattle, Washington, this banged-up bird is available here on craigslist for $4,350.
The seller said this white-over-turquoise T-Bird was freshly painted before it was damaged in transport. The principal damage was to the driver’s side front fender and hood, yet the photos provided point to the other areas of the car, so we don’t know how bad things are. But whatever got bent up is backed by replacements that the buyer can supposedly install and repaint to match.
Under the hood is a running and rebuilt 390 cubic inch V8, plus an automatic transmission, with an odometer sitting at 97,000 miles. The front brakes have been converted to discs that are said to have come from a Mustang. The car may have two sets of whitewall tires, the ones on the rig and new ones yet to be pressed into service. The bumpers are said to be good, but we don’t get to see them.
If anything is missing that will be needed to finish the restoration, the seller is unaware (I guess he bought the Ford as a work-in-progress). While the seller would prefer to unload the T-Bird as a whole vehicle, he/she is not opposed to parting things out. So, send him your list if you don’t want the entire car. Our thanks to “Curvette” for another wild tip.
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